One of the lessons learned from the dramatic insect decline in German protected areas is that proper management of nature reserves is insufficient for maintaining biodiversity. I present the history of this study and some recent results. Creating perspectives for biodiversity requires changes in the agricultural landscape, including more suitable habitat, increased ecological connectivity and reduced pollution.

Collaboration with farmers and governmental institutions is mandatory to make that change. I will give a few examples how new interdisciplinary research can assist in understanding enabling factors and bottlenecks. Such information is required before small- scale initiatives can be widely implemented. Working in this way also changes the science of ecology, in targets, analyses and dissemination.