Working
group for species Conservation Thuringia (AAT)
The AAT has been founded in April 1991 with the aim to
do nature conservation work on a sound scientific basis,
especially to protect animal and plant species and their
habitats.
Besides of the survey and documentation of species
distributions, mainly of endangered indigenous species,
concepts and programs of species conservation or
suggestions to identify or develop protection areas are
developed.
Today more than 100 members from different occupations
work in the AAT and voluntarily observe, survey and
document species distributions as well as evaluate
landscapes. The results are presented in public, in
publications or on specific meetings.
Forest wardens, farmers, biologists, physicians,
veterinarians, engineers, teachers, pedagogues from
museums, and others use their spare time to work on the
communal task of species protection and pass on their
knowledge to others interested in nature. Many of our
members are also members in other nature conservation
organisations.
In projects as well as in environmental education the
AAT strives for a good cooperation with the authorized
governmental agencies (e. g. regional authorities and
offices of the environment). A special concern is the
conveyance of information and arguments as well as
constructive discussions with communal interest groups
confronted with the aims and legal normative of nature
conservation.
The International meeting on nature conservation:
“Zoological and botanical species conservation in
Central Europe” in Bad Blankenburg (Thuringia) has
become an effective institution. Annually it offers
interested people of voluntary organizations and
governmental agencies of nature conservation as well as
representatives of universities, colleges and other
scientific institutions, the opportunity to present new
results concerning species and nature conservation in
Central Europe and to exchange ideas. The contributions
do not only include subjects of biology and nature
conservation but also aspects of climate and behaviour,
philosophy and scientific methods of gathering,
analysing and interpreting data.
One aim of the AAT is the promotion of people involved
and to appreciate voluntary work. The AAT therefore
annually honours meritorious accomplices at the meeting
in Bad Blankenburg.
Environmental education is a major focus of the
activities of the AAT. Being an educational
establishment each year lectures, seminars, etc. are
offered and most of them realised in the Centre for
Species Protection Thuringia (“Artenschutz-Zentrum
Thüringen “ AZT) in Ranis.
On the basis of its activities and the professional
profile the AAT has been confirmed as accredited nature
conservation association on September 3rd
2003.
By-Laws (extract)
The AAT is listed in the register of associations in
Jena # VR 228/1 8.4.1991
Name and
registered office
The working group takes the name “Arbeitsgruppe
Artenschutz Thüringen” e.V. (AAT) (Working Group of
Species Protection Thuringia) and is located in Jena. It
has legal capacity because it is listed in the register
of associations.
Aim
The aim of the AAT is the research of specially
protected animals and plant species and such in need of
protection in Thuringia, their survey, monitoring,
documentation as well as development of species
protection plans and conservation strategies on
scientific basis also in collaboration with other
organizations and agencies with similar aims in and
outside of Thuringia.
In no profit way the AAT also protects the habitats of
protected animals and plants of the basis of its own
research and monitoring results in close cooperation
with the authorized state departments in Thuringia.
The AAT supports the interests of species and habitat
protection in public and advertises the system of nature
reserves.
Project: Atlas
of the mammals of Thuringia
The animal group of mammals in Thuringia is neither
very species rich nor characterized by high numbers of
individuals compared to other groups of animals. Just as
little are mammals omnipresent in our cultivated
landscape like birds. Nevertheless, mammals had a
special importance for humans in all times. One reason
might be that we belong to this group of vertebrates and
another might be the importance of mammals as food for
humans.
In recent times the biology and the ecological
importance of mammals has been focused on. Knowledge of
the distribution and frequency of wild living mammals is
an essential supposition to understand the ecological
interrelations of wild animals in the cultivated
landscape. Selective measures of mammal protection can,
therefore, be only as good as our knowledge of the ways
of living of these animals.
In cooperation with the "Landesjagdverband Thuringia" (county wide association of hunters in Thuringia) the AAT compiled an atlas of the distribution of mammals occurring in Thuringia. In this book the current distribution of all mammals of Thuringia - except bats - is illustrated. The text gives a detailed description of the distribution range and the habitats used by the species. The atlas covers the biological basics of the species occurring in Thuringia and also illustrates the development of population size and changes in distribution of single species. Special focus is given to species which have been directly or indirectly introduced to Thuringia by humans.
The atlas of mammals in Thuringia is made for experts
as well as for the general public. On the one hand the
atlas shall be a contribution to the situation of the
mammal fauna in Thuringia and on the other hand it shall
make the often hidden world of mammals from shrew to roe
deer better accessible to the interested reader.
The atlas of thuringian mammals is available since 2009.
Founding of
the working group “Fish protection and water ecology”
On several requests this working group has been founded
on 19. April 2005 under the direction of the AAT. This
working group consists of 14 representatives from
different disciplines. Next to well-established fish
specialists people from different administrative bodies
and associations of Thuringia work together to solve
problems of fish conservation.
Additionally, the numbers of cormorants, which are
recorded by ornithologists are evaluated. In this way
the conflicts between “fishing” and “nature
conservation” shall be reduced. The consideration of
the complex entirety of limnic ecosystems shall be
focused on.
This also touches on the flow regime of bodies of
flowing water, their structures, management plans and
concerns of species protection. In this context it is
important to consider regions and species listed in the
European Habitats Directive and Water Framework
Directive.
On the basis of scientific analyses of the waters, all
data shall be combined to be able to develop long term
monitoring programs of research on selected bodies of
flowing and standing waters in Thuringia.
The study group works exclusively on scientific basis
and compiles recommendations for the decisions of
administrative agencies.
Scientific
management of bodies of standing water
The protected aerial natural monuments “Hautsee”
near Dönges (Wartburgkreis) and the “Todtenlache”
(Landkreis Hildburghausen) are leased by the AAT and are
managed by AAT members. Scientific research on these
ecosystems is in progress.
If you are interested in results or participating
please contact the AAT.
Available
Services from the AAT
Based on the specialties of the members of the AAT we
are able to compile reviews, comments and
recommendations for different kinds of customers.
Expert opinions, studies and statements
- Expert opinions on the relevance of protection,
regional faunas, forests, fishery
- Management plans for reforestation and for forest
restructuring
- Management plans to care for and to develop
landscapes
- Landscape plans
- Landscape ecological evaluation of projects
- Habitat mapping
- Landscape conservation accompanying plans
- Survey of distribution and frequency of different
groups of species
- Monitoring programs
- Analyses of endangerment
- evaluation of the use of landscapes
- assessment of environmental effects
- Evaluations on nature conservation measures
- control of success
- control of efficiency of habitat developments
- Landscape development plans or species management
plans
- statements in commissions
- development and composition of all kinds of
information materials
Membership
The diversity of our indigenous animals and plants,
which developed over millions of years, is endangered
today in a way not known at another point of time in
human history.
Contrary to all exertions of full time and voluntary
nature and species conservationists the Red Lists of
endangered animal and plant species have to be prolonged
each year. The reasons for this are diverse and include
aspects of the rigorous commercialization of landscapes
often in the believe biological diversity has to be
sacrificed to increase the quality of life for humans.
However, the opposite is true: Loss of biodiversity also
means loss of quality of life.
Species conservation does not have a strong pressure
group. Support the work in species and habitat
protection of the AAT with your donation.
Receipts for donations are available.
Or become a member or promoter of the AAT. Please
contact our office: Thymianweg 25, 07745 Jena, Tel
03641-617454 Fax: 03641-605625. email: ag-artenschutz@freenet.de
Bankaccount
for dontations: Arbeitsgruppe Artenschutz Thüringen
e.V.
account : 53120
BLZ : 83053030
Sparkasse Jena
Activities and
events
Several lectures, seminars, further training courses,
field trips and symposia are organized by the AAT and
most of them are offered at the AZT
("Artenschutz-Zentrum Thüringen" – Centre for
protected species) in Ranis. The AAT aims to convey
knowledge on species, habitats and complex ecological
interrelations to every group interested. Please check
out the annual programs or ask for speakers or
instructors for your own activity or event.
Exhibition at
the Centre of Species Protection ("AZT") in
Ranis
Exhibits are an important way to convey knowledge about
the regional fauna and flora.
The exhibition at the AZT includes:
-
displays of indigenous plants and animals,
including some life ones, especially fish
-
in two large and several smaller aquariums the
fish of the different regions of rivers and of
standing bodies of water can be observed. On display
are most of the about 40 species of freshwater fish
occurring in Central Europe.
-
special dioramas and show cases on the animals and
plants of Thuringia in different habitats
-
several dioramas illustrate riverine landscapes
-
information and specimens illustrating aspects of
species conservation
-
guided tours
-
a splendid view from overlooking the "Orla”
valley and the typical landscape
-
from autumn 2008 there are European Bisons in
an enclosure about 800 m from the AZT in Ranis
Literature,
Publications
Several information brochures, books, journals, posters
and souvenirs are for sale at the AZT.
We consider the book "Thüringer Tierwelt"
(on the animals of Thuriniga – in German) of special
interest, as it explains facts on habitats, occurrences,
ways of living, endangerment and protection of animals
in Thuringia on the basis of the current scientific
knowledge.
Price:
10 EUR plus mailing expenses
Booklet:
"Persönlichkeiten
der Naturforschung und des Naturschutzes in Thüringen "
(in German – on the people who contributed
considerably to research on nature and nature
conservation in Thuringia)
Price: 3 EUR plus mailing expenses
Journals/Periodicals
"Artenschutzreport"
(since 1991, 1-2 issues per year)
Original research articles and short communications on
research and problems in zoological and botanic species
conservation in Central Europe. Articles in German or
English.
Price: 15 EUR plus mailing expenses; issue 1-20: 5 EUR
each; issues 14, 17, 19, 21, 26 not available any more
"Säugetierkundliche
Informationen" (since 1977; 2 issues per
year since 2004)
Original research articles and short communications
mainly on European mammals, and faunistic studies
concerning mammals. Articles mainly in German but some
in English.
Price: 11 EUR plus mailing expenses; issue 1-9 not
available any more; issue 10-24: 5 EUR each
"Acta
ornithoecologica" (since 1985; 1 issue
per year)
Original research articles and short communications in
ornithology with a clear aspect of ecology. Articles in
German or English.
Price: 12 EUR plus mailing expenses; all issues still
available, issue 1-4: 5 EUR each
Some issues from the Series "Natur- und
Kulturlandschaft"
Research articles and short communications on landscape
ecology, habitat protection and ecological aspects of
species conservation in a comprehensive view. Articles in German or
English.
1997 Vom Waldinnensaum zur Hecke – Natur-
und Kulturlandschaft 2
Price:
7 EUR plus mailing expenses
1999
Europäische
Landschaftsentwicklung mit großen Weidetieren.
Geschichte, Modelle und Perspektiven. – Natur-
und Kulturlandschaft 3
Price:
7 EUR plus mailing expenses
2001
Neue Modelle zu Maßnahmen
der Landschaftsentwicklung mit großen Pflanzenfressern.
Praktische Erfahrungen bei der Umsetzung. – Natur-
und Kulturlandschaft 4
Price:
7 EUR plus mailing expenses
2002 Planung contra Evolution? Über Evolution und
Landschaftsentwicklung in Mitteleuropa. – Natur- und
Kulturlandschaft 5
Price: 7 EUR plus mailing expenses
Orders to the editorial office
of each Journal:
---------------------------------------------------------
Thymianweg 25, 07745 Jena, Germany
E-Mail: ag-artenschutz@freenet.de
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