Q&A: Grasslands in more diverse landscapes can suffer less from drought

The study conducted by researchers from the University of Bonn found that grasslands in more diverse landscapes are less likely to experience significant yield losses during droughts compared to those in more homogeneous regions. During the 2018 heat wave, meadows and pastures in eastern Germany, which had large, contiguous areas used in similar ways, suffered more from drought due to their less diverse agricultural landscapes.

In contrast, western Germany, with smaller farms and more varied land uses, showed better drought tolerance. The researchers used satellite and remote sensing data to investigate how droughts affect green spaces and the role landscape structure plays in this process. They discovered that landscapes with less diverse land uses struggle to store water during droughts, leading to higher plant biomass yields loss.

A mathematical model was also used to estimate potential biomass losses in less diverse landscapes. The study concludes that increased landscape diversity can enhance ecosystem function and farm resilience to extreme events, including droughts. However, further research is needed to understand the full implications of large farms' efficiency compared to their vulnerability during severe droughts.