Feldhamster in Maintal: Together for the preservation of the species

Feldhamster in Maintal: Together for the preservation of the species

In the Main-Kinzig district there is a worrying development: the field hamster, an important part of the local ecosystem, is threatened with extinction. All the more important is the initiative that farmers in the region include in the preservation of its habitat. This collaboration shows how nature and land use compatibility can work in an industrial environment.

nature and agriculture hand in hand

The increasing industrialization of agriculture has a striking effect on the wildlife. The field hamster is threatened by factors such as road construction and new development areas that cut and destroy its habitats. In order to counteract this trend, numerous farmers have become active in and around Maintal to stabilize the population of this rodent. Manfred Sattler, area supervisor in Feldhamsterland, emphasizes that the support from the farmers is decisive for the preservation of this kind.

hazard from various influences

The causes of the decline in the field hamster are complex. A study shows that the number of construction per hectare was more than halved between 2010 and 2021. Sattler leads local events, such as road construction and changes in agriculture, as essential reasons. Due to the increasingly large fields and more efficient machines, there is often no food supply for the hamsters. Climate change additionally increases these problems because earlier harvest times affect food availability.

The role of farmers

In order to bring about a positive change, almost 40 companies have now been included in a cooperation that enables life -friendly measures to implement for the field hamster. This model shows how farmers can make a contribution to nature conservation through sustainable growing methods, such as creating flower strips and adapting the crop rotations. In addition, this initiative ensures that the farmers receive the areas that provide food for the field hamster.

the field hamster as an indicator of ecological health

The field hamster plays a key role as an indicator of the health of the soil. Its way of life contributes to improving the soil structure. Together with other organisms, such as the earthworm, the field hamster influences the fertile formation of Schwarzende. This ecological interaction is not only important for the field hamster, but also for sustainable agriculture as a whole.

call for action

The commitment to the field hamster impressively shows how you can counteract the loss of biodiversity through targeted measures. Experts warn that without increasing efforts to protect the habitats of the field hamsters could die out by 2038 or at the latest. The “Feldhamsterland” project wants to reverse this trend and is working on enabling sustainable coexistence between Feldhamster and Agriculture.

This community initiative could serve as a model for other regions in which the balance between agriculture and nature is not only important for such rodents, but also for the entire environment.

This initiative makes it clear that sustainable agriculture and nature conservation do not have to be opposites, but can go hand in hand to protect both the local flora and fauna and to protect the economic interests of farmers.