Hesse, a state in the heart of Germany, is characterized by a diverse biocultural landscape. From the wooded low mountain ranges like the Taunus and the Vogelsberg to the fertile valleys along the Rhine, Hesse offers a wide range of habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. The flora is marked by deciduous and coniferous trees in the forests, as well as typical Central European plants such as beeches, oaks, and chestnuts. The fauna includes a variety of species, including deer, wild boar, foxes, badgers, and various bird species like woodpeckers and owls. The people of Hesse have developed a close relationship with nature over the centuries, reflected in traditions such as the preservation of orchards and the protection of nature reserves. Despite challenges from land use, urbanization, and climate change, the protection and preservation of this biocultural diversity remain crucial for the future of Hesse and the well-being of its residents.
While the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is only known to most Europeans as an invasive species, it once had divine significance in its namesake homeland. Although its original distribution area extended across almost the entire African continent, it was particularly worshipped in ancient Egypt, especially around Thebes. There it was considered a deity, Gengen Wer, "the great cackler," whose loud cackle filled the primordial darkness and who laid the world egg in a mulberry tree in Heliopolis, from which light and the world then emerged. This deity was one of the various manifestations associated with the complex Egyptian pantheon, which included the fertility aspects of gods like Amun. People assumed that creation was a continuous cycle and that every human being hatched from an underworld goose egg.
In deadwood, it is common for fungi to decompose more organic material than they directly consume. This is because fungi engage in extracellular digestion, producing enzymes to break down the complex material of deadwood into simpler compounds. During this process, nutrients in the wood are released for the fungi and other organisms in the surrounding ecosystem.
The rich microbiome developing on deadwood can also contribute to decomposition and nutrient release. The diversity of microorganisms colonizing deadwood, including various fungal species and bacteria, enhances the efficiency of decomposition and nutrient release.
Deadwood decomposition plays a vital role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and making them available for the growth of new plants and organisms. While fungi utilize nutrients for their own growth, other organisms also benefit from the released nutrients, contributing to a rich and diverse ecosystem.
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This post is part of the artistic performance The Happening on Instagram.
When it's unbearably hot, the best thing to do is go into the forest and cool off by the stream. 💦🥰🌲🌳 And it's even better if you can watch fallow deer (Dama dama) playing.😊
The distance between the eyes of hoverflies is always narrower in males than in females.👀
Their larvae eat aphids and the adults feed on flower nectar and pollen.🌺🌼🌸
📊 Around 48,000 animal species have been identified in Germany, including over 33,000 insect species. Insects make up around 70 percent of all animal species in Germany.
Behind me you can see the presumed remains of Nürings Castle. Around 1100, the Counts of Nürings built a residence on the mountain. After the male line died out in 1171, the county of Nürings was first taken over by the Lords of Münzenberg and then by the Lords of Bolanden. In 1233, after a division of the family property, Philipp von Bolanden called himself "von Falkenstein". This new Falkenstein line removed the remains of Nürings Castle and built New Falkenstein Castle right next to it.
