wiesen

Wiesen are a type of land cover in which the surface is predominantly covered by grasses and herbaceous plants. They are commonly used for hay production or grazing and are typically managed through seasonal mowing, with the resulting forage collected as hay or silage for livestock feed. Some meadows are grazed rather than mowed, either as part of a rotational system or as maintenance for biodiversity.

Different meadow types arise from soil and moisture conditions. Wet or damp meadows (Feuchtwiesen) occur in floodplains and poorly drained sites and often host a mix of grasses, sedges, and wetland wildflowers. Calcareous or lime-rich meadows (Kalkwiesen) develop on alkaline soils and can boast a high diversity of flowering plants, including several orchids in some regions. Dry meadows, on nutrient-poor soils, support a distinct assemblage of grasses and herbs adapted to limited moisture and nutrients. The plant composition of a meadow is shaped by management practices, including the timing and frequency of mowing and the degree of grazing.

Ecologically, traditional, species-rich meadows are valuable habitats for pollinators, invertebrates, and ground-nesting birds. They contribute to landscape aesthetics and cultural heritage, particularly in Central Europe where historical practices shaped many meadow ecosystems. However, intensification, drainage, and conversion to arable farming have reduced meadow biodiversity in parts of the world. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining traditional mowing regimes, appropriate grazing, and agri-environment schemes to preserve these biodiverse landscapes.