Insect and biodiversity monitoring concepts

The proven massive insect decline of the last decades could only have been detected on the basis of monitoring data. The recording of biodiversity, i.e. the measurement of different species – plants, beetles, spiders, flies, bees, birds, soil animals, etc. – in the different habitats over time requires a precisely coordinated concept in order to be able to optimally use and evaluate the resulting data. Without such measurements, however, knowledge about the development and its causes remains uncertain.

gaiac is engaged in various research projects to develop tailored monitoring concepts.  For this purpose, data on permanent monitoring programmes such as the German Federal States’ permanent soil monitoring (BDF) or the Ecological Area Sampling (ÖFS) are analysed and evaluated. On the basis of these analyses, gaiac has drawn up proposals for the new design or further development of existing programmes. The objectives can be very different and range from the planning of a GMO monitoring (BfN), an integrated monitoring to record the effects of pesticides (UBA), a climate impact monitoring for soil biodiversity (UBA) or a tailored monitoring to assess specific measures (Biological Station in the District of Aachen).

gaiac is involved in the implementation of various projects, including the Germany-wide insect monitoring in Baden Württemberg. Insects are recorded and biomasses and species numbers are determined for different sites. During implementation, possible optimisation and necessary changes become visible, so that gaiac is active in an advisory capacity for the further development of insect monitoring. gaiac’s goal is to help develop survey standards for the collection of monitoring data.