BiodiWert

Urban lifestyles and the valorization of biodiversity: dragonflies, grasshoppers, bumblebees and co.

New concepts and perspectives are needed to protect biodiversity. Since the massive decline in the biomass of insects in protected areas in Germany became known, the current understanding of conservation measures and protected regions needs to be rethought. In the SLInBio project, several collaboration partners are working together to make a contribution to improving insect diversity in Frankfurt through valorization.

Cities can be suitable habitats for biodiversity and, under certain circumstances, also provide refuge. Different usage practices (such as gardening, recreation, mobility) and associated lifestyles have different (positive and negative) effects on biodiversity. In addition, cities can address not only urban society with their range of information and educational opportunities, but also have an impact on the surrounding area.

The aim of the project is to contribute to the improvement of insect diversity in Frankfurt. The starting point here is the so-called valorization: In an extended value concept, valorization is understood not in the sense of a purely economic value, but rather of social norms including intrinsic and relational values. By linking the three value dimensions with practical theories of social science environmental research, SLInBio is developing a new approach to the valorization of biodiversity. This makes it possible to make statements about how the significance of biodiversity can be more firmly anchored in the everyday perception of city dwellers and in their everyday actions.

As part of the research project, new environmental education formats and artistic interventions will be offered and insect diversity in urban green spaces will be researched. The focus here is on the influence of pesticides on insect diversity in the urban test areas, lifestyle issues and the attitudes of the population towards insects. Forms of discourse and participation for the urban population are essential components of the project, as is the involvement of the citizen science community in Frankfurt.

Collaboration partners:

Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
NABU Frankfurt am Main
Senckenberg Research Institute and Nature Museum Frankfurt

Practice partner

BioFrankfurt – The Network for Biodiversity e.V.
Palmengarten of the city of Frankfurt am Main
Parks Department of the city of Frankfurt am Main
Environmental Agency of the city of Frankfurt am Main

Publications

Stein, M., Sattlegger, L., & Freudenberg, J. (2023). Insektenfreundliches Gärtnern bei verschiedenen Typen von Gärtner*innen. Eine sozialwissenschaftliche und linguistische Analyse. ISOE-Materialien Soziale Ökologie, 73. (with BioDivKultur)

Das Projekt im Interview (content in German)

Projekt SLInBio im Interview – Städtische Lebensstile erforschen, um Insektenvielfalt zu stärken

Marion Mehring vom ISOE – Institut für sozial-ökologische Forschung erforscht mit ihrem Team und zahlreichen Praxispartnern in Frankfurt im Projekt SLInBio, wie sich Menschen für Insektenschutz gewinnen lassen. Das ist bei diesen oft auch als lästig, eklig oder gar gefährlich empfundenen Tierarten und im städtischen Umfeld eine besondere Herausforderung, der das Team einfallsreich begegnet. Ziel ist nicht nur das Wissen zu erweitern, sondern Erfolgsfaktoren zu identifizieren, die Menschen zum Handeln bewegen. In diesem Sinn will SLInBio Erkenntnisse weit über Frankfurt und den Insektenschutz hinaus liefern.

Zum Interview auf der FONA-Seite.