Making peatland use more sustainable

Peat formation

The wetland forests and peat marshes of the past have become a unique Dutch cultural landscape: the peat meadows. Peat is really nothing more than organic matter consisting of tree and plant residues that have been accumulating over thousands of years into dense layers that can often be several metres thick. Drainage introduces oxygen into this package of layers, which causes the peat to decompose, in turn resulting in more organic matter being broken down than is brought in by grass cultivation.

Towards clean and biodiverse maize cultivation

Future, nature-inclusive dairy farming

Maize fits well into an agricultural system that focuses on maximum milk production per cow and per hectare. As a result, silage maize is the main arable crop in the Netherlands, in terms of acreage. But this also creates problems, such as the way this affects the landscape, N emissions to groundwater, use of herbicides, and the deterioration of soil quality and biodiversity. In our view, these problems related to silage maize cultivation must and can be greatly reduced, without maize losing its agricultural value.

Positive Health and Living Environment

The Louis Bolk model for Positive Health and Living Environment 

This is an expansion of the Positive Health model, which is an individual conversation tool, towards a more holistic approach for health in relation to the living environment, like a neighbourhood (see Figure). For bodily functions, this could be cycling lanes and sports facilities. For mental functions and perception, this could be a reduction of noise and more connection with the neighbourhood. Moreover, for daily functioning this could be information and shopping amenities.

Improved pollination and climate adaptation in fruit production

Bee species respond differently to certain weather conditions 

Research shows that honey bees fly and, therefore, also pollinate well if the weather is fine. However, they may be absent in cold or inclement weather. Certain wild bees, however, like bumblebees and mason bees, will continue to fly under such conditions. This is why some fruit growers specifically focus on managing mason bees, while others choose to increase the numbers of wild mining bees, who also fly at the time the fruit-bearing vegetation is flowering.  

Mixed cropping in Dutch arable farming

An example of mixed cropping is that of wheat in combination with a legume. This enhances diversity in the crop rotation system, acts as a weed suppressant, make the wheat less prone to lodging, increases the protein yield and improves soil diversity and soil function. There is ample scientific evidence for the benefits of mixed cropping. The EU-funded project Remix (2017-2021) focuses on how mixed cropping can be applied in practice.

Research and living labs complementary care

Effectiveness studies complementary care 

Users and care provider of homeopathic, anthroposophical and natural treatments benefit from having scientifically proven, ‘evidence-based’ medicine and treatments. The use of such complementary alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing. Patients often take the initiative themselves in looking for CAM treatments as patients increasingly take more ownership of their own healing process. Due to our ample experience in CAM research, we often are asked to perform these independent effectiveness studies.

Combining the management of field and ditch margins and embankments

Combining functions

Agriculture in the Netherlands is facing multiple challenges; from restoring and conserving biodiversity to improving water quality. In addition, sufficient healthy and good quality foods need to be produced. It is therefore important to combine various functions. In this project, we are studying how as many functions as possible could be utilised through the effective management of ditch and field margins. 

Development of a Biodiversity Monitor for Arable Farming

Biodiversity in arable farming

Biodiversity in arable farming is a challenge. Many farmers want to work on restoring biodiversity in arable areas, but the current economic system is slowing this down. The Arable Farming Industry Association, the World Wildlife Fund, Rabobank, and the Province of Groningen want to change this by facilitating financial rewards for investing in biodiversity. The Louis Bolk Institute is working together with Wageningen University and BoerenNatuur on the development of a system to reward farmers for biodiversity, without imposing strict measures.

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