Red Lists Paint Bleak Picture for Lower Saxony's Native Species
The latest Red Lists for Lower Saxony and Bremen reveal a grim picture for many native species. Mammals, bats, small mammals, and grasshoppers face severe threats, with climate change, urbanization, and land use changes among the key culprits. However, there's hope as some previously extinct species have returned.
The updated lists, compiled by Dietrich and Paulus in 2020, show that one third of native mammals and grasshoppers are threatened or extinct. A staggering 35% of assessed mammal species are at risk, with bats and small mammals in critical condition. The 'Graues Langohr' bat, European hamster, and garden dormouse are critically endangered.
Road traffic and lawn mowing robots pose threats to the hedgehog. Intensive land use, loss of landscape structure, and pesticides have led to a decline in bat and small mammal species. 14 out of 53 grasshopper species are at risk, with the Heath Grasshopper critically endangered. Climate change, land use changes, and inappropriate habitat management also threaten these species.
While several previously extinct species, like the lynx, harbor seal, wolf, and beaver, have returned to Lower Saxony, the future remains uncertain for many others. Promoting structurally diverse habitats and connecting existing habitats are crucial for long-term species preservation. Conservation efforts must address the root causes, including urbanization, transport routes, and climate change, to protect these vulnerable species.