Going About my Daily Business and Protect Nature on the Side... is it possible?
Nature conservation, species protection, climate proyection... those are the issues of organizations, politics, and activists — whatever could I do, right? This doubt is probably bugging many people who care about our contemporary challenges. What you can do for nature as a single person isn't very transparent in our society either, unfortunately. And who or what is "nature"... exactly?
When actually many small everyday steps are not only necessary but possible to increase a protection of ecosystems. Self-contained ecosystems exist even in places like subway shafts.
On this page we're showing you some areas and practices in which to try out everyday species protection of your natural environment. Doesn't matter if you live in the city, in a huge apartment block or never even thought about nature. It's enough to be curious of how you can change the world below your feet little by little for the better ☺
💡Light Consumption and Light Pollution
The founders of the initiative Kein Licht im Garten ["no lights in the garden"] define light polution as,
"process of enlightening the night and the night sky with artificial electric light.
Since it was created about 150 years ago us humans enlighten the darkness more and more.
It is proven to be a form of environmental pollution and assessed to be negative,
therefore such artificial light is also referred to as light waste or light smog." 1
Said artificial light is particularly harmful for the circadian rhythm of nearby plants and animals. They are strongly irritating migratory birds and diurnal garden animals, are even deadly for water organisms, winged insects, and photophobic spiders.2 Winged insects are drawn in to the light and keep surrounding it until they die of exhaustion. Spiders who avoid the light can't find enough insects in the dark. In turn, a disturbed balance of our surrounding ecosystem has an impact on our own health, climate, and food, since insects stay away from flowers and cannot pollinate.3
Maybe you've seen glaring light ball or some atmospheric light poles in some gardens? Or been blinded by your neighbor's light installation yourself? Even your cozy fairy lights count as light pollution if they're left on at night. Good news though: You don't have to waive garden lights completely and can still do something good for many little beings by simply turning off the lamps once you conclude your evening in the garden. And maybe you'll discover some stars on your way inside. ✨
🕸️Support "Useful" Insects and Spiders
You don't need to like every animal nor invite them in. Yet once they're in your home it's good to know what they actually do there. Since humans categorize other animals into "beneficial animals" and "pests", we're presenting you some tiny neighbors whose assistance in your household might yet be hidden to you.
🐜 Ants: You might worry at seeing an ant trail in your home and a lot of ants going back and forth but they usually disappear once there's nothing to pick up anymore. When one of them finds something to eat in your place and tells the others, they come and clean the spot. Isn't it great that they fit under the cupboard and into small cracks where you don't and tidy up?
🐝 Wasps: Many people are annoyed or even afraid at the sight of a wasp racing around them or sitting on their sandwich. And certainly you should pay attention not to accidentally eat one or sit on one, especially if you're allergic to their poison. Generally, wasps also tidy up for you because they eat leftovers, crumbs, and especially carrion like dead flies and spiders.
🐟 Silverfish: Ok, we know they're not the most attractive house guests and lots of them can actually damage books, furniture, and food; but let us cook. Silverfish eat a lot of microscopic small things that you can't see, for example dust mites, skin skales, and mould. And here it gets interesting! Should you find or more silverfish they sure are unwanted company — but they are also a sign for a mold area in your home4. So, why not think of them as heroes of our households 😃 And if you wish to get rid of them, just take care of your mouldy spot and you'll have solved two things at once.
🕷️Spiders: A hot topic! In our regions you'll find mostly barn funnel weavers (Tegenaria domestica), the hairy big ones, and pholcid spiders, the ones with a net spun around your lamps. While barn funnel weavers hunt for food, pholcid spiders catch and spin the flies, gnats, mosquitoes, bugs, and other spiders with their sticky strings. Spiders are generally friendly housemates who fit perfectly to your lifestyle if you like to keep your windows open during summer, inviting new insects to enter. The recently established Nosferatu spiders (Zoropsis spinimana) are the only spiders that can actually bite a human. Their gift, however, is dosed for insects and even though it might be painful it's harmless.5
Spiders are essential for ecosystems also outside your home. So, if you prefer appreciating them outdoors make sure you carefully trap them in a glass, seal it with a book, and rewild them in a safe space.
... site in progress, stay tuned for more critters 🦎
