Our case study region consists of 23 Marchfeld municipalities covering 70.800 ha. The average population density is 97 persons/km², but density strongly varies in the single municipalities and reaches from 15 to 881 persons/km². Since about 10 to 15 years, the region experiences a strong population growth, caused by in-migration.

Agricultural management is carried out on around 50.800 ha utilized agricultural area (UAA). 95% of the farms in the case study region are cash crop farms, around 12% of all farms are organic farms. The good soil quality in combination with the possibility of irrigation, which is given due to the Marchfeld channel leading through the area, lead to an agricultural system characterised by intensive arable production. 98% of UAA is used as arable land, around 25% of agricultural area in the region is managed under irrigation.

The Marchfeld is framed by two major capitals, Vienna and Bratislava. This leads to a multitude of sensitivities and claims affecting the regions, such as urban outmigration, recreation demands, space requirements for infrastructural planning (e.g. roads, highways, flood protection, etc.) and regional food supply.

Soils conditions are identified by the stakeholders to have impacts on other public goods in the region and to touch important environmental issues such as climate, groundwater, erosion, etc. Here, particularly the quality of the groundwater in the Marchfeld is seen as a critical point. At the moment, groundwater quality in the Marchfeld is poor compared to other Austrian regions. This is first and foremost due to the level of nitrate pollution resulting from agricultural management, combined with the low precipitation rates leading to insufficient dilution. In many parts of the Marchfeld, groundwater treatment is inevitable to reach the standard values for potable water. To improve soil functionality and consequently also reach a positive impact on groundwater quality, changes of the agricultural management are suggested by the experts and stakeholders. Mainly these changes include measures to increase soil humus contents such as minimum tillage, intercropping and the mixing of straw, compost and harvest residues into the ground. Also changes of crop rotation are seen as potential ways to reduce chemical fertilisation and enhance soil fertility.