Biodiversity in and around Grünauer Forst

The exciting project week at the Buntzelberg primary school was all about biodiversity in and around Grünauer Forst. The aim was to familiarise the pupils with the fascinating flora and fauna of their surroundings and to teach them about ecological relationships, dependencies and symbioses in a playful way.

The first day started with an introduction to the systematics and identification of animal and plant species. Exciting games and films about the fragility of ecosystems brought the topic to life and made it comprehensible. It was particularly exciting when the pupils were able to experience living insects such as wandering leaves and spiny leave insects from the tropics up close. This helped to reduce prejudices and fears of the little creatures.

The highlight of the week was the excursion to Grünauer Forst. Together with an entomologist and a biology teacher, the pupils set off to discover and photograph insects on their own. They not only learnt about biodiversity, but also about the masterful camouflage and hiding strategies of the small animals living in the forest. Climate change and its effects on biodiversity - such as drought and changing habitats - were also discussed. The focus was primarily on butterflies and grasshoppers, with the heath fritillary playing a special role. Its example made clear how closely certain insect species are tied to specific plants and what dramatic consequences the extinction of a species can have for the entire ecosystem.

At the end of the project week, it was time to get creative: The pupils worked in teams to develop their own comics and animated films in which they creatively implemented the content they had learnt. Find and download the results here. Have fun reading and watching!