Long-term agricultural landscape experiment (ALEX)

In Raasdorf, on the organically managed experimental fields of BOKU, a unique agricultural landscape experiment was established in spring 2026. This large-scale, randomized field trial covers approximately 20 hectares and demonstrates how productivity, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation and adaptation can be promoted simultaneously.

The agricultural landscape experiment scientifically investigates three levels of diversification with regard to their ecological, economic, and climatic effects: (i) monocultures (control), (ii) strip cropping with conventional crops such as maize, wheat, and soybean, as well as functional strips, and (iii) strip cropping with functional strips as in (ii), combined with agroforestry (alley cropping).

Annual plants (e.g. herbs and crops such as milk thistle and calendula) and perennial plants (e.g. clover-grass mixtures, Florence fennel, fallows, and flower strips), as well as agroforestry strips, play a key role in the functional strips. They contribute to soil protection and biodiversity and influence the microclimate. In this way, a diverse range of habitats and biotope corridors is created.

For the first time in Austria, the agricultural landscape experiment is collecting comprehensive interdisciplinary data on ecosystem services and biodiversity indicators in order to quantify how structural diversity affects crop yields, soil fertility, water balance, carbon sequestration, and species diversity, as well as labour requirements and labour costs.

This is achieved through innovative technologies, including drone- and AI-supported data collection and sensor technology, enabling the development of a “Digital Twin”. The results will provide a scientifically sound basis for future agricultural and environmental policy decisions.

Contact: Prof. Sabine Seidel, Dr. Gabriele Gollner

Cooperation partners: Versuchwirtschaft Groß Enzersdorf, Bio Austria Lower Austria and Vienna, FiBL Austria, Baumfeldwirtschaft