Nature tips Vorarlberg
Meadow habitat
Vorarlberg is defined by a diverse landscape featuring numerous meadows that serve essential ecological functions and provide recreational spaces for people.
The abundance of meadows and pastures in the region is largely the result of human activity. Without this influence, forests would dominate much of the area, with meadows occurring only above the tree line or in places where forests cannot grow, such as moors or dynamic floodplains. The history of settlement is closely linked to the development of grasslands. Meadows have been cultivated for centuries, primarily to store hay for livestock during the winter, leading to the creation of the first hay meadows. Evidence of this development dates back to the early Middle Ages.
However, it is not just human activity that has shaped the landscape. The last ice ages also played a crucial role. Glacial deposits and moraine remnants now form the soil in the region’s slopes and valleys, significantly influencing the present-day landscape. The slopes, in particular, are highly fertile, contributing to the rich diversity of species and meadows in Vorarlberg.
These varied meadows serve as habitats not only for plants but also for numerous animal species. Depending on how they are managed and the specific site conditions, different plant communities thrive in these meadows, providing essential conditions for life for various animals, especially insects. Pollinators such as honey bees, solitary bees, bumblebees, and butterflies rely on herbs and flowers as vital food sources.
Thus, biodiversity thrives in vibrant meadows!
In areas where little to no fertiliser is used, meaning nutrients are limited, flowering plants can flourish as they face less competition from grasses. Meadows managed extensively are typically mown only once a year, and only after the plants have flowered. This allows the plants sufficient time to produce seeds for reproduction. Such meadows boast an exceptional diversity of flowers and insects. Found at higher altitudes in Vorarlberg, these mountain meadows are among the most species-rich ecosystems in the world, surpassing even comparable areas of tropical rainforest in species count. This richness isn’t limited to plants; the more flowers there are, the more meadow inhabitants thrive.
