Landscape plan approved for Telegrafenberg: Aimed at promoting biodiversity and climate resilience.

The Telegrafenberg in Potsdam, a significant research location with a rich biodiversity and a 150-year-old tradition, is undergoing a comprehensive development project to make it more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

The year 2024 was recorded as the warmest year worldwide since the beginning of weather records, with the global temperature more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level. This increase in temperature has taken a toll on the Telegrafenberg, with around 78% of its trees showing signs of damage due to heat and drought.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, the German GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), both central institutions on the Telegrafenberg, have commissioned the consulting firm Drees & Sommer to develop a climate-resilient landscape concept for the area.

The goal of this concept is threefold: to maintain the green infrastructure, secure biodiversity, and stabilize the water balance on the Telegrafenberg. The diverse vegetation on the Telegrafenberg, featuring pine forests, sandy poor grasslands, and extensive May lily populations, is home to numerous rare animal and plant species, including the European peacock butterfly, the field beetle, the protected Klaiber lizard, and species on the red list. The Telegrafenberg is considered an important refuge for protected plant and animal species.

Measures outlined in the concept include detailed inventory, geobotanical investigations, analysis of soils, development of a rainwater concept, and use of digital analysis tools like Scalgo. The plan also aims to significantly reduce the risk of wildfires on the Telegrafenberg.

The development is scheduled to be completed by 2026, with a focus on connecting historical structures with modern climate adaptation requirements. The project is using open-source maps from CARTO CC BY 3.0 OpenStreetMap Sources to ensure transparency and accessibility.

The Telegrafenberg improves air quality and supports drinking water supply in Potsdam, making it not only an important research location but also a vital contributor to the local environment. The sustainable development of the Telegrafenberg will not only secure its research location for future generations but also support its role in combating climate change.

By maintaining its ecological resilience, the Telegrafenberg will continue to serve as a sanctuary for rare species and a model for sustainable development in the face of climate change. The project is a testament to the commitment of the GFZ, PIK, and Drees & Sommer to preserving and protecting this valuable resource for future generations.