Discover habitats for animals in the Hülsensee Zoo with us!

Discover habitats for animals in the Hülsensee Zoo with us!

On Friday, July 11th, it's that time again: The City Garden Office invites you to an exciting tour of the Hülsensee Zoo at 5:30 p.m. Under the motto “Habitats for wild animals and plants”, those interested can find out everything about the diversity that flourishes in our local green spaces. The meeting point is the llama enclosure at the south end of the zoo, and participation is free. This event is not only another highlight of the summer program, but also part of the accompanying program to the current exhibition “Neatly Sloppy”, which can be seen in the Ecological-Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth until October 12th.https://www.bayreuth.de/fuehrung-lebensraeume-fuer-wildlebende-tiere/

In times of climate change, protecting these habitats is more important than ever. Climate change threatens natural habitats and forces animals and plants to adapt. Researchers like Gian-Reto Walther from the FOEN warn of the pressure from intensive land use and the additional challenges that threaten fixed habitats. Many species that rely on moist and cool conditions are having difficulty finding suitable habitats as these become increasingly scarce.https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/de/home/themen/klima/dossiers/magazin-2023-2-dossier/bedrohte-lebensraeume-was-passiert-wenn-natur-und-wald-sich-veraendern.html

The importance of green spaces

Green spaces are not just showcases for people, they also have an essential function in the ecosystem. They provide habitats for many different species and contribute to the biodiversity in the area. When opportunities are created, such as planting different types of trees, these habitats can become more resilient to heat and pests. This is becoming increasingly important as invasive species such as the Chinese hemp palm or the book printer not only displace native plants, but also endanger ecosystem services.https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/de/home/themen/klima/dossiers/magazin-2023-2-dossier/bedrohte-lebensraeume-was-passiert-wenn-natur-und-wald-sich-veraendern.html

Current research also shows that protected areas are often too small and are located in the middle of intensively used areas. This is a big problem because many of the most vulnerable ecosystems require larger areas to survive. Suggestions for improvement include increasing protected areas and creating corridors to promote exchange between habitats.https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/de/home/themen/klima/dossiers/magazin-2023-2-dossier/bedrohte-lebensraeume-was-passiert-wenn-natur-und-wald-sich-veraendern.html

In social discussions, too, the focus is increasingly on raising public awareness: awareness of the importance of nature and the need for environmental protection must be strengthened. Contact with nature in childhood, such as through guided tours of the zoo, can help to attract the younger generation to the topic. This is particularly important given the challenges posed by climate change.https://livinggreen.eu/die-auseffekten-des-klimawandels-auf-die-biodiversitaet-verstaendnis-der-auseffekten-der-globalen-erwaermung-auf-oekosysteme/