Save forest variety: Dead wood protects species in the Lainz Tiergarten!

Save forest variety: Dead wood protects species in the Lainz Tiergarten!

Today on March 21, 2025, the World's Day of the Forest, the significant role of dead wood management in the forest is emphasized. According to the environmental roof association, forests are not only a vital part of our ecosystem, but also fulfill numerous functions to maintain soil, water and climate. Gerald Pfiffinger, managing director of the environmental roof association, explains that the degree of biodiversity, in particular the condition of beetle and lichen species, is a decisive indicator of the effectiveness of these measures. The protection and promotion of dead wood are of central importance in order to secure the diverse habitats for numerous animal and plant species, says Pfiffinger.

A natural forest management is necessary for the preservation of biodiversity. Christian Fraissl, forest expert at the environmental roof association, emphasizes that the proportion of dead wood must be present in different decay stages in order to meet the special needs of beetles and lichen. Austria houses around 1,400 types of beetles that rely on dead wood, with 159 of which are very endangered. In the Lainzer Tiergarten, a biodiversity hotspot, remarkable finds were made. Harald Komposch has proven two extremely rare types of lichen, which shows the high ecological quality of this area and speaks for successful dead wood management, such as Oekonews.at reported.

variety of the flora and fauna in the Lainzer Tiergarten

The Lainzer Tiergarten is not only known for its rare plant species; It also offers habitat for a variety of animals. Over 94 bird species, including rare woodpeckers and various birds of prey, can be found here. 15 types of reptiles and amphibians live in the waters, while the dead wood offers a home for numerous insects, including many butterfly species. For a long time, the zoo was a place where the extermination and back breeding of animals, such as the Auerochsen, was intensively operated. This combination of rich habitats and successful nature conservation makes the Lainzer Tiergarten a unique place in Vienna, such as the information from lainzer-tiergarten.at document.