Climate change is transforming Berlin gardens into Mediterranean paradises!

Climate change is transforming Berlin gardens into Mediterranean paradises!

In Cologne, as elsewhere in Germany, the flora is becoming increasingly Mediterranean in the face of climate change. A current report on rbb24 points out that warmer and drier climatic conditions not only influence the biodiversity in gardens and parks, but also constantly change it. Mediterranean plants are increasingly in demand and can cope better with the new weather conditions.

In recent years, plants such as the Hungarian oak, tree hazel and various types of figs have become established in Berlin parks. However, expert Derk Ehlert also warns of the threat posed by invasive species, particularly the tree of heaven, which originally comes from Asia. This species, which was planted in Central Europe around 250 years ago, has spread rapidly in the last few decades and harms local trees by depriving them of light.

The fight against invasive species

Concerns about invasive neobiota are not only in focus in Berlin. There is also a lively discussion in Cologne about how to properly deal with these species. Loud berlin.de The EU Commission has already issued several regulations to counteract invasive species. The implementing regulation, adopted in 2016, aims to regulate the import and distribution of alien animal and plant species in the EU.

In total, there are now 84 to 88 species on the Union list that can have significant negative impacts on biodiversity. The constant spread of these species has alarmed experts because they could pose a lasting threat to the local flora and fauna.

The consequences of climate change

Climate change not only affects the flora in urban areas, but also has far-reaching effects on overall biodiversity. This change will be discussed at the upcoming Biodiversity Congress in Montreal, as the University of Frankfurt reports in a recent article ( uni-frankfurt.de ). Here, experts around the world are fighting to find ways to stop the mass extinction of species that already threatens 150 species every day.

Habitats are becoming increasingly single-story due to climatic changes and human intervention, meaning many species are being forced to move to higher regions. Historical comparisons show that vegetation zones have already shifted upwards by at least 200 meters, severely testing the adaptability of many species.

So there is still a lot to be done to ensure the diversity of our flora and fauna. The challenges are great, and in the end the survival of many species depends as much on human actions as on their own adaptive abilities.