Forschungsfläche "Mariensee" des Thünen-Instituts

The agroforestry system near Mariensee (Neustadt am Rübenberge) was established in 2008 as part of the “Agroforestry-Energy I” research project. It consists of three tree strips (12 x 135 m) planted with fast-growing willows and two grassland areas (48 x 135 m). To the west of this is a grassland reference area without trees (approx. 1 ha), and to the north is a short-rotation plantation serving as a reference area for energy wood (0.5 ha). The tree strips consist of 4 double rows (8 single rows; planting density 10,458 plants/ha). They are harvested in a 5-year rotation cycle. The grassland areas are managed extensively (1 cut).