Good Practice - Project
Bringing native biodiversity back into intensive farmland through farmer-led ecological restoration
Lithuanian farmers and researchers restored biodiversity in intensive farmland using native wildflower landscapes adapted to local ecological and farming conditions.
General information
RDP Priority
- P4. Ecosystems management
RDP Focus Area
- 4A: Biodiversity restoration, preservation & enhancement
RDP Measure
- M16: Cooperation
Beneficiary type
- Operational group
Summary
This Lithuanian EIP Operational Group (OG) restored biodiversity in intensively farmed landscapes by reintroducing native herbaceous plant species into field margins, flowering strips and other ecological landscape elements. Led by the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry together with farmers and advisors, the initiative combined scientific knowledge with practical field-scale implementation.
Native grasses and wildflowers sourced from Lithuania’s Plant Gene Bank were adapted to local soils and farming conditions to support pollinators, improve ecological balance and strengthen soil resilience. Demonstration sites across several regions showed how biodiversity-friendly landscape management can work in both intensive and less intensive agricultural systems.
Such good practice offers useful insights into how CAP support can reconnect productive farming with ecological restoration through practical, low-maintenance solutions. It also highlights the value of cooperation between researchers, advisors and farmers in creating locally adapted biodiversity measures that are scalable, transferable and rooted in regional genetic resources.
Results
- More than 10 hectares of ecologically valuable landscape elements were restored or established using over 50 native plant species adapted to Lithuanian conditions.
- Farmer awareness of biodiversity-friendly management also increased through practical demonstration activities and field-based knowledge exchange.
- Growing interest in local native seed production formed another important OG result.
- Wider significance comes from showing that biodiversity restoration can become a practical and manageable component of productive agriculture rather than a separate environmental obligation.
Promoter
Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry*
* The Project promoter/beneficiary is an EIP-AGRI Operational Group ©
Funding
RDP support: 183 444 (EUR)
EAFRD: 27 517 (EUR)
National/Regional: 155 927 (EUR)
Topics
Resources
Links
Context
European biodiversity losses across agricultural landscapes have become an increasingly key topic for CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs) and wider environmental policy discussions. Intensive farming systems, larger field structures, drainage, pesticide hazards and the decline of semi-natural habitats have contributed to major reductions in pollinators, farmland birds and native plant diversity. More productive farming areas now contain limited ecological infrastructure capable of supporting resilient agroecosystems.
The EU’s Nature Restoration Law and other such citizen standards have increased attention on restoring biodiversity directly within working agricultural landscapes. This has created growing interest in flowering strips, buffer zones, species-rich grasslands and other ecological landscape elements that can support ecosystem services while remaining compatible with productive farming.
At the same time, concern is growing about the loss of locally adapted plant genetic resources. Commercial wildflower mixtures used for ecological restoration are often imported and may not be well-suited to regional conditions. Many Member States are therefore exploring how native species and local ecotypes can contribute more effectively to biodiversity restoration and climate resilience.
Lithuania reflects many of these wider European challenges, particularly in intensively farmed regions where ecological habitats have declined significantly. This context connects biodiversity protection, agroecological transition and conservation of genetic resources with practical farm management and nature-based solutions that support long-term environmental resilience within modern agricultural systems.
Objectives
The project’s OG was formed to bring together researchers, farmers, advisors and seed specialists around a shared need to restore biodiversity in intensive farmland using practical approaches based on native Lithuanian plant species and real farming conditions.
A central ambition involved restoring ecologically valuable landscape features using native species adapted to local agricultural environments. Improving habitat availability for pollinators and beneficial organisms formed an important part of this approach.
Another objective focused on conserving local plant genetic resources through the practical use of species preserved within Lithuania’s Plant Gene Bank. Increasing ecological resilience and reducing environmental pressures linked to intensive land management were also important aims.
Attention was also given to improving farmers' understanding of biodiversity-friendly landscape management and to creating practical approaches suited to commercial farming conditions.
This good practice OG further aimed to support wider EU priorities linked to biodiversity restoration, agroecological transition and climate resilience objectives across Europe.
Activities
Implementation started in early 2023 with preparation work focused on selecting native herbaceous species suitable for restoring ecologically functional landscape elements within agricultural areas. Species and local varieties were chosen according to soil conditions, farming intensity and ecological purpose. Seed material was sourced from Lithuania’s Plant Gene Bank to strengthen the use of native genetic resources and preserve local ecotypes.
Different plant mixtures were developed for flowering strips, buffer zones and semi-natural grasslands intended to support pollinators, soil protection and wider biodiversity functions. Particular attention was placed on creating low-maintenance mixtures capable of being integrated practically into productive farming systems.
Demonstration sites were established at five locations, including four commercial farms in Kėdainiai, Pasvalys and Alytus districts, together with one experimental site managed by the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. The selected sites represented different soil types, drainage conditions and farming systems, allowing approaches to be tested under varied agricultural conditions.
Knowledge exchange formed an important part of the OG work programme. Field days, seminars and roundtable discussions brought together farmers, agronomists, researchers, seed producers and advisors to discuss species selection, biodiversity management and ecological restoration methods. An early field event in Akademija introduced the initiative to farming stakeholders and highlighted the importance of restoring non-productive ecological areas within farmland.
Additional dissemination activities during 2024 included specialist discussions on Lithuanian grass species, practical demonstrations on perennial native grasses and seminars linked to Agrovizija 2024 focusing on pollinators and biodiversity. Regional field events in the Pasvalys district enabled farmers and scientists to jointly evaluate trial plots and discuss practical management experiences directly in the field.
International dissemination also formed part of the activities. Results were presented during an EU CAP Network cross-visit in Romania alongside other OGs focused on biodiversity and pollinator protection.
The work concluded with a closing conference and publication of an open-access guide titled Selection of Native Plant Species for Landscape Grasslands, containing practical species profiles and recommendations for future use.
Main results
- Pollinators, insects and other beneficial organisms returned to restored areas, helping improve ecological balance within agricultural landscapes. Native plant mixtures also contributed to soil protection and supported lower-input management approaches through reduced maintenance requirements and lower dependence on chemical inputs.
- Practical understanding was strengthened among farmers and advisors. Demonstration farms became visible examples showing that biodiversity measures can function successfully within commercial farming systems without disrupting agricultural productivity.
- CAP funds here helped restore or create more than 10 hectares of ecologically valuable landscape elements across demonstration farms and research sites using over 50 native plant species adapted to Lithuanian conditions. Flowering strips, grasslands and buffer zones increased habitat diversity within intensively farmed areas and strengthened ecological connectivity between fragmented habitats.
- Results also stimulated interest in developing local native seed production capacity. Reliance on imported wildflower mixtures had previously limited the wider use of locally adapted species in ecological restoration. By highlighting the value of Lithuanian genetic resources, the OG opened new discussions around domestic seed supply chains and regional biodiversity conservation.
- Knowledge exchange outcomes expanded significantly during implementation. More than 300 participants attended field days, seminars and conferences involving researchers, advisors, seed producers and farmers. Cooperation established between these actors continues to support peer learning and future biodiversity initiatives beyond the original project timeframe.
Key lessons
- Ecological restoration measures become more practical and attractive for farmers when solutions are adapted to local landscapes, climatic conditions and farming systems.
- The use of native Lithuanian species created resilient, functional plant communities that required relatively little maintenance once established.
- Acknowledge the value of demonstration farms as peer-learning environments. Farmers responded positively when they could observe biodiversity measures operating under real commercial conditions and discuss management issues directly with other farmers and researchers.
- Biodiversity protection can create opportunities beyond environmental benefits alone. Interest in native seed production revealed potential for new local supply chains linked to ecological restoration and agroecological innovation.
- Close cooperation between science, advisory services and farming communities strengthened both credibility and uptake. Combining research knowledge with practical field experience helped create solutions that were scientifically robust and workable within productive agricultural systems.
Together with my father, we created a stone pile and planted native wildflowers around it. Soon, bees, beetles and even foxes returned. It brought life back to the farm and changed how I see it.
As a researcher, it was inspiring to work directly with farmers and see native plant species thriving in real field conditions.
For me, as a female farmer, this project was a great opportunity to contribute to ecological innovation and show that sustainable farming is possible at scale.