Döberitzer Heide: Rare bees and wasps discover biodiversity!

Döberitzer Heide: Rare bees and wasps discover biodiversity!

In the Döberitzer Heide, a quiet corner in Brandenburg, there is exciting news for nature lovers and insect research enthusiasts alike. Fortunately, twelve new species of wild bees and wasps were recently discovered there. This results in the total number of species on the former military site increasing to around 550, like rbb24 reported. The Döberitzer Heide has established itself as the most species-rich area in Brandenburg for wild bees and wasps, which speaks for the valuable biodiversity of the region.

Particularly noteworthy is the discovery of the purple golden wasp, which was rediscovered after more than 25 years of reparations. This federally endangered species is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other wasps. The larvae that hatch kill the offspring of the host wasps and feed on their supplies. Such discoveries show the successes of targeted landscape management in the Döberitzer Heide, which has been achieved through extensive grazing.

Latest research and editions

Dr. Christoph Saure, an experienced entomologist from Berlin, has been actively researching wild bees and wasps in the Döberitzer Heide for years. In 2018 he documented 279 species there and is now traveling to the Ferbitzer Bruch again, commissioned by the Heinz Sielmann Foundation, to examine further species. In addition, a total of 800 Stechimmen species are recorded in Brandenburg, 65 of which are considered extinct. This number shows how important and valuable the protective measures are here Sielmann Foundation.

In order to ensure the diversity of wild bees, plant diversity is essential. Wild bees, which require special nesting structures and plants, have great demands on their habitat. What is impressive is that 90 percent of wild bees are solitary and are characterized by a wide range of habitats in Germany CONVENTION explained. While many species depend on pollen specialists, honey bees are domesticated and have increased in number in recent decades. Wild bees, on the other hand, often depend on certain plant families, which greatly influences their chances of survival.

Importance of landscape management

The unique location and the long military use of the Döberitzer Heide have contributed to the area being largely spared from intensive agricultural use. This is crucial for the high level of biodiversity that can be found there today. These care measures are not only important for the wild bees and wasps, but also for the entire ecosystem. By combining nature conservation and practical landscape management, we can protect and preserve a piece of nature.

The investigation in the Döberitzer Heide clearly shows that we are in tune with the times and must protect valuable biodiversity. It remains exciting to see what other species will be discovered in the future and what contribution they can make to biodiversity.