Search

Simple Summary: Knowledge about species has been surveyed many times in research in the past. To our knowledge, species selection has never been properly justified and there is no consensus on which species should be used as a baseline for knowledge about species in the public. Based on database analysis and two expert panel studies, a list of 50 bird species (occurring in Germany) is provided at the end of this paper. The list can be used by educational institutions, for example, but also for research to make studies about knowledge about species more comparable in the future. The loss of Earth's biodiversity is accompanied by a loss of public knowledge about species. Many scientists are convinced that knowledge about species is an important prerequisite to interest and investment in species conservation. In the past, knowledge about species has mostly been assessed using birds, but there is no consensus on which birds could serve as a baseline for knowledge about species in the general public. The aim of this study is to provide a list of the 'golden 50′ bird species in Germany that can be used by educational institutions, as well as studies about species knowledge to make them more comparable. The list can also serve as a basis for the selection of so-called flagship species, which are used for the protection of habitats and other species due to their high likeability. To achieve this, three consecutive steps were conducted: an analysis of bird-related databases to determine which species might be common and known and two expert panel studies. The data analysis included several factors: species characteristics, Citizen Science data, public value and importance, and scientific studies. In both the first and second rounds, experts were asked for their opinion on which species should be known by the general public in Germany. The first expert panel, which consisted of only a small group of experts (n = 6), was mainly used to reduce the number of species for the second panel. In the second expert panel, 197 ornithologically qualified experts from all over Germany were asked for their assessment. The correlations between the expert assessments and the different variables were all significant (except for the species trait "colourfulness"), which validates the selection process used here and consequently the species list that has been compiled. The selection process can also be applied to other biogeographical regions or taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landscape complexity is a crucial factor for insect diversity in agricultural landscapes. Short-rotation coppices (SRCs) are characterised by high habitat heterogeneity. The impact of vegetation structure on the composition and diversity of ground beetle and arachnid communities was therefore investigated in four SRCs and six reference plots. The study site was located in Hesse, Germany. The invertebrates were surveyed from 2011 to 2014 using pitfall traps, and the vegetation structure was quantified by estimating the percentage cover of 10 structural variables. The impact of the selected structural variables on community composition was analysed during grove growth as well as after a timber harvest. We found correlations between the cover percentages of structural variables and the quantitative and qualitative species composition in both animal groups (p ≤ 0.05). The share of individuals of forest species increased with rising shading and litter cover, while those of open land decreased. The opposite trends were found the year after the timber harvest. The SRCs showed a higher structural diversity compared to the reference biotopes (p ≤ 0.05). This was positively correlated (p ≤ 0.001) with species diversity and the variety of habitat preference groups in both animal groups. The high diversity within the habitat preference groups indicated a functional redundancy among species for both animal groups and, consequently, a high level of resilience within these communities. Little is known about the functional aspects of ground beetles and spiders in ecosystems, and detailed studies are urgently needed. We conclude that SRCs can contribute to the diversification of agricultural landscapes as an alternative to traditional crop cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Roughly two-thirds of the insect species described from Germany belong to the orders Diptera (flies) or Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, ants and sawflies). However, both orders contain several species-rich families that have received little taxonomic attention until now. This study takes the first step in assessing these "dark taxa" families and provides species estimates for four challenging groups of Diptera (Cecidomyiidae, Chironomidae, Phoridae and Sciaridae). The estimates given in this paper are based on the sequencing results of over 48,000 fly specimens that have been collected in southern Germany via Malaise traps that were operated for one season each. We evaluated the fraction of species in our samples belonging to well-known fly families in order to estimate the species richness of the challenging "dark taxa" (DT families hereafter). Our results suggest a surprisingly high proportion of undetected biodiversity in a supposedly well-investigated country: at least 1800–2200 species await discovery and description in Germany in these four families. Determining the size of the German insect fauna requires better knowledge of several megadiverse families of Diptera and Hymenoptera that are taxonomically challenging. This study takes the first step in assessing these "dark taxa" families and provides species estimates for four challenging groups of Diptera (Cecidomyiidae, Chironomidae, Phoridae, and Sciaridae). These estimates are based on more than 48,000 DNA barcodes (COI) from Diptera collected by Malaise traps that were deployed in southern Germany. We assessed the fraction of German species belonging to 11 fly families with well-studied taxonomy in these samples. The resultant ratios were then used to estimate the species richness of the four "dark taxa" families (DT families hereafter). Our results suggest a surprisingly high proportion of undetected biodiversity in a supposedly well-investigated country: at least 1800–2200 species await discovery in Germany in these four families. As this estimate is based on collections from one region of Germany, the species count will likely increase with expanded geographic sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 (EUBDS) aims to preserve and restore biodiversity by protecting large areas in the EU. An extensive part of these protected areas will presumably be covered by forests. This study analyses the economic effects of EUBDS implementation on German forestry in two scenarios, based on different possible interpretations of the EUBDS' key commitments, using a forest economic simulation model. A special focus is placed on the opportunity costs of coarse wood debris (CWD). Over a simulated 200-year period, a decrease in timber harvest of 13% and 44% is estimated under the respective scenario assumptions. This leads to a reduction in the silvicultural contribution margin (SCM) of on average 0.25 B EUR a−1 (14%) and 0.79 B EUR a−1 (45%). In terms of the total SCM, protected forests contribute 35% and 15% in the two scenarios. The accumulation and preservation of CWD incurs a substantial loss of utility, as 15% and 19% of annual logging is required for conservation purposes. However, the EUBDS may also provide economically tangible benefits. A rational decision would be to implement a scenario if the "net benefit" from the protected status exceeds the losses from set-aside and conservation requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the multi-scale and multi-factor driving mechanisms of ecosystem services (ES) change is crucial for combating the severe degradation of the ecosystem. We reviewed 408 publications on ecosystem structure, biodiversity, and plant functional traits related to ES in forest ecosystems. Strategies were proposed and key scientific issues were pointed out to improve the forest ecosystem in the karst desertification area. The results showed that the total number of publications has increased rapidly since 2014, of which biodiversity studies contributed the majority. China, the USA, and Germany were the top three countries, accounting for 41%, 9%, and 6% of the research, respectively. Further review found that structure, species diversity, and functional traits have an apparent effect on ES at different (macro, meso, and micro) scales. The optimization of tree structure contributes to the improvement in ES provision and the regulation capacity. Species diversity plays an important role in provision services, while functional diversity is equally important in regulation services. Plant root functional traits can not only help regulation services but also determine the species and structure of rhizosphere microbial communities. The response of ES to a certain factor has been extensively reviewed, but the interaction of multiple driving factors needs to be further studied, especially in how to drive the supply capacity of ES in multi-factor and multi-scale ways. Clarifying the driving mechanism of ES at different scales will help to improve the supply capacity of the ecosystem and achieve the goal of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, UNECE, to which Germany acceded in 1982, the harmful effects of air pollutants on the environment are to be steadily reduced and ultimately limited to a level that is compatible with nature. The ICP Modelling & Mapping (ICP M&M) under the Working Group on Effects (WGE) of CLRTAP maps critical loads for the entire Convention area and calculates the exceedance risks and associated risks to vegetation and biodiversity. A current data request was made in November 2015 with the aim of submitting new or updated ecosystem-specific critical loads for protection against acidification and eutrophication. For this task, critical loads were determined by the authors for one third of the territory of Germany using the simple mass balance (SMB) method according to the ICP Mapping Manual. The permissible eutrophying nitrogen input into the ecosystem CLnut(N), as well as the acidifying sulphur input CLmaxS, can be described as the setting of the equilibrium between substance inputs and outputs, provided that specific critical limits are met. The BERN database—created by the authors—serves as the basis for modelling vegetation-specific critical limits as a complement to the SMB model. The BERN database contains near-natural plant communities with clearly definable site constancy. The 25,600 German and a further 24,600 European vegetation records dating back to before 1960 were evaluated to determine the good ecological status of the plant communities. The results of the critical load calculation show that about half of the receptor areas have critical loads for eutrophying nitrogen below 10 kg ha−1 a−1 and critical loads for acidifying sulphur were below 1500 eq ha−1 a−1. It could be demonstrated that the BERN–SMB-modelled critical loads for eutrophying nitrogen inputs show lower values on average throughout Germany than those calculated using only the previous critical limits according to the ICP Mapping Manual. These values are closer to the empirical critical loads than the critical loads without BERN data. For the goal of the German National Biodiversity Strategy by 2007 and 2020 to define ecosystem-related impact thresholds for pollutants that describe the effects on biodiversity, the BERN/SMB critical loads for the protection of ecosystems provide a precautionary scientific basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we aim to show a proof-of-principle approach to detect and monitor weed management using glyphosate-based herbicides in agricultural practices. In a case study in Germany, we demonstrate the application of Sentinel-2 multispectral time-series data. Spectral broadband vegetation indices were analysed to observe vegetation traits and weed damage arising from herbicide-based management. The approach has been validated with stakeholder information about herbicide treatment using commercial products. As a result, broadband NDVI calculated from Sentinel-2 data showed explicit feedback after the glyphosate-based herbicide treatment. Vegetation damage could be detected after just two days following of glyphosate-based herbicide treatment. This trend was observed in three different application scenarios, i.e., during growing stage, before harvest and after harvest. The findings of the study demonstrate the feasibility of satellite based broadband NDVI data for the detection of glyphosate-based herbicide treatment and, e.g., the monitoring of latency to harvesting. The presented results can be used to implement monitoring concepts to provide the necessary transparency about weed treatment in agricultural practices and to support environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The experience of nature is different for everybody. Some studies used perceived biodiversity as an approach to measure the biodiversity of a location. This present study assessed if laypeople could estimate bird species richness at specific places in southwest Germany. We compared their assessment with bird counts of professional ornithologists and data from the citizen science platform Ornitho (Germany). With a survey, laypeople were asked about the bird diversity they perceived at a given place. About 30 people were surveyed per place, summing up a total of 1184 respondents. The results show that laypeople have a generally good assessment of the bird species richness in recreational areas, correlating with the data of professionals. But since the surveys often were done in the afternoon and their assessment coincided with the professional data of morning and total counts, laypeople seem to make their assessment of biodiversity due to other factors than actual birds seen. The counts of professional ornithologists and citizen science data did not correlate; therefore, we suggest carrying out own professional surveys if possible. Studies about biodiversity and well-being used different approaches to assess biodiversity, e.g., scientific counts and censuses or perceived biodiversity estimated by the respondents. Here, we assessed whether laypeople could estimate the breeding bird diversity or species richness at specific places. For comparison, we carried out bird censuses with standard methods of professional ornithologists and used citizen science data from the internet platform Ornitho (Germany). Lay people from the public (1184 respondents) were surveyed between May and July 2022 at 40 different places in southwest Germany between Rottenburg/Tübingen and Stuttgart following the catchment of the river Neckar (30 people surveyed per place). People were asked to estimate the bird species richness/diversity at this current place. Here, we show that the data from the citizen science platform does not correlate with the professional census counts nor with the perceived species richness of laypeople. Laypeople have a generally good assessment of the bird species richness, correlating with the data of professionals (r = 0.325, p = 0.041). On average, the number of species assessed by laypeople lies in between the values of the professional morning and afternoon census. People were most often surveyed in the afternoon; therefore, their assessment must be done on other factors than actual birds present. This result is valuable for future studies on the connection between biodiversity and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy production will require large areas of land; production sites should be designed to include biodiversity conservation. Guidance for decision-makers on reasonable coexistence is needed. We use time-series data alongside a meta-study on birds in solar parks, utilizing succession theory to indicate which bird groups can thrive in solar parks. Using an evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach, we documented biodiversity and conditions at a 6 ha site in the newly created post-mining landscape of Lusatia, Germany, for 16 years, grouping avian species depending on the ecosystem state in which they were observed. In a key mid-period of early succession lasting eight years, the avifauna was characterized by successional groups 2, herbaceous plant-preferring, ground-breeding species; and 3, open shrub-preferring species. The preceding and following groups were: (1) pioneer bird species that prefer open ground; and (4), pre-forest species. Comparison of these data with available bird monitoring in solar parks showed that bird species of groups 2 and 3 can also successfully settle in open-space solar parks that have some natural habitat attributes, whereas this is hardly possible for the preceding and following groups. Using this information, opportunities for habitat improvement are facilitated, and potential conflicts can be addressed more purposefully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Many mosquito species can transmit pathogens and may pose a risk to human health. With increasing urbanization and alteration of natural habitats, the composition of mosquito communities is changing, with some species thriving particularly well in and adjacent to human settlements. In the present study, indoor mosquito collections submitted to the citizen science project 'Mückenatlas' were used to investigate the composition, abundance, and diversity of species of different urbanization levels, and to detect preferences for less or more urbanized areas. We found that species richness and diversity decreases with increasing urbanization, and some important vector species are captured most frequently in densely urbanized regions. Our results highlight the importance of long-term mosquito monitoring to learn how these vectors respond to habitat change caused by humans. Only with sufficient knowledge about the ecology of mosquitoes can we assess risks, plan counter strategies, and take action. Urbanization has been associated with a loss of overall biodiversity and a simultaneous increase in the abundance of a few species that thrive in urban habitats, such as highly adaptable mosquito vectors. To better understand how mosquito communities differ between levels of urbanization, we analyzed mosquito samples from inside private homes submitted to the citizen science project 'Mückenatlas'. Applying two urbanization indicators based on soil sealing and human population density, we compared species composition and diversity at, and preferences towards, different urbanization levels. Species composition between groups of lowest and highest levels of urbanization differed significantly, which was presumably caused by reduced species richness and the dominance of synanthropic mosquito species in urban areas. The genus Anopheles was frequently submitted from areas with a low degree of urbanization, Aedes with a moderate degree, and Culex and Culiseta with a high degree of urbanization. Making use of citizen science data, this first study of indoor mosquito diversity in Germany demonstrated a simplification of communities with increasing urbanization. The dominance of vector-competent species in urban areas poses a potential risk of epidemics of mosquito-borne diseases that can only be contained by a permanent monitoring of mosquitoes and by acquiring a deeper knowledge about how anthropogenic activities affect vector ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the economic benefits of fundamental forest ecosystem services (FES) for the population in Germany at national level in monetary terms and estimate the spatial distribution of these benefits at county level. Specifically, we consider the benefits of timber production, of global climate protection due to carbon sequestration, of recreation for local residents, and of services for nature protection and landscape amenity. Combining information from official statistics and data from valuation studies that are compatible with economic demand theory, we identify spatial drivers of FES benefits and derive generic valuation functions for each of the services. Using a Geographic Information System, these valuation functions are applied to the conditions in the Local Administrative Units (municipalities), resulting in Benefit Function Transfer estimates for each service and each municipality. Afterwards, results are aggregated to NUTS-3 level (counties) and mapped. Aggregate annual benefits of timber production to society as a whole, of climate protection and of recreation services together exceed the ten billion Euro mark—far more than what is reflected in market statistics. Scenarios illustrate the potential for enhancing nature protection benefits particularly by restoring forest biodiversity, as measured by an avifaunistic indicator. The spatial analysis reveals distinct distributional patterns for each of the services. We conclude that a spatially explicit valuation for an entire country is possible even with limited data, which can help policy makers improve the institutional setting in a way that the protection and use of the forests become more sustainable and efficient. After pointing at several caveats, we finally suggest various possibilities for further model development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize cultivation faces some challenges, particularly in terms of low biodiversity in fields. Since maize is a highly efficient and economic crop, it is cultivated on large areas in Germany, with a high share in crop rotation, especially where cattle farming takes place. Such landscapes provide less habitat and food resources for small vertebrates and arthropods. Intercropping maize with flowering partners might have a positive effect on the environment and might promote biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems. Therefore, in two-year field experiments on three sites in south-western Germany, plants were tested for their suitability as intercropping partners in maize crops (Medicago sativa, Melilotus officinalis, Vicia sativa, Tropaeolum majus, Cucurbita pepo, and Phaseolus vulgaris). Almost all tested partners produced flowers, except M. officinalis. Intercropping maize with P. vulgaris or T. majus achieved comparable dry matter yields as sole maize, without changes in the biomass quality. For maize-intercropping, site adapted weed control and practicable sowing technique are mandatory, which already exist for P. vulgaris and T. majus. The study shows that intercropping maize with biodiversity-enhancing flowering partners can provide an applicable alternative to sole maize cropping and enhance biodiversity. The large production areas of maize have great potential for ecological improvements in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine ecosystems of temperate regions are highly modified by human activity and far from their original natural status. The North Sea, known as an intensively used area, has lost its offshore oyster grounds due to overexploitation in a relatively short time. Native oyster beds as a once abundant and ecologically highly important biogenic reef-type have vanished from the North Sea ecosystem in most areas of both their former distribution and magnitude. Worldwide, oyster stocks have been severely exploited over the past centuries. According to estimates, about 85% of the worldwide oyster reef habitats have been destroyed over the course of the last century. This loss of oyster populations has meant far more than just the loss of a valuable food resource. Oyster reefs represent a characteristic benthic community which offers a variety of valuable ecosystem services: better water quality, local decrease of toxic algal blooms, increase in nutrient uptake, increase of bentho-pelagic coupling, increase in species richness, increase of multidimensional biogenic structures which provide habitat, food, and protection for numerous invertebrate and fish species. The aim of oyster restoration is to promote redevelopment of this valuable missing habitat. The development of strategies, methods, and procedures for a sustainable restoration of the European oyster Ostrea edulis in the German North Sea is currently a focus of marine nature conservation. Main drivers for restoring this ecological key species are the enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the marine environment. Results of these investigations will support the future development and implementation of a large-scale and long-term German native oyster restoration programme to re-establish a healthy population of this once-abundant species now absent from the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]