FELD 1/2025

PROF. FRANK EWERT talks about ZALF in the desert, LAND-INNOVATION-LAUSITZ, and Lusatia as a model region. A scientist and a farmer join forces to sing the praises of the queen of forage crops. Selected plants are intended to provide food for humans and animals as well as enable efficient use of energy and fiber. Using algorithms, drones, satellites, and other technology, researchers want to put together the Lusatia landscape puzzle. If the researchers at ZALF have their way, truffles will soon be known and loved as the black gold of Lusatia.

Other LIL Projects The

Other LIL Projects The annual meetings of the project partners are a welcome opportunity for exchange and joint idea development. PRODUCING BIO-BASED AGRICULTURAL FOIL Agricultural foils are indispensable in modern agriculture, but they are not biodegradable. The aim of the Intelligent Agricultural Foils project is therefore to develop innovative foils made from protein-rich plant extracts. These agricultural foils are completely biodegradable and can simply be plowed into the soil after harvest. This way, they do not pollute the environment with microplastics and at the same time contribute to improving the nutrient content of the soil. EARLY DETECTION OF PLANT DISEASES The AgriNose team wants to use novel affinity sensors to detect plant diseases in crops (using winter rye as trial crop) and mixed infections before the first visual symptoms appear. Initial results are promising. LINKING TWO ECONOMIC SECTORS The LIL-KliBioTo project team combines bioeconomy and tourism. The researchers analyze regional land use and develop measures adapted to climate change. They use drone images with thermal imaging cameras to analyze the cooling effect of trees, forests, hedges as well as rivers, and surveyed bicycle 36

Other LIL Projects tourists about their preferences regarding the design of bike paths. All this information is being incorporated into the development of the first climate change-adapted bike path in Germany. TESTING PLANNING TOOLS Geodesign was tested as a participatory and transdisciplinary planning tool for the transformation of post-mining landscapes. Using the town of Welzow as an example, joint land use concepts and ideas for a resilient post-mining landscape were developed. The feedback was incorporated into the further development of the LIL strategy and project design. NOMINATING THE POST-OPENCAST MINING LANDSCAPE AS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE Since 2020, the vision has been to have the Lusatian post-opencast mining landscape (PML) recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lusatian PML stands for change, recultivation, and innovation—but also for challenges such as resettlement, loss of identity, and the interplay between renewable energies and cultural heritage. Regardless of whether it receives World Heritage status, the project findings will be used for the development of Lusatia. PRESERVING THE LUSATIAN IDENTITY Many people in Lusatia fear the loss of both jobs and parts of their regional identity due to the phase-out of coal mining. LIL-PARTIKUL documents the tangible and intangible history of mining in the region and links it to a sustainable future. This includes recording significant places and traditions of Lusatian mining, a guide to protecting identity-forming locations and their meaningful reuse—with a focus on bioeconomy instead of vacant spaces. A NEW AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION CENTER IN LUSATIA The project team is developing a blueprint for a regional information center that will advise and connect agricultural businesses, relevant institutions, and stakeholders in the region on climate-adapted land use and the challenges of structural and climate change. In the future, the center will also serve as a hub for the bioeconomy and a place for land-use related exchange in Lusatia. 37