Biodiversity Project "Löffelkraut & Co"
The Biodiversity Project "Löffelkraut & Co" is the preservation and promotion of the Bavarian scurvygrass (Cochlearia bavarica) and other endemics.
The primary objective of the Biodiversity Project "Löffelkraut & Co" is to permanently and sustainably secure and develop the nationally significant growth places of the Bavarian scurvygrass (Cochlearia bavarica) and the growth places of other major supraregional endemic species such as is for example one of the goldilock buttercups (Ranunculus rostratulus). The two species mentioned above are exemplary indicator species for characteristic habitat types in the project area and have their place of first description (= locus classicus) in the project area. They typify the one for natural lime-source corridors, little affected source streams and stream headwaters and the other for smaller stream valleys with wet, extensive meadows. In summary, it is biotope complexes, which were greatly endangered in recent years by the increasing land pressure and use intensification and the need to be backed up by extensive grassland, which includes the entire valley area and the adjacent passing.
The biodiversity project already looks back on a long project history, with various project promoters and sponsors.
2010:
- Project Support: Bund Naturschutz in Bayern e.V., Kreisgruppe Memmingen-Unterallgäu
- Promotion: Government of Swabia
- Project Area: Growth places of the Bavarian scurvygrass in Swabia
- Projekt Management: Peter Harsch
2011 - 2015:
- Project Support: Bund Naturschutz in Bayern e.V.
- Promotion: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation as part of the "Bundesprogramm Biologische Vielfalt"; Bavarian Nature Conservation Fund
- Project Area: Growth places of the Bavarian scurvygrass in Swabia and Upper Bavaria
- Projekt Management: Peter Harsch (Swabia), Gabriela Schneider (Upper Bavaria)
2017-2019:
- Project Support: Stiftung KulturLandschaft Günztal
- Promotion: Government of Swabia
- Project Area: Growth places of the Bavarian scurvygrass in Swabia
- Projekt Management: Peter Harsch
UN Decade on Biodiversity, 2011 to 2020
The UN Decade on Biodiversity 2011 - 2020 is concerned with the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, access to genetic resources, and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from such use. It is also intended to promote public awareness of the value of biological diversity and responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of its components.
Goals of the UN Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
Biological diversity is declining worldwide, and Germany is no exception. The current rate of extinction is largely the result of human activities. In order to stop this downward trend, the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has been in existence since 1992. To implement this convention, the international community adopted the strategic plan 2011 – 2020 in 2010. This implementation is to be supported by the UN Decade on Biodiversity 2011 - 2020, also proclaimed by the United Nations in 2010.
The UN Decade is concerned with the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, access to genetic resources, and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from such use. It is also intended to promote public awareness of the value of biological diversity and responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of its components.
Design of the German UN Decade on Biodiversity
In Germany a comprehensive National Strategy on Biological Diversity has been in place since 2007 for implementing the CBD. This strategy contains concrete visions and many ambitious goals and activities for the period up to 2020, and addresses all actors in society. During the UN Decade, a number of initiatives have been started in Germany going beyond the national implementation process, to make more people aware of the need to conserve biological diversity, the natural basis for our lives. Decade focus topics will adress a variety of aspects in everyday life of German citizens. Prominent persons and young ambassadors ensure authentic communication of the theme to the public. Awards will be presented to exemplary Decade projects of various actors. Cooperative activities with media, associations, foundations, institutions and businesses will transport the issue of “biological diversity” into society.
(Zitat von www.un-dekade-biologische-vielfalt.de)
On 31.07.2014 "Löffelkraut & Co" was awarded as offical project of the UN Decade on Biodiversity. The award was made by the Bavarian Environment Minister Dr. Marcel Huber and the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for the Environment Florian Pronold.
In November 2014, the project has been selected by online voting at month project of the "UN Decade of Biodiversity".