Species protection

The conservation of biodiversity is increasingly becoming a global task. Animals and plants, or parts of them, are traded worldwide. For some species, this has led to worrying population declines.

Since 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has regulated trade in protected animal and plant species at international level. The Convention was transposedinto national law in the European Union by the EU Species Protection Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 and by the Federal Species Protection Ordinance(BArtSchV).

Trade, keeping and breeding of protected species must be reported to the lower nature conservation authority. To do this, please use the animal population notification form, which you can find under Species protection - notification of protected species in the city's service portal.

From a regional and local perspective, the protection of native animals and plants and their habitats is also of great importance. Despite significant improvements in recent years, some species are still endangered.

The landscape in Jena is made up of a variety of different habitats. The responsibility for protecting the plant and animal species that live there, some of which are very rare, is correspondingly high. Some protected species share their habitat with humans. They breed or hibernate in buildings or use our gardens and parks as breeding and feeding grounds, which sometimes leads to conflicts.

Wild animals of protected species may not be caught, injured or killed. Damage to their breeding or resting places is prohibited. The lower nature conservation authority must be notified in advance of any demolition or renovation work that may affect protected species.

Tree felling and pruning work on trees and shrubs is only permitted from the beginning of October to the end of February for reasons of species protection and generally requires approval from the lower nature conservation authority.

Further information on this can be found in the city's service portal:

• Species protection - Demolition and renovation of buildings
• Tree felling - approval

and under Downloads.

Well-greened cities already act as oases of insect diversity in many places in the midst of an increasingly "cleared" cultural landscape. It can be colorful and even seemingly "messy" meadows and copses are allowed.

The city of Jena would like to make a contribution to increasing the proportion of insects in the urban area and has drawn up a guideline for this purpose. The central section consists of 11 measures that can be used to maintain or increase the diversity of plants and insects in the city. It also contains lots of interesting facts about insects and their important function in ecosystems.

The guideline offers the city's own municipal companies clear orientation for the care and management of urban meadows, hedges and bushes. It is also available to housing associations, interested companies and private individuals as a recommendation for action.

You can find the guide under Downloads.

When approving projects or planning, it must be checked whether there are any prohibitions under species protection law in accordance with Section 44 (1) BNatSchG and whether animals or plants from Annex IV of the Habitats Directive and European bird species are adversely affected by the project. A separate specialist report, a "special species protection assessment (saP)", is usually drawn up for this purpose.

As part of a preliminary assessment, it is first clarified which species relevant to the saP may be affected by the project. For these, an inventory is then required as well as an examination of the prohibitions.

The occurrence of a prohibition can be prevented, for example, through avoidance and minimization measures or so-called "early compensatory measures" (CEF measures). Otherwise, exceptions must be examined.

Anyone in Thuringia who actively promotes the preservation and creation of bat roosts in populated areas can receive the "Bat-friendly" badge. This is awarded by the lower nature conservation authority. Placed in a clearly visible position at the roost, it indicates the special commitment of the residents or the owner of the property.

The "Bat-friendly" badge can be awarded to

• Owners of buildings with bat populations who are committed to their continued existence,
• Building owners who preserve existing roosts or create new ones when renovating, refurbishing or constructing new buildings,
• Owners of underground properties, such as cellars, caves or tunnels, who bring these objects into a bat-friendly condition or maintain them in such a condition.

Anyone interested in finding out more about creating or maintaining bat roosts or taking part in the "Bat-friendly" campaign is welcome to contact the Lower Nature Conservation Authority.

Further information can be found here: FLEDERMAUS Foundation - FLEDERMAUSFREUNDLICH campaign.

The hornet (Vespa crabro) is the largest native wasp. The hornet's venom is no more dangerous than wasp or bee venom.

Hornets do not like certain disturbances, especially in the nest area. They will therefore defend their nest within a radius of about 4 meters. Violent movements, vibrations, lawn mowing or the use of similar equipment should be avoided. Hornets are also sensitive to changes in the flight path, changes to the entrance hole and honeycomb structure as well as to breathing.

In the event of unexpected encounters, it usually helps to keep calm and retreat carefully.

Hornets only live for one summer. In the fall, the entire colony dies off. The young queens survive, but no longer use the old nest the following year. They look for new quarters.

Hornets, like all native bumblebees, bees and some wasp species, are among the specially protected animal species. Accordingly, it is not permitted to pursue, capture, injure or kill these animals or to remove their developmental forms from the wild. Violations can be punished with a fine. Therefore, please do not under any circumstances carry out any measures on the nest yourself.

The lower nature conservation authority will be happy to advise you. In most cases, small protective and precautionary measures are sufficient to allow the animals to live on the property for one season. In exceptional cases, it is necessary to relocate nests and move them to another location. This requires permission from the lower nature conservation authority, which must be applied for in advance.

Some species unintentionally migrate into native habitats through global trade or travelers and endanger biodiversity there. Other species are spreading further and further as a result of climate change, conquering new territories and potentially putting native species under pressure.

EU Regulation No. 1143/2017 aims to prevent or minimize the negative impact of invasive species on the territory of the European Union. The central element of the regulation is a list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Union list). A total of 49 invasive animal and plant species are currently listed.

Further information can be obtained from the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN):

• Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) - Union list
• Federal Agency for Nature Conservation - BfN-Skript 471

It flowers yellow and many people mistake it for rapeseed. In May, it cannot be overlooked in meadows, along roads or paths.

The Oriental grouper (Bunias orientalis) is believed to have immigrated from the Caucasus region and is spreading almost unchecked in Central Europe, including the Middle Saale Valley. It displaces native plant species and provides hardly any habitat for animals.

The Lower Nature Conservation Authority, together with NABU, the Thuringia Species Conservation Working Group and the Phyletic Museum, has produced a leaflet that will help you to recognize the serrated pod and prevent its further spread. You can find the leaflet under Downloads.

For some years now, work has been carried out in Jena to combat grouper. Current information can be obtained from the Phyletic Museum - Work activities to control the grouper.