A total of 36 woody vegetation strips have been established across the arable field. These are divided into three row types: sweet chestnut, fodder trees and standard fruit trees. Within these strips, 55 different woody and herbaceous species have been introduced, including more than 6,500 planted trees and shrubs and over two million sown seeds.
Early- and late-flowering species such as hazel, cornelian cherry, blackthorn, hawthorn and guelder rose provide pollinators with a continuous food supply throughout the year. At the same time, the future avoidance of soil cultivation within the agroforestry rows creates new nesting and breeding sites for wild bees, bumblebees and other small animals that find little suitable habitat on intensively managed arable land.
The site becomes a habitat and a place of learning
Even now, increasing biodiversity can be observed on Field 701. Birds use the raptor perches as resting points, tits naturally regulate pests on the young trees, and the structure of the agroforestry system offers refuge for numerous vertebrate species.
Alongside its ecological benefits, the site is already being used as a model and learning location. Visitors from science, agricultural practice and education regularly gain insights into the structure, management and ecological performance of the system. In this way, the field has become an important space for knowledge transfer on circular agriculture.
A measurable contribution to climate protection
Agroforestry systems have been shown to contribute significantly to increased carbon storage in soils. A meta analysis by Mayer et al. (2022) indicates that in more than 70 percent of the cases examined, agroforestry sites contain higher levels of organic soil carbon than comparable areas without woody vegetation. The newly planted trees and shrubs store carbon both in their biomass and in the soil.
The German Association for Agroforestry (DeFAF) summarises various studies in a recent report (Böhm et al. 2025). Depending on system design and tree species used, the potential storage capacity ranges between 1.8 and 25 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per hectare per year. For Field 701, this results in a calculated annual potential of around 50 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. This corresponds roughly to the CO₂ emissions of 12 to 15 average households over the same period.
The project therefore combines effective climate protection with sustainable ecological impact. It reduces emissions, promotes biodiversity and contributes to the long-term development of healthy and resilient soils.
Partnership for a regenerative future
As a medical device manufacturer, we deliberately invest in projects that create impact beyond healthcare. We thank Gut&Bösel and the Finck Foundation for the successful collaboration and for the insights into a project that demonstrates how transformation in rural areas can be achieved.
Together, we are setting an example for regenerative approaches that strengthen climate, nature and society.
Further background on the development of the agroforestry project can be found in our news article.
More in-depth insights into the system’s structure, management and ecological effects are provided in the current practical report by the Finck Foundation.
