Climate research
Research: What effect does drought have on Hiddensee’s health?
Animals can ensure that Hiddensee’s health is able to better cope with drought – this is the result of scientific research on the island. Heide is partly covered in the analysis.
The sand dunes belong to the island of Hiddensee, as does the Dornbusch lighthouse. But how do these plants tolerate dry seasons, even though they are becoming more frequent? Scientists at the University of Greifswald investigated this question as part of a global drought experiment. One result: If the health land is looked after, for example grazed by animals, then the dry land will survive better.
“Drought reduces plant vitality. But if several phases of drought occur in succession, the damage not only increases, but becomes much greater,” says plant ecologist Jürgen Kreyling, explaining other results. What is important is not just the intensity of one dry year, but its repetition over several years, which significantly increases the stress on plants.
The roof structure prevents rain
The science team used roof structures to direct rainfall away from grassland areas to simulate extreme drought. The researchers also compared younger areas, which were regularly maintained, and older areas that had not been cultivated for a long time. According to information, the latter is much less resistant to drought.
“For nature conservation purposes, the sand dunes at Hiddensee are grazed by sheep and goats by an itinerant shepherd,” explains Kreyling. Partial erosion ensures, among other things, that heather plants do not age and new plants can germinate. As a result, heather treated in this way is also able to cope with drought better. According to Kreyling, he first saw significant drought damage in Hiddensee in 2018.
Nature conservation measures are being adapted
According to the University of Greifswald, nature conservation measures in Hiddensee, as in other grassland areas, are adapted to the results of climate research. Kreyling recommends, for example, that so-called “plagging” should be done on a small scale, not on a large scale. All existing plants and some soil are removed to create the best growing conditions for the heather. However, subsequent drought can inhibit seed regeneration.
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The results were included in an international study published in the specialist magazine Science and other German institutions were also involved. According to the University of Greifswald, rainfall is deliberately reduced in various ecosystems around the world with rain-free roofs to simulate the impact of extreme dry periods. Findings from other regions of the world also show that repeated years of drought cause disproportionate plant loss, even in seemingly robust ecosystems.
dpa
