Not all green fields are the same

Plant Biodiversity Group, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Jena

A cow looks over the shoulder of student Madlaina Götz while she is making a vegetation-analysis. Plants are identified, catalogued and sized in order to document the biodiversity and characteristics of the plants to observe them in longterm. A research area with is called "Buckelwiese" on the Mordaualm is one of the most species-rich meadows in Bavaria. For example, 50 different species were identified on 4 m² in the Mordaualm - on a comparatively species rich dry-meadow in the Pennickental in Jena, just 25 species are found. Exploring biodiversity and plant characteristics over a long-term period and at different locations allows scientists to understand how much agriculture and climate change affect single plants and plant communities.

© Solveig Franziska Bucher

Not all green fields are the same

Plant Biodiversity Group, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Jena

A cow looks over the shoulder of student Madlaina Götz while she is making a vegetation-analysis. Plants are identified, catalogued and sized in order to document the biodiversity and characteristics of the plants to observe them in longterm. A research area with is called "Buckelwiese" on the Mordaualm is one of the most species-rich meadows in Bavaria. For example, 50 different species were identified on 4 m² in the Mordaualm - on a comparatively species rich dry-meadow in the Pennickental in Jena, just 25 species are found. Exploring biodiversity and plant characteristics over a long-term period and at different locations allows scientists to understand how much agriculture and climate change affect single plants and plant communities.

© Solveig Franziska Bucher