Presentations
PowerPoint Presentations on Natural History of the Alps
by Michael Schneider
Geology of the Alps
A journey to our Earth’s past illustrates, how the Alps emerged from a Tropical sea about 70 million years ago. The Alps are a complex structure of stone and sediments from different geologic zones and epochs. After a short introduction you will be able to tell why some of our mountains look more like “smooth hills” and other appear rugged or why some plants can’t be found on certain mountains.
Flora and Fauna of the Allgaeu Alps
The most common plant societies of the Allgaeu Alps are presented and illustrated with their typical plant species. The breath-taking diversity of wild flowers with protected species such as Gentians and orchids, poisonous plants like Deadly Nightshade, Foxglove or Wolfbane as well as medicinal plants like Arnica and Common Horsetail. However, we begin with a journey to our Earth’s past to show the drastic changes of flora and fauna due to continental shift and ice ages. Moreover, we will hear many peculiar facts about local wildlife.
Native Poisonous Plants
From Alpine Columbine to Yellow Wolfsbane: more than 100 species of poisonous plants are native to the Allgaeu Alps. Some of them such as the Lily of the Valley, Foxglove, Deadly Nightshade or Meadow Saffron can be even lethal for humans. The presentation won’t give recipes on how to poison an unwanted person, but delivers interesting facts on toxin classes, their ecological functions, effects on our body and their potential as medicines.
Native Poisonous and Venomous Animals
Almost everyone has already experienced the painful sting of a wasp or a bee but fortunately bites inflicted by snakes and spiders are quite rare. There are many poisonous and venomous animal species, however, most of them are inconspicuous or unknown. The presentation gives interesting facts on toxin classes, their ecological functions, effects on our body and of course many illustrated examples of poisonous and venomous spiders, insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
Legislation related to Nature Conservation
What categories of conservation areas do exist in Germany? Which are the Federal and State Authorities related to Nature Conservation? Is it allowed to pick a bunch of Primroses? What kind of sanctions will one face for the violation of legislation related to habitat and species protection? Based on international conventions such as the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species, directives of the European Union like the Flora-Fauna-Habitat-Directive as well as national laws such as the Federal Nature Conservation Act the above subjects are elucidated during the presentation.
Alien Species
Certainly there is nothing wrong with potato and tomato plants that were brought to Europe during Christopher Columbus' days. Most alien plant and animal species are harmless, only invasive species that spread in an uncontrolled manner such as the Giant Hogweed, Glandular Balsam, Japanese Knotweed, Eastern Grey Squirrel, Colorado Potato Beetle and Grape Phylloxera can cause unpredictable economic, ecological and health problems. Alien species are the third most important reason for the loss of biological diversity. Meanwhile there are thousands of alien animal and plant species established in Europe. The presentation tells the history of some harmless and invasive aliens, elucidates their origin, the reason for their introduction, the consequences of the invasion as well as control strategies.
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