Biotope Blog

On this page we keep you updated on everything concerning the BioDiversum. How is the progess on the measures? What animals and plants are there to see? What else is going on? Find out here!

December 17, 2025

Cairn of life – where creatures thrive

The wind whistles icily across the BioDiversum meadows. Birds bustle around the feeding station, while foxes and hares leave their tracks in the first snow. And then there is this pile of stones, which looks like forgotten building rubble – but is full of life, even in winter.

Secret winter quarters

The clearance cairn provides an important retreat for some of our smallest biotope inhabitants: Spiders, wild bees, and beetles slumber in the dry cavities. Larger visitors, such as toads and blindworms, also find shelter from the cold and predators here.

In summer, when the sun warms the stones, the cairn transforms into a natural sun terrace: Lizards bask in the light and the seemingly dead rubble buzzes and crawls.

From field to biotope

Clearance cairns usually form when farmers clear stones from their fields and stack them up. We are following the farmers’ example: Last year, we piled up two cairns from the remains of the Tower 7 construction site – one sun-drenched near the pond, the other shady and damp at the edge of the forest.

No reptiles have moved in yet – that will take time. But the first insects have already discovered their new homes.

A biotope to recreate

If you have a few stones left over, you can easily create your own biotope:

• choose a sunny or semi-shaded spot
• stack stones of different sizes loosely, not too neatly
• leave small cavities open – they become the actual dwellings
• simply leave the cairn to its own devices...
• and watch it come to life over the years

This is how an inconspicuous pile of stones becomes a bustling settlement for all kinds of creepy-crawlies.

November 20, 2025

Why bare ground buzzes in our biotope

The first snowflakes cover the meadows in the BioDiversum. The colorful leaves are gradually disappearing, as are the adult wild bees. However, their offspring have long since gone to sleep, snuggly tucked away in warm hiding places: as eggs, larvae, or pupae deep inside hollow plant stems, dead wood – or, in the case of most species, deep in the ground. These underground nurseries require something that has become rare in our tidy landscapes: patches of open soil, free of dense vegetation, exposed to the sun.

Such areas were created after construction work on the NMR III building, our pond, and the old kindergarten. Instead of sowing the land, we left it untouched. Since then, there have been strips of loose soil there – in full sun all day long.

What at first glance looks like a forgotten construction site, is an insider tip for the local wild bee population in the summer: Tiny, round entry holes dot the ground, sand bees dart in and out, while an increasingly colorful carpet of ruderal plants provides a supply of nectar. The deep blue viper’s bugloss is particularly popular.

A study by the University of Göttingen confirms that such seemingly barren areas can be hotspots of biodiversity. In 19 limestone quarries in southern Lower Saxony, biologists found 114 species of wild bees, including 35 endangered species. Exposed, sun-drenched soil proved to be a decisive factor. Where shrubs took over, the buzzing quickly diminished.

That is why we need to keep an eye on our small strips of land and regularly clear them of emerging shrubs. If you want to help in your own garden, you do not need heavy equipment. A small patch of open, sunny, and undisturbed ground can serve as a miniature apartment building. If you leave some weeds, such as stonecrop, hawkweed, or even viper’s bugloss, there will also be food right on the doorstep.

Our construction site remnant shows that the greatest biodiversity sometimes arises where we do not plant or sow. Thus, a small piece of unplanted soil turns into a nursery.

November 6, 2025

Autumn inventory at the BioDiversum

When the leaves change colors and the nights grow cooler, our gardeners enter their busy season of redesigning. The moist autumn soil provides perfect conditions for young perennials and shrubs to take root – the ideal time to get rid of inherited burdens. At the top of our list: the forsythia in front of our energy center.

While the forsythia may put on a show with its yellow blooms in March, ecologically, it is like a papier-mâché buffet that looks deceptively real but offers nothing to eat. Common hybrid varieties provide neither nectar nor pollen. Wild bees buzz around full of hope, but find only emptiness, wasting valuable energy during an already short season.

Our gardeners therefore removed the yellow imposter with large tools and shredders, making room for a new addition with added value: the European elder. Its plate-shaped flower clusters, which appear from June onwards, fill a gap in the seasonal flowering calendar and provide ample food for hungry insects. When the deep purple berries ripen in autumn, a whole flock of birds – from blackbirds to chiffchaffs – pounce on the ripe fruits. In doing so, they transport the seeds free of charge.

Ecologists have long praised the elderberry as a multigenerational plant: First insects feed on the flowers, then songbirds on the fruits, and even in winter, the coarse-pored wood is home to fungi such as the wood ear and its associated beetle community. For us, this means one shrub with many functions – and a prime example of how species-rich woody plants are superior to bare decorative plants.

Of course, we are not resting on our laurels. Little by little, we replace the remaining legacy plants with native, ecologically valuable ones so that there is buzzing, crawling, and chirping everywhere.

If you want to make a difference, now is the time: Autumn planting gives shrubs a growth advantage and provides wildlife with an early spring feast. So, grab your shovels!

September 30, 2025

Apple nursery instead of apple pie – our orchard is growing!

People all over the region are busy picking, shaking, and pressing: The fruit harvest is in full swing. We, on the other hand, are more interested in the progress of our young orchard seedlings in the BioDiversum than in ripe fruit.

Behind the biotope pond, twelve trees stretch their thin branches towards the sky – old apple varieties such as Berlepsch and Boskoop, classic pears, plums, and two cherry trees. At just four years old, they are more like kindergartners than fruit heroes. First, they must “grow up”, take root, and create a habitat for insects, birds, bats, and other biotope inhabitants.

A Nature article by the University of Göttingen explains why this is important. According to the study, perennial, woody crops – such as fruit trees – can feed three birds with one scone: They promote biodiversity, bind CO₂, and strengthen regional food supplies. In other words, they are highly sustainable! However, this is only true when they grow in a diverse mix and without chemicals – in other words, as a meadow orchard rather than a plantation.

Our reality check: Drought and poor soil have taken their toll on our young trees; one has given up. A robust medlar will soon fill the gap. Nowadays, it is rare but highly sought after by insects.

In short, our meadow is not ready for harvest (yet), but it is an investment in biodiversity and climate protection. If you want to pick some fresh fruit, there are public orchards in the area where the trees can easily withstand harvesting.

We, on the other hand, water our trees during dry periods and dream of the day when we can taste the institute’s first juice. Until then, please just look, don’t pick. The wild bees thank you!

July 29, 2025

For a drink at the pond bar

If you are out on the Fassberg Campus on a hot summer evening, you might hear it from a distance: an excited splashing. Our biotope pond is currently THE place to be for thirsty forest dwellers – deer, fox, and badger come here to quench their thirst.

However, not every guest just stops by for a drink... the raccoon now regularly appears in front of our wildlife camera. After thoroughly “feeling” around (it does not actually wash itself, but searches for food), the raccoon fishes whatever it can get its paws on from the “pond buffet”. For the amphibians in our pond, such as the adolescent toads and newts, this is unfortunately anything but happy hour.

A German study published in the International Journal for Parasitology illustrates why the non-native raccoon is a cause for concern in Germany. Introduced from America in the 20th century, this adaptable omnivore has spread throughout our ecosystems after escaping from fur farms or being released. It does not even spare native birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians, as the study reveals through the mammal’s feces and stomach contents. The invasive predator poses a significant threat to endangered amphibians, such as the common toad.

Fortunately, the banks of our pond, which we created in 2021, are now lushly overgrown, offering the small amphibians plenty of hiding places among the dense reeds and water plants. At home, you can also help keep the raccoon population in check by making the buffet unappealing to them. Securely close the lids of compost bins and garbage cans, and bring pet food bowls inside at night.

Despite the raccoon problem, our biotope pond remains a hotspot of biodiversity: dragonflies patrol in the sunlight, water striders dance the quickstep, and bats snatch mosquitoes on the fly. In short, without our little water body, there would be no pond bar and no habitat for countless species. So, cheers!

May 30, 2025

A feast for insects

Those who regularly pass by the Fassberg Campus may have noticed the newly sown wildflower meadow at the gate. This meadow and the additional 1.65 hectares in the BioDiversum are not only a treat to the eyes but also an important contribution to promoting insect diversity, according to a study by researchers at Wageningen University (Netherlands).

Wildflower meadows are a true paradise for insects. They offer a rich buffet for hoverflies, bumblebees, and numerous specialized wild bee species. The Dutch study shows that the seed mixture is crucial to a wildflower meadow’s attractiveness. Our regional seed mixtures, which contain over 30 plant species, have already proven effective, attracting more than 100 insect species in their first year.

However, maintaining such meadows is a demanding task. Once or twice a year, we mow them in sections with a bar mower to keep nutrient-loving grasses in check. Unfortunately, unfavorable weather conditions and the still nutrient-rich soil have allowed the grasses to regain the upper hand. We need to stay on the ball: Our gardeners are experimenting with customized seed mixtures and are now reseeding the areas step by step to find a long-term balance between grasses and wildflowers. Despite the dry weather this spring, the area at the gate is already showing promising progress.

You too can promote biodiversity in your garden. How about a colorful wildflower meadow buzzing with insects? The Royal Horticultural Society offers helpful tips on how to create your own meadow. With the NABU app “Insektensommer“ (in German), you can discover the diversity of insects in your garden. Join in and turn your garden into a real feast for insects!

April 29, 2025

BioDiversum meets City Nature Challenge

On April 28, twelve nature lovers met early in the morning in our BioDiversum for a bird-watching tour. Under the guidance of our colleague and hobby ornithologist Christian Dienemann, we explored the diverse bird life of our biotope, equipped with binoculars and pricked-up ears. We spotted over 20 different species, ranging from black redstarts and song thrushes to short-toed tree creepers.

The tour was part of the worldwide City Nature Challenge, which took place from April 25 to 28. It was the first time that Göttingen took part in the international “Bioblitz”. The aim of the challenge? To discover the biodiversity in the area and to document as many animal, plant, and fungal species as possible. With the help of modern apps, even beginners in ornithology could identify the species in the BioDiversum to later enter our observations into the global database iNaturalist.org – citizen science at its best!

A big thank you to everyone who participated! We hope that the City Nature Challenge has inspired you to become more aware of the natural world around you and to take an active role in protecting biodiversity. Take this opportunity to continue exploring your surroundings, learning new things, and sharing your knowledge with others.

Want to learn more about how you can get involved and connect with others to protect biodiversity in Göttingen? Then have a look at the new platform fokus-vielfalt.de (in German only).

April 10, 2025

A wooden paradise

Spring is coming to the BioDiversum and the first shrubs are sprouting. But what should we do with the clippings from the last few months? Our gardeners had a creative idea: They used the leftover branches to create a deadwood hedge. It now adorns the forest below the canteen and will hopefully soon become a biodiversity hotspot.

Many gardens are dominated by pristine greenery, but this order comes at a cost: Natural hiding places and food sources are dwindling. Our deadwood hedge addresses this problem by being deliberately messy. Deadwood hedges are loosely stacked branches and twigs held in place by sturdy wooden posts. This seemingly “waste” material transforms over time into a vibrant ecosystem. Deadwood is not “dead” wood, but a haven for native wildlife. The cavities between the branches create microhabitats that are particularly rich in species. Thousands of species, including insects like the violet carpenter bee, birds like the wren, hedgehogs, and even lizards, find shelter and food here – a real all-inclusive habitat!

With simple means, you can create a biodiverse habitat that serves as a natural privacy screen at the same time. Have you not yet got rid of your clippings? Try creating your own deadwood hedge in the garden – the sunnier the better! For more information on creating your own, visit the RSPB website.

March 18, 2025

How do insects hibernate?

During the cold season, we only see a few insects in our otherwise colorful biotope. But where have they gone instead? The answer varies from animal to animal.

Adaptation artist

The admiral (Vanessa atalanta) originally belonged to the migratory butterflies and traveled long distances to the southern Mediterranean, North Africa, or the western Sahara in winter. In the meantime, however, the butterfly has become a true adaptation artist. While most species can only overwinter in a particular stage of development – for example, as a caterpillar – the admiral is more flexible. Some of them continue to fly to warmer regions, but more and more admirals are now braving the cold. As a butterfly, it likes to seek shelter in dense ivy plants where evergreen leaves protect it from frost and moisture. The caterpillars of the admiral can also survive a mild and less frosty winter before the first colorful butterflies hatch in April and flutter through our BioDiversum again.

Stiff from the cold

Dragonflies are known for their breathtaking flight technique, with which they skillfully maneuver over our biotope pond in summer. But with the onset of winter, they disappear almost completely. Except for the winter dragonfly, the adults of other species die in late fall. To ensure that the fast predators can go hunting at our pond again next year, they lay their eggs near the water on plants and grasses beforehand. The eggs and larvae then go into hibernation and survive the cold season until the next generation of dragonflies hatches in spring.

Lone survivor

Wild bees are frequent and welcome guests in our biotope, as they essentially contribute to the pollination of our plants. Unlike honey bees, wild bees are usually solitary and do not have a hive to protect them from the cold temperatures in winter. Instead, wild bees rely on other hibernation strategies, differing from species to species. For example, the sand bees (genus Andrena), which are frequently found in our biotope, lay their offspring in nests in the ground. The female builds a separate brood cell for each egg and leaves sufficient food supplies for her larvae. These pupate in a cocoon in which they spend the entire winter. In spring, the young sand bees hatch and leave their ground nest. Other wild bee species use alternative hibernation strategies: They seek shelter in hollow plant stems or tree holes and endure there until the cold season is over.

Now that spring is just around the corner, we are looking forward to seeing many different insects in our biotope again soon.

February 28, 2025

A home for our birds

Who of you has been counting during the “Hour of Winter Birds”? In this NABU initiative, citizens like you and me spend an hour on a weekend in January counting birds in our gardens. Unfortunately, this year's results show an alarming decline: In Lower Saxony alone, the ten most common songbird species were spotted one-fifth less often.

In light of these figures, our commitment is more important than ever. In our BioDiversum, we have implemented several measures for our feathered friends: a well-frequented bird feeding station throughout the year, a pond and insect-rich wildflower meadows as food sources, as well as shrubs as hiding and breeding places.

This month, it was time for the annual “spring cleaning” of our nest boxes: Our team of gardeners removed old nesting material to protect the new tenants from parasites and predators. Our nearly 100 nest boxes are almost fully booked each year – and are also very popular with the garden dormice for hibernation. We plan to add more "housing" for birds in the future.

Only the half-caves for robins, wrens, and blackstarts have been rejected so far – perhaps the location is not yet right. By repositioning the boxes, we hope to make the unused homes more attractive in the future: sheltered from the wind and with unobstructed access for the expectant parents.

Due to the loss of natural habitats, feeding stations, nest boxes, and structurally rich areas are a true gift to our birdlife. So let us work together to ensure that our gardens and biotopes remain safe havens for birds!

January 31, 2025

Nature conservation – learning step by step

Although it is only January, our biotope is already waking up from hibernation. The bird feeding station is a hive of activity, the first shrubs are flowering, and our gardeners are eagerly at work.

Have you ever visited our BioDiversum? Wildflower meadows, shrubs, open ground, or clearance cairns: Our biotope is a colorful mosaic of structures. In principle, the more diverse the habitat, the greater the biodiversity – as shown in a study conducted by researchers at the University of Göttingen in 2020. Diversity allows different species to find their own niche.

However, the study also shows that ecosystems are complex. Each of them is unique, and sometimes measures intended to preserve or improve the habitat do not work as planned – also in our biotope. In the end, nature conservation means a lot of trial and error and learning from mistakes.

In any case, we will continue to work on promoting and protecting biodiversity around the institute – and in Germany.

In the coming months, we will take you on a look back and ahead: What is going well in the BioDiversum? Where are we still experimenting? Where do we go from here?