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Schlei pilot projectResearchers and farmers work together for water protection

Lasse Johannsen

 · 24.02.2025

Schlei pilot project: researchers and farmers work together for water protectionPhoto: YACHT/Nico Krauss
Classic yacht at the Schleimünde lighthouse. Research into water protection was carried out in this region, the results of which have now been analysed and published
Scientists from Kiel's Christian-Albrechts-Universität have published their report on the "Schlei model project". According to the report, the research project showed how agriculture can use various methods to reduce the use of fertilisers and pesticides while maintaining the same yields, thereby reducing nutrient inputs into water bodies.

According to the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Environment, the effects of hybrid farming - a mixture of organic and conventional arable farming - and so-called in-field segregation - small areas of fallow land for nature conservation - were tested under practical conditions in the field trial using the 90/10 model.

Three years, 30 participating companies

Over a period of three years and with the support of 30 agricultural businesses, various approaches to reducing nutrient inputs from agriculture in the Schlei region were analysed. The result was that there are effective ways of reducing crop protection and fertilisation to protect water bodies.

The reason for the project was the persistently poor environmental status of the Schlei, which is designated as a flora-fauna habitat and EU bird sanctuary along its entire length. The findings should now help to minimise nutrient inputs in all Baltic Sea regions, from which the inland sea has been suffering for some time.

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