Gewasbescherming door draadloze afrastering in weidegebieden

This study evaluates virtual fencing for biodiversity protection in pastures, focusing on meadow bird nests and ditches. Over five weeks, ten dairy cows wore GPS collars at Dairy Campus, Leeuwarden, to test exclusion zones. A 15-meter diameter minimum exclusion zone was needed to protect nests, with an 8-meter buffer on each side for ditches. The system achieved 99% success, with cows adapting well—trust increased from 17% to 57%—and no welfare issues were observed. However, challenges included synchronization issues due to daily movement, lack of directional cues, and inaccurate navigation leading to shocks. Recommendations include higher GPS precision, auditory signals for guidance, and research on long-term animal welfare, bird responses, and grass growth. The technology reduced grazing in protected areas and increased grass height nearby, but requires improved interface design and scalability for broader use.