Xerophytes

Photo by Cedric Letsch on Unsplash

Xerophytes are plants that are adapted to survive in dry or arid conditions, where water availability is limited. These plants have evolved various strategies to conserve water and thrive in such environments, such as cacti, Joshua Trees (love!) agave or succulents. I talked about them and their abilities in my post about the botanical garden.

None of these beautiful and fascinating plants are native to where I live. I just had to get the letter X over with ;-) 

This post does talk about plants though. And animals. Here goes:

You may remember my asking for your advice on how to articulate my article on the nature project about two weeks ago. You all encouraged me to speak from my heart.

I slept on it and decided to tackle the subject from an entirely different angle. I turned it into the following story. 

Photo Credit: Selin Şahin on Unsplash

And in case you're wondering what happened to the lizard that originally was in the title? I first used two lizards as main characters, and it was really cute, but the nature people to whom I sent the draft said "please don't promote the lizards, they will literally driven flat on this road, can you make it about bees?" I tried my best. Here goes. 

Ivy rubs her eyes in amazement. She is sitting on a sunny stone on the Chrüzweg and sees her old friend Flitz humming past.  

"Hey, I haven't seen you for ages, you look different, where have you been all this time?" she calls out to him.

Flitz flies another meter, then brakes sharply and turns around. 

"Is that you Ivy? Yes, a few days ago a bird almost got me, I'm a bit disheveled. My ancestors actually moved away from here a few years ago. You know, when they started building here, it just got too dangerous and our great-grandmothers couldn't find any more food or nesting places."

Ivy shakes her head. 

"I've only just moved back here because I read in the Usrüefer that there's a new nature and landscape conservation commission in Staufen. They are really great, committed people who are working to create biodiversity paradises for us!"

Flitz asks what exactly is meant by this?

"Well, you see, a few weeks ago our building authority manager Renato and Kurt from "Naturnahe Gärten" landscaping company started working here. These sand piles are cool, we can build our nests in them. The lizards are happy about the piles of stones and branches because they can hide from owls and cats. We can drink in the water bowls and the humans have even thought of exit aids. You know, there are always butterflies that fall, and if there were no stones for them to climb on, they would drown. For us, the stones are pleasant landing places. They've also provided plenty of plants, they've planted over 60 different native species, it's a feast".

Photo Credit: Caio on Pexels

"That's right, it even has red carnations with it, I particularly like their nectar. Ivy, why are the firemen blocking off the road? What's happening here now?

"Today is the inauguration ceremony for this ecologically enhanced strip of land."

"I can only marvel at the foreign words you know: biodiversity, ecological enhancement...? And how do you know about this celebration?" Flitz is impressed. His favorite subject at the wild bee school was speeding. 

 

Ivy has always generously let the boys in her class copy and explains to him that biodiversity means the variety of life on earth, including all plants, animals and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems we live in. It's about how many different species there are and how they interact with each other.

 

"OK, and why is that so important?"

"Because it forms the foundation of our life on earth and provides us with many benefits and resources, such as purifying water, pollinating plants or regulating pest populations. 

The more species there are in an ecosystem, the more stable and resilient it is to disturbances such as disease or environmental change. Many people appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature. Do you know the woman who walks barefoot through the village? Since she has been doing this, she is much more mindful and grateful for what happens in nature. She's going to give a speech today. Maybe we can hide in the background and listen."

 

Ivy and Flitz, you guessed it, are two local wild bees. In fact, on Saturday afternoon, April 13, 2024, they are curiously watching the hustle and bustle on Chrüzweg. 

A tent is set up with food for people's minds, hearts and stomachs:

Information brochures on precisely these topics, including a list on which human inhabitants could sign up if they were interested in advice on how to make their garden - or balcony, because something great can be created even in the smallest of spaces - more nature-friendly. 

 

Models of small animals point out who is getting a new habitat here: Hedgehogs, weasels, slow worms and, above all, lots of insects.

 

Of course, the physical well-being of the many visitors is also taken into consideration. But more on that later.

"You see, now Katja, the mayor of the municipality, welcomes the guests and explains who all contributed to making this happen.

Competent people from the canton are needed for coordination, such as Selina, project manager for landscape and water, and Marc, who was able to contribute in particular to the topic of wild bees. Now the project manager of "Nature meets City" at Naturama, Jacqueline, is speaking. She says that Staufen is already the 30th municipality in Aargau to implement such a project. How many villages are there actually in the canton?"

Flitz has no armpits that he could shrug, but he makes a definite bee gesture that he has no idea.

 

"Ivy, listen, now she's talking about our colleague! She says the blue-black wood bee has become Miss Wild Bee!"

Yes, that's right, she was named Wild Bee of the Year 2024. Because of its size, it is often mistaken for a bumblebee. The wood bee buzzes loudly, but is harmless. She has pimped up her iridescent blue wings and shiny metallic black shell for the pageant."

 

"This young woman who is now doing the bee quiz with people is called Alice. I sometimes see her jogging around the Staufberg. She's almost as fast as me!"

"Flitz, you show-off! Just because you fly at 30 km/h (=18.5 miles per hour) doesn't mean you have to think you're something special. Do you know the insect she's introducing now? It's a wasp wannabe! Hahaha, I've never heard that either. It's a "hoverfly" that's dressed in yellow and black so that the others leave it alone because they're afraid of being stung. But it can't sting at all."

 

Ivy and Flitz are rolling with laughter.

 

"Now Nina introduces the team of natural gardeners. They have two green thumbs and like to go to people's homes to advise them on simple ways to make their gardens more nature-friendly. We should keep an eye on them. Wherever they get active, there may soon be sunbathing stations and pollen buffets for us."

This actually brings us to the F&B. The thermometer has climbed to 25° C (=77° F) , and the people of Staufen are grateful for a glass of water or even a cool rosé from the Staufberger Regent, a new product from our winegrowers' cooperative.  

 

Would you also like free advice on how you can create a biodiversity paradise? If you were unable to register in person on site, you are welcome to do so via this link:

https://www.naturfindetstadt.ch/node/97 or contact the municipal office.

 

This article will be in the issue that's being distributed June 1st, so it'll be a while. The people who have read it "ex officio" so far have been enthusiastic, which makes me hopeful that I have managed to navigate this tricky situation. 

Now on to you - Is this better than a slightly snarky rant?