Campus Biodiversity

On our meadow areas on the Zittau campus around building Z IV, the flowers are left until they have faded and are only mowed once or twice a year.

In this way, we want to help preserve the biodiversity of flowering plants and grasses and provide a habitat for the many different butterflies, bees and other insects as well as birds. The animals need flowers and grasses as breeding, protective and food plants for the adults as well as for the larvae and pupae. The colorful diversity of flora and fauna is very welcome here.

We also have a large number of unsealed areas, hedges and trees on campus, thereby setting an example for biodiversity, for water absorption into the soil and for CO2 filtering from the air. And what could be more fitting than our herb spiral and an insect hotel, which were created and are being maintained thanks to the initiative of our students.

We would also like to make a contribution to climate protection and the preservation of biodiversity on the densely built-up Görlitz campus by greening the roof of our Mena and library building:

Water retention: A green roof relieves the burden on urban drainage and sewage treatment plants, as around half of the annual precipitation remains on the roof surface and can evaporate again.

Habitat: Plants on roofs also provide breeding, protection and feeding areas for many species of insects and birds.

Urban climate protection: Green roofs contribute to the filtration of dust and pollutants from the air and counteract the heating of the city due to the large amount of sealed surfaces.

Natural air conditioning: The evaporation of stored rainwater from the roof can cool the rooms directly below in summer. This eliminates the need for air conditioning or minimizes its use and electricity consumption. In winter, the green roof acts as natural insulation. The rooms cool down less and can be heated more efficiently.

Protection of the building fabric: The green roof also offers mechanical protection from wind and weather as well as protection from sunlight. The service life of the roof can be increased and maintenance costs can be reduced.