In addition to green and open spaces, the many buildings on campus also provide important sanctuaries for many animals and plant species – including endangered, rare, and legally protected species. Buildings are essential for the protection and continued development of biodiversity in built-up areas. For several years now, renovations have increasingly taken into account the protection of bird and bat species that live in buildings on campus. The goal is to strike a balance between the objectives of climate protection, such as energy-efficient building renovations, with the objectives of nature conservation and species protection.

© M. Kretzschmar, TUD

Common kestrel

The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) lives in Germany all year round and, as a bird that readily adapts to human settlements, inhabits built-up areas in the vicinity of humans. It uses old trees, high building towers and ledges as nesting sites. Kestrels regularly nest and raise young birds in the towers of the Schumann Building and the Fritz Förster Building. This species is not endangered.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

European orchard bee

The European orchard bee (Osmia cornuta) is jet-black with a rust-red hairy abdomen. Females have two small horns on the front of their head. They look for nesting sites on the walls of houses and in walls. Cracks in walls, cavities in bricks or holes in plaster, even shutters and window frames provide good nesting habitats. European orchard bees are typical visitors to spring flowers.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Ivy as facade greenery

Common ivy (Hedera helix) provides extensive green facades on buildings such as the Hülße Building, W. Frenzel Building and Mollier Building. Lots of insects (beetles, bees, wasps, flies and moths) use the flower nectar. Berries provide winter food for birds, which also find a variety of nesting habitats in ivy. Green facades create more nature-friendly surroundings and improve the microclimate.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Pulvinate dry rock moss

Pulvinate dry rock moss (Grimmia pulvinata) is often found on walls, stones or bricks. The moss is cushion-like in appearance with silvery lanceolate leaves, making it very well adapted to sunny locations. They reflect sunlight and help absorb moisture from dew. Mosses are one of the oldest types of plant life in the world. They have a unique resistance to climatic conditions.

© M. Kretzschmar, TUD

Green roofs

Extensive green roofs can be found on some campus buildings, such as the Modular Building. This creates an ecological balance in built-up areas. These areas provide a valuable habitat for insects in particular, and they also play an important role in rainwater management. Planting must be diverse, suitable for the site, and insect-friendly.

© I. Herr, TUD

Conservation measures

Buildings provide habitats for swifts, kestrels and some bat species. Large glass facades on buildings pose invisible obstacles for birds, resulting in bird collisions. Selected facades in Tharandt and on the main campus have therefore been fitted with films to improve visual perception.