What it means for nature and people – SWR Aktuell

Even the unusually mild October with temperatures of up to 26 degrees on the weekend in Baden-Württemberg affects nature. According to ARD meteorologist Karsten Schwanke, at the end of October the temperature is about eight to nine degrees higher than normal. The permanent consequences could be severe for some animal species. But people in the country should also feel the effects.

Will ticks be active all year in the future?

Mild temperatures could mean that ticks are active all year round. According to Claudia Wild of NABU Baden-Württemberg, they need an air temperature of between seven and ten degrees to activate. Mild winters could therefore ensure that the pest becomes a year-round problem. Finally, ticks transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and TBE. In any case, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Baden-Württemberg is already a high-risk area for TBE.

Probable consequences for agriculture

Warmer winters could also have a significant impact on agriculture. After all, fruit trees sprout earlier when temperatures are mild. If there is another unexpected late frost, the buds, flowers and buds freeze. This not only weakens the plants, but can also lead to crop failures and perspective changes in vegetation. This could painfully affect fruit growers in particular, but also wine growers.

This SWR article from April 2022 shows the seemingly unusual methods some fruit growers are already using to counter the problem:

Additionally, late frosts can also become a problem for hedgehogs if they have already woken up from hibernation. When there is frost, they have to get used to it again, which is problematic for old and weakened animals, according to NABU.

Turkeys in the natural park already in the mood for courtship

The extreme consequences that mild temperatures can have for other animals can be seen in the Schwarzach nature park (Neckar-Odenwald district). According to animal keeper Pascal Herzog, one species of turkey is already in the mood for courtship. It really shouldn’t be out until February. If it breeds before winter, that could deprive the animals of a lot of energy for the winter, as it would put all of its energy into the brood, Herzog says.

Constantly mild temperatures could be particularly precarious for wild birds. The life of migratory birds in particular would change. Some migratory birds would no longer migrate south because it would be warm enough in Germany and could feed on acorns, buds and chestnuts, Herzog says. Other wintering bird species could also benefit from this as they may start breeding earlier and secure the best nesting sites.

Disadvantages for active migratory birds

However, the negative consequences would then be felt by the still active migratory birds. Weakened by the tiring journey, they should first look for suitable and, above all, free nesting sites.

Ahead of the season, the arrival of migratory birds may be too late, NABU’s Claudia Wild said, citing the cuckoo as an example. The breeding season and the temporal shift in food supply may also change due to mild temperatures.

Baden-Wuerttemberg

The cuckoo is considered extinct in the Upper Rhine plain. Forests die (?), Small rivers sometimes dry up: a scenario in the spotlight.
Moreover…

More problems for bees and bumblebees

Wild can well imagine that more and more heat-loving species from the Mediterranean region are spreading into Baden-Württemberg. Since this also includes the bee-eater, This in turn could have a negative effect on bees, wasps and bumblebees. Bees could also suffer from the longer vegetative period if, for example, the plants are already blooming while the bees are not yet active and cannot find food afterwards. Incidentally, this may also affect some people. Finally, the pollen season for allergy sufferers is likely to change due to longer growing seasons.

Scientists have discovered a new genetic variant of the deformed wing virus. The infested brood hatches with stunted wings, so they are not viable.
Moreover…

This particularly applies to wild bees, confirms Mannheim’s Commissioner for Wild Bees, Thomas Kilian. Because these specialize in single plants which, according to his perception, have already bloomed very early and for a short time this year. Wild bees would likely not go extinct, but would only disappear locally and then go to higher altitudes. Humid and moderately cold winters are particularly dangerous for insects. Because that way they would not freeze, they would simply become moldy without being able to react, says Kilian.

The composition of the species can change

Cold-loving animal species, such as the yellow hammer or Nordic goose, on the other hand, may retreat north or to higher altitudes, according to Wild. However, as the possibilities for shrinkage here are limited, warmer temperatures could cause a change in species composition. According to Wild, some protected areas may become useless to some species because they would no longer be found there.

According to animal keeper Herzog, predators from Baden-Württemberg, such as fox or stone marten, could also benefit from the milder climate. After all, they hunt birds and would therefore have a greater supply of food in the winter. Nest predators, such as the squirrel, could also benefit from early bird nesting. However, an overpopulation of predators could also upset the balance and lead to an increase in disease.