LIFE FOR BIODIVERSITY
LIFE FOR BIODIVERSITY
Impact of human activities on biodiversity conservation
Biodiversity encompasses the variety of plants, animals, microorganisms, habitats, ecosystems, and genetic characteristics within species, including breeds and cultivated varieties. Estimates suggest there are 10 to 100 million species worldwide, of which only about 1.7 million have been explored so far. Human activities have significantly threatened and reduced biodiversity in recent years.
Biological diversity is a valuable natural heritage and an essential foundation for human life. It plays a crucial role in ecosystem processes and the adaptation of ecosystems to changing conditions, especially in climate change. More species and genetic diversity enhance adaptability to environmental changes. Furthermore, only unspoiled nature can protect against floods and soil erosion and provides essential products such as food, building materials, and ingredients for medicines.
Austria is one of the most species-rich countries in Europe thanks to its geographic diversity, with approximately 67,000 species, including 45,000 animal species and 3,000 fern and flowering plant species. Across Europe, there are an estimated 200,000 animal and plant species.
Biodiversity in Austria is greatly affected by land use, industrialization, infrastructure development, habitat destruction, climate change, and light emissions. Similar problems exist throughout the EU, where many wetlands and numerous animal species are threatened.
Biological diversity is a valuable natural heritage and an essential foundation for human life. It plays a crucial role in ecosystem processes and the adaptation of ecosystems to changing conditions, especially in climate change. More species and genetic diversity enhance adaptability to environmental changes. Furthermore, only unspoiled nature can protect against floods and soil erosion and provides essential products such as food, building materials, and ingredients for medicines.
Austria is one of the most species-rich countries in Europe thanks to its geographic diversity, with approximately 67,000 species, including 45,000 animal species and 3,000 fern and flowering plant species. Across Europe, there are an estimated 200,000 animal and plant species.
Biodiversity in Austria is greatly affected by land use, industrialization, infrastructure development, habitat destruction, climate change, and light emissions. Similar problems exist throughout the EU, where many wetlands and numerous animal species are threatened.
Wild bees
Wild bees, like honey bees, are part of the insect order Hymenoptera and belong to the family Apidae. They mostly lead solitary lives, with only bumblebees and some sweat bees being social. Wild bees prefer warm and dry conditions.
The reproduction of solitary wild bees is carried out by the female, which alone constructs and supplies 4 to 30 brood cells during its four- to eight-week flight period. About 30% of wild bees depend on the pollen of specific plants, a condition known as oligolectic. Most wild bees live solitarily, while some, like cuckoo bees, live parasitically and sneak their larvae into the nests of others. They play a crucial role as pollinators for wild plants, fruit trees, and crops, contributing to biodiversity. Wild bees feed on nectar and pollen, with many species relying on the pollen of specific plants.
The reproduction of solitary wild bees is carried out by the female, which alone constructs and supplies 4 to 30 brood cells during its four- to eight-week flight period. About 30% of wild bees depend on the pollen of specific plants, a condition known as oligolectic. Most wild bees live solitarily, while some, like cuckoo bees, live parasitically and sneak their larvae into the nests of others. They play a crucial role as pollinators for wild plants, fruit trees, and crops, contributing to biodiversity. Wild bees feed on nectar and pollen, with many species relying on the pollen of specific plants.
A Europe-wide Viruses are widespread among bees, but their occurrence and interactions, especially between honey bees and wild bees, are still poorly understood. The shared use of floral resources connects bee species in a network that allows for viral transmission in all directions.
The presence of three viruses was detected in honey bees, bumblebees, and solitary bees, with the Deformed Wing Virus being the most widespread. Geographic differences in virus distribution were observed, which could not be solely attributed to climatic conditions.
A high prevalence of viruses in honey bees could also affect wild bees. Additionally, it is expected that climate change, with its extremes, will influence the occurrence of viruses in wild bees, especially in areas with extreme temperatures and rainfall.
Wld bees: Key to polination and biodiversity
Wild bees are essential for pollination, plant diversity and biodiversity. They promote seed and fruit production and secure food sources. Their decline threatens food security and biodiversity.
Threat from human influences
Climate change, habitat loss, monocultures, pesticides and beekeeping are jeopardising wild bees, plant life and food supplies. With shorter flight distances between their nests and food sources than honey bees, they are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes. Up to 68 % of the species in Central Europe are threatened.
Necessary habits
Wild bees need nesting sites, food and building materials, natural structures such as open ground, dry stone walls and plant stems;
Promotion through simple measures
Flower meadows, natural stone walls and structured gardens with hedges, flower beds and ponds create habitats. The reuse of existing materials and tolerance of "weeds" help to preserve food sources.
Challenges posed by landscape change
Intensive agriculture and land sealing are destroying flower-rich habitats. The loss of sand paths, hedges and piles of dead wood leads to a lack of nesting sites and food shortages, especially in late summer.
Competition on between wild and hony bees
In regions with few flowers, honey bees displace wild bees. Studies show competition for food, but direct investigations are limited.
Human responsibility
The decline in wild bees is due to the loss of structurally rich habitats, not just honey bees. Both coexist in flower-rich areas. Cities and rural regions are equally affected. According to the 2011 Red List, 52.2 % of bee species are threatened.
Biodiversity encompasses the variety of plants, animals, microorganisms, habitats, ecosystems and genetic characteristics, including cultivated and domesticated species. Around 1.75 million species have been scientifically recorded worldwide, although the actual number is unknown and estimates range between 2.5 and 30 million species.
Human activity has significantly threatened and reduced biodiversity in recent years.
Biodiversity is a valuable natural heritage and an essential basis of life. It plays a crucial role in ecosystem processes and in adapting to environmental changes, particularly in the context of climate change. Species and genetic diversity increase adaptability. In addition, an intact natural environment protects against flooding and soil erosion and provides vital resources such as food, building materials and medicinal substances.
Thanks to its geographical diversity, Austria is one of the most biodiverse countries in Europe, with an estimated 68,000 species, including around 54,000 animal species.
According to Red Lists, more than half of all amphibians and reptiles, almost half of all fish and a third of all birds and mammals are endangered.
The main causes of biodiversity loss in Austria and the EU are land use changes, industrialisation, infrastructure development, climate change and habitat destruction.
Human activity has significantly threatened and reduced biodiversity in recent years.
Biodiversity is a valuable natural heritage and an essential basis of life. It plays a crucial role in ecosystem processes and in adapting to environmental changes, particularly in the context of climate change. Species and genetic diversity increase adaptability. In addition, an intact natural environment protects against flooding and soil erosion and provides vital resources such as food, building materials and medicinal substances.
Thanks to its geographical diversity, Austria is one of the most biodiverse countries in Europe, with an estimated 68,000 species, including around 54,000 animal species.
According to Red Lists, more than half of all amphibians and reptiles, almost half of all fish and a third of all birds and mammals are endangered.
The main causes of biodiversity loss in Austria and the EU are land use changes, industrialisation, infrastructure development, climate change and habitat destruction.
Bats
Bats need connected habitats: roosts, hunting grounds and flight corridors. They use nursery roosts for breeding, hibernacula to avoid energy loss, and swarming and mating roosts to ensure genetic exchange. They hunt in vegetation, on structures or in the airspace; wetlands and forests promote their diversity. Dark flight corridors are essential for orientation and fitness.
Mutualism
Bats interact with various species in different interspecific relationships:
In Europe, direct mutualism between bats and plants, especially through pollination, is less common than in tropical regions. However, some plant species, such as the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), are adapted to pollination by bats.
In Europe, direct mutualism between bats and plants, especially through pollination, is less common than in tropical regions. However, some plant species, such as the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), are adapted to pollination by bats.
Parasitism
Bats host ectoparasites like bat flies and wing mites that feed on their blood and may transmit diseases. These parasites can cause blood loss, infections, behavioural changes, and strain the immune system. However, recent studies question how much bats actually suffer from them. Bats also carry viruses, including coronaviruses transmissible to animals or humans.
Commensalism
Some bats roost in human structures like buildings or bridges without harming humans. Understanding such relationships is key to bat conservation and ecological balance.
Conservation organisations such as Bat Conservation International are working to reduce threats to bats through research, habitat protection and public education. They monitor populations, protect important habitats and develop strategies to combat diseases such as WNS – White Nose Syndrom.
Loss of habitat
The destruction of sleeping and feeding places, often caused by urbanisation and deforestation, poses a significant threat.
Pesticide use
The use of pesticides reduces the availability of insects as a food source and can lead to poisoning, which poses an additional risk to the bats.
Climate change
changes in climate affect insect populations and the availability of suitable roosting places, which in turn affects the survival of the bats. Bats responded both positively (e.g. range expansion) and negatively (e.g. population decline), with extreme events always resulting in negative or neutral responses.