Sustainability

Everyone is now aware of the climate crisis. The biodiversity crisis, on the other hand, is still struggling for more attention, despite its equally serious scale. Looking at the campus of Bielefeld University, a number of approaches are now being taken to strengthen insect and plant diversity. Creative and diverse measures are being used:

• Lean meadows behind the X-building.

As early as last year, a start was made on planting rough pastures on the green spaces next to the social field at the X-building. They are among the most species-rich types of meadows. On a total of 7,500 m², plants with low competition can spread on the nutrient-poor soil, which would hardly stand a chance against fast-growing grasses on rich meadows with a high nitrogen content. They are mowed only once a year.

• Perennial plants above the Konsequenz

Various perennials can already be admired in front of the buildings above the Konsequenz. They are not only rich in color, but also ecologically beneficial: Many perennial species have insects that specialize in them and are thus provided with a habitat.

• Flowering strips and spring bulb meadows on the UHG south side

Eight flowering strips with a total area of 650 m² will be planted on the green spaces between Konsequenz and Oberer Randbedingung (UHG south side). Preparations for seeding will start in March. Flowering strips increase habitat diversity for numerous insects and, above all, offer pollinators a more diverse range than sterile lawns. Starting in the fall of 2023, a 100 m² spring bulb meadow is also to be established on the Untere Randbedingung. Additional early flowering geophytes were already planted last fall.

• Robinia replacement and ball maple extension

Also in the planning stages: the successive replacement of robinia trees on campus with other species beginning in early spring. Robinia trees are considered invasive from a conservation standpoint. While their flowers are popular with bees, they enrich soils with nitrogen, which hinders the development of species-rich dry grasslands. There are also plans to extend the Kugelhornalee at the end of the Sequenz with additional trees. More trees were already planted last fall.

So, with an eye for the biodiversity crisis, it pays to discover the biodiversity-enhancing measures on campus and actively monitor developments.

Have you discovered biodiversity on campus? The Sustainability Office welcomes your photo at nachhaltigkeitsbuero@uni-bielefeld.de.

Status: January 2023