Landscape plan adopted for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation: Telegrafenberg receives new landscape design

The Telegrafenberg, a central location for the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, is undergoing a transformation. The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences has commissioned the consulting firm Drees & Sommer to develop a comprehensive landscape concept for the 27-hectare site, aiming to make it more ecologically resilient while preserving its rich biodiversity and research traditions.

The Telegrafenberg, which covers over a century of research, boasts diverse vegetation of high ecological value. This includes pine forests, sandy poor grasslands, and extensive bluebell populations. It is also home to numerous rare animal and plant species, such as the European peacock butterfly, the field beetle, the protected sand lizard, and species on the red list.

The landscape concept, scheduled to be completed by April 2026, aims to maintain the green infrastructure, secure biodiversity, and stabilize the water balance on the Telegrafenberg. To achieve this, the plans focus on protecting biodiversity, ensuring the continued use of the campus, and making the research site more resilient to climate change.

One of the key challenges is the increasing risk of wildfires, particularly during droughts. The landscape concept, therefore, aims to reduce this risk by implementing measures such as a detailed inventory, geobotanical surveys, analysis of soil abilities, and the development of a rainwater concept. Digital analysis tools like Scalgo will be utilised to aid in these efforts.

The rainwater concept will be further developed to enable better collection, use, and infiltration of water in the future. This is crucial, given that many of the trees on the Telegrafenberg, some over a hundred years old, show clear signs of stress due to heat and drought. In fact, around 78% of the trees have been damaged by these conditions.

The global temperature exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level in the year 2024, a significant milestone that underscores the urgency of these efforts. The Telegrafenberg, like many locations worldwide, is significantly affected by climate change.

The plans also include analysing the soils' ability to store water and nutrients. This is crucial for improving air quality and supporting the drinking water supply in Potsdam. The Telegrafenberg plays a vital role in both aspects, acting as a natural buffer and contributing to the city's water cycle.

The ultimate goal is to preserve the Telegrafenberg as a traditional research and nature site for future generations. By adapting to the challenges posed by climate change, the Telegrafenberg will continue to serve as a beacon of scientific discovery and natural beauty, fostering innovation and inspiring awe for generations to come.

Landscape plan adopted for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation: Telegrafenberg receives new landscape design