At the Andreas Schubert Building and the garden protected by historical preservation laws at the Barkhausen Building, you will find ponds whose flora and fauna have been studied in detail. The ponds are part of elaborately designed green spaces that were created in the 1950s and 1960s for representation purposes and continue to enrich the campus today as places of relaxation. The ponds also perform important ecological functions. They are particularly valuable biotopes for highly endangered groups of organisms such as amphibians, reptiles, insects and molluscs (snails).

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Smooth newt

Surprisingly, the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) has been found both in the pond at the Andreas Schubert Building and the Sunken Garden at the Barkhausen Building. The smooth newt is a protected species, which can be found in sunny ponds and pools rich with aquatic plants. During the mating season, the male develops a raised and wavy skin seam (crest).

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Azure damselfly

The azure damselfly belongs to the suborder Zygoptera, and is often found at small bodies of water. Their habitat requirements are rather modest. It is difficult to distinguish them from other members of their species, so it is worth taking a closer look. From May to August, it can be observed on campus near ponds.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Caddisfly larvae

The inconspicuous caddisfly is closely related to butterflies. Its aquatic larvae have been found in both ponds on campus. Adult larvae enclose themselves in a case for pupation. The final molt takes place on the surface of the water, where the adult caddisflies no longer feed, but simply reproduce.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Corixidae

The dark-colored corixidae with its strikingly large head was discovered in the pond at the Andreas Schubert Building. The corixidae can be found in many stagnant bodies of water and are able to move quickly in water thanks to their swimming legs. Some species can transition directly from water to flight. During mating season, the males also produce sounds by stridulating at the water's edge.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Fish leech

The fish leech (Piscicola geometra) is easily recognized by its round shape, with longitudinal rows of black or brown dots and the two suction cups on its head. Clinging to water plants, wood or stones, it waits for a fish to swim by so that it can attach itself to it and feed on its blood. They can be found in many bodies of water.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Water louse

The water louse (Asellus aquaticus) belongs to the crustacean family and can be found in nutrient-rich, often polluted waters, where it feeds on decomposed plant remains, algae and biofilm. The water louse tolerates high and low water temperatures – it can even survive freezing.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Water mint

The inconspicuous water mint (Mentha aquatica) belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its spherical flowers, which range from pink to purple, are intensely fragrant and are visited by numerous insects. The leaves contain essential oils and give off the typical smell of mint. It reproduces by means of stolons and by its seeds floating in water (hydrochory).

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Hornwort

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) can be recognized by its whorled leaves, and is quite undemanding. It absorbs many nutrients from the water and is therefore very popular in aquariums for combating algae. Its reproduction occurs vegetatively. Its fruits are spread by water currents and animals such as birds. Hornwort is found in numerous bodies of water.