Living Lab leaders: Claus Rasmussen / Martin Thorsøe, AU
This LL is situated in an agro-forestry system, where the production of willow for energy crops is combined with outdoor organic pig rearing and the area further supports the local game population for hunting purposes. The producer has a number of locations and markets a specialty pork product, retailed through one of the largest value chains in DK (Coop).
Pollination challenges: Willow is a key food source of nectar and pollen in the early spring of the northern hemisphere. Many solitary bees, in particular Andrena, and queen bumble bees establish their nest and colonies based solely on this resource. The importance of willow is thus both directly for the pollinators involved, but also in providing resources for the bumble bees to establish colonies with many workers for pollination later in the season and outside the flowering season of willow. This LL will monitor the importance of willow for spring pollinators, including an assessment of pollinator presence in different cultivars.
Anticipated results: Data on the biomass supply chain of willow supported by pollinators.
Actors involved: Value chain: Coop, sells products from the farmer. Local energy companies who purchase or contract the production of wood chips. Producer: 1-5 farmers involved in the agroforestry production. Policy-makers: Local municipalities involved in biodiversity management and environmental permits. The agro-food agency involved in national policy development. Conservation NGOs. Farmers’ associations.