Counteracting the rapid decline of birds and insects
In the project BioDiversum – Biotope at the MPI for Multidisciplinary Sciences we have bundled a number of individual measures with the aim of providing birds, insects, and other animal groups with a diverse habitat on our premises to increase biodiversity.
When the living conditions for animals as diverse as birds, insects, bats, and reptiles are to be sustainably improved, numerous factors must be taken into account and harmonized. We wanted to design the BioDiversum at our institute in Göttingen in such a way that as many animal groups as possible can benefit, and we wanted to include the entire institute premises into the biotope. The following plan provides an overview of the measures implemented as well as planned.
Fallow land at the north-eastern end of the institute premises
What we have already implemented...
- Pond of about 900 m2: Important basis of life for numerous birds, insects, and amphibians
- Transformed fallow land into a meagre meadow: Habitat for more plants and thus for more insects
- Planted orchard meadow & flowering shrubs: Food for insects, food and nesting sites for birds
- Cairns: Habitat for lizards, spiders, wild bees, and other insects
What else we want to realize...
- Large compost: Habitat for earthworms, slowworms, and grass snakes
Other areas around the institute
What we have already implemented...
- Created wildflower meadows: Habitat for numerous insects such as butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles, wild bees
- Earth break-off edges created & deadwood left in tree stands/hedges: Nesting opportunities for wild bees
- Established flowering plants that serve as a food source for the wild bees already present at the institute: Many wild bee species specialize in very specific food plants
- Planted wide, multi-row hedges & bushes: Important hiding places and breeding grounds for birds in particular
What else we want to realize...
- Replace gravel areas with wildflower beds: Habitat for insects
- In the long-term, more ecologically valuable tree species suitable for the location, such as field maple
- Dead hedges: Habitat for hedgehogs, insects, lizards, toads, and birds
- At the institute kindergarten: Berry bushes, herb beds
Further measures
What we have already implemented...
- Large year-round bird feeding station
- 100 nesting boxes for birds
- Kestrel box with integrated camera
- Bat box
- Insect hotels
What else we want to realize...
- Blue tit nesting box with integrated camera
The biotope will also have an educational dimension: It is planned to involve the institute’s kindergarten at the Fassberg and thus introduce the children to the topics of nature and biodiversity. Furthermore, a cooperation with Göttingen schools is being considered, for instance within the scope of project weeks or term papers.