„Spessart“ field project of Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences reaches final stage of the 2020 EU-Natura 2000 Award

Abstract

For the first time, a field project run by Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences has reached the finals of the 2020 European Natura 2000 award. Just as special as the project’s presence among the finalists in the Communication category has been the initial concept of the Spessart project. This field study was designed in close cooperation with specialist and municipal authorities, and local inhabitants, and was conducted in sites of communal and city forests in the Main-Spessart district. Over a period of 17 years, student groups focused on three overarching survey parameters, which were in accordance with the working instructions of the Bavarian State Institute of Forestry: Presence of Natura 2000 habitats, habitat structures, and Fauna (with a particular focus on value-adding bird species and bats). The evaluations of each parameter were carried out separately and then combined into an overall evaluation. Following the data analysis and evaluation phase, recommendations for optimizations and subsidies were made. The final results were presented to interested local people, authorities and the press. This information could inform and support grant and subsidy applications for nature and forest conservation efforts.