A coffee with... Bunte Wiese
Allow Disorder [12.06.20]
Photos: "Bunte Wiese Stuttgart"
In the interview: Marina Moser (biology student), Jenny Michel (biology student), Daniel Bölli (biology student), Dr. Sebastian Görn (Wilhelma), and Prof. Dr. Lars Krogmann (Department of Systematic Entomology)
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What is the aim of the "Bunte Wiese Stuttgart" initiative?
Marina Moser: In December 2018, an international research conference on insect mortality was held at the Natural History Museum in Stuttgart, attended by numerous renowned researchers. We students were quite shocked by their report. Afterwards, we all had the feeling that we not only wanted to continue working on the conservation of biodiversity during our studies, but also wanted to do something concrete.
Our original goal was to campaign here in Stuttgart for more insect meadows in public spaces. However, it soon became clear that there are many bureaucratic hurdles. As students we reached our limits at some point.
However, we increasingly realized that our society still lacks a basic awareness of the problem and knowledge of how insect protection can be successful. Therefore we shifted our focus a little bit: We want to do public relations, impart practical knowledge, and give advice.
Daniel Bölli: In addition, we naturally want to pass on our enthusiasm for the local flora and fauna. Because only what you know and appreciate can be protected!
Our role model is the initiative "Bunte Wiese Tübingen," which is supported by students and employees of the local university. Last year, similar initiatives in Landau, Berlin, and even in Tyrol were founded, with which we cooperate.
Popular petitions to save the bees, seed mixtures as give-aways at the supermarket checkout, bee-friendly flower assortments in DIY stores: one has the impression that the subject of insect mortality has now become a public issue. Do you see it differently?
Dr. Sebastian Görn: Yes and no. Media reports about the so-called Krefeld study have already triggered a certain epiphany for many people, at least in the short term. The study from 2017 showed that the biomass of insects in Germany has decreased by about 75% in the last three decades.
When talking about this topic, many people immediately remember how many insects used to get stuck on their windshields. Or that in their youth there were many more butterflies on the meadows. So there is a fundamental awareness that something has to change.
On the other hand, we ask ourselves whether people really understand how threatening the extinction of species is for our planet. Real consequences are still to come in many places. In addition, unfortunately, many discussions and well-intentioned initiatives miss the core of the problem.
In what way?
Prof. Dr. Lars Krogmann: Those who plant colorful flowers from the DIY store in their front garden, for example, which are perhaps even advertised as being particularly "bee-friendly," usually don't make much of a contribution to insect protection. These are often exotic plants that are of limited value to native insects because their way of life is adapted to the local plant world.
Although a few generalist insects can also cope with exotic plants from the hardware store, these are usually species that are not threatened anyway due to their undemanding nature.
It is also problematic that bees are often made a symbol for the whole problem of insect mortality.
Perhaps this is because it is particularly visible what they do for humans through pollination. What is problematic about this?
Dr. Sebastian Görn: For one thing, many people think of bees first of all as honey bees. They do not always realize that they are a farm animal that is bred and kept by humans. That's why honey bees are not affected by insect mortality at all. So a beehive on the roof may be a nice hobby, but it does not make a substantial contribution against insect mortality. In fact, farmed bees and wild bees may even compete with each other.
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On the other hand, beetles, spiders, moths, etc. are given much less attention: all meadow dwellers - animals and plants alike - make their specific and invaluable contribution to a functioning ecosystem that ultimately provides us with fertile soil, clean water, fresh air, and food.
So what measures can private individuals, city administrations, and institutions take to really do something to preserve biodiversity?
Daniel Bölli: The most important point is actually quite simple: Mow less! 50-90% of insects die during mowing. Wild flowers do not reach seed maturity. If the cuttings are left lying on the ground, the soil is also fertilised. However, native wild herbs prefer poor soils and can hardly assert themselves against the grass. It is ideal to mow only twice a year, in June and September. You should then leave approx. 10% of the area standing.
Dr. Sebastian Görn: Another problem is the loss of structural elements that are essential for the survival of many species; such as sand mounds, dead wood, open areas in the lawn, piles of leaves, puddles, etc. Every square centimeter today must somehow be "neat" and planned. In summary, one can perhaps say: we must learn again to allow a bit more "disorder" in our surroundings.
One problem may be social acceptance. Who wants to look like a careless gardener?
Jenny Michel: If you want to avoid this, you can put a small sign in your front garden, for example - and at the same time educate people. We ourselves also want to put up information boards in Hohenheim's gardens in the coming weeks so that walkers can see more clearly what the wild meadows are all about - and thus perhaps even encourage them to imitate them.
Marina Moser: For public areas, a so-called "acceptance strip" may also be recommended: This means that a large part of the area is allowed to grow, but mowed along paths, for example, to demonstrate that this is a conscious measure. At the same time, such selected areas can create a compromise between different types of use, as they are suitable for picnicking or playing.
But ultimately we must also question our aesthetic ideals. As long as we see "weeds" in wild herbs in the first place, insect control has a bad hand. Instead, we should learn to discover the special charm that a wild meadow offers.
What projects are you currently pursuing with your initiative?
Jenny Michel: The first step was the creation of a homepage, which, for example, provides information about the scientific background of insect extinction with articles and links, but also offers very practical tips for mowing and other protective measures. In our series "Meadowdweller of the Month" we also want to invite you to discover the fascinating world around us and to get to know native species better.
We are pursuing the same goal through our social media channels. For example, under the hashtag #MehrAlsUnkraut (more than weeds), we are participating in an international campaign by biologists. If we discover a rare native plant along the way, we write the scientific name next to it in chalk and then post a photo of it on Instagram and Facebook.
Marina Moser: "In the future, we want to do more public relations work with information stands and events - and not least through our model projects on the Hohenheim campus. Using clearly visible areas, we want to demonstrate how good it looks and how many species settle when you simply let a meadow grow.
One success that we are particularly pleased about is the cooperation with the Hedwig-Dohm and Alexander-Fleming schools, as well as the it.schule in Stuttgart: Two teachers became aware of our initiative and suggested that an insect meadow be created on the school grounds, which would also be treated as a project in class.
Are only biology students active in the initiative?
Daniel Bölli: We are open-minded and are happy about everyone who wants to participate: Whether students or employees, from any field. At the moment, the majority are Hohenheim biology students, but there are also many scientists from the State Natural History Museum in Stuttgart who are active in the initiative.
By the way, we are also supported by numerous Hohenheim professors, by the Hohenheim Gardens, and by the Natural History Museum. We were also able to win the State Office for Property and Construction, which is responsible for the areas around the university buildings, as an official cooperation partner.
Prof. Dr. Lars Krogmann: "We also support the initiative on the part of the new Competence Center for Biodiversity and Integrative Taxonomy, which is jointly run by the University of Hohenheim and the Natural History Museum. After all, we share an important common goal: to bring practical knowledge for the preservation of biodiversity into society!
We will continue to report, thank you very much for the interview!
Interview: Leonhardmair / Translation: Neudorfer
