Research on insect species at the former inner-German border

Experts on the hunt for insects

On the route from the Baltic Sea to the Saxon-Bavarian Vogtland region, the new project will primarily focus on flying insects such as rare fritillary and ducat butterflies as well as wild bees. To this end, teams of experts are collecting insect samples, which will then be genetically analyzed. The experts hope to gain an overview of species diversity and draw conclusions about the function of the Green Belt as an insect habitat.

"With this "longest" species survey covering almost 1.400 kilometers, we are also laying the scientifically sound basis for proving the extraordinary universal natural value of the Green Belt," said Hubert Weiger, honorary chairman of BUND, at the launch event in Birx in the Thuringian Rhön.

He also called for the Green Belt to be classified as a National Natural Monument throughout in order to protect it. This legal protection status currently applies to four-fifths of the Green Belt. Specifically, Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony are in demand, said Weiger.