Open spaces

New habitats for more biodiversity - Benjes hedge and sandarium completed in Witzenhausen

Two projects to promote biodiversity on the Witzenhausen campus were completed in 2024: A Benjes hedge and a sandarium with a specially designed area for reptiles. The Benjes hedge provides valuable protection and nesting space for numerous insects, birds and small mammals. The sandarium creates important structures for wild bees, heat-loving insects, lizards and other reptile habitats that are increasingly being lost in our cultivated landscape.

In Witzenhausen, a measure was implemented on the Nordbahnhofstraße campus to improve the living conditions for the existing large trees. The Nordbahnhofstraße campus is characterized by large lawns with old individual trees. Old, large trees are also suffering from the effects of climate change and heat stress. To preserve them, seven trees at the Nordbahnhofstraße site were renovated and optimized using a compressed air injection process. This involved using purified compressed air to loosen the soil to a depth of 120 cm and injecting soil additives as air capacity builders, long-term water reservoirs and ion exchangers in the same operation. This improves the soil structure, promotes root activity and strengthens the health of the trees.

Several measures to unseal, green and ecologically enhance the open spaces on the south campus at Holländischer Platz were started in February 2026. Work on the first package of measures was successfully completed at the end of April:

• Around the Engineering Sciences 1 building, previous lawn areas were converted into more species-rich meadow areas. A total of around 1,500 m² was sown with flower mixtures such as "Bee Meadow" and "Wild Herb Magic" to promote biodiversity and create new habitats for insects.
• In front of the Institute of Music, a former gravel area was unsealed and transformed into a flowering area. To this end, around 35 cm of gravel was removed and replaced with a suitable gravel substrate, into which a mixture of perennials was then sown.
• A previously unvegetated wall on the central canteen building was planted with climbing plants and ground cover plants. The bed was given a steel edging and will contribute to the design and ecological enhancement of the area in future.
• In the diagonal, several tree grates were enlarged and protected against traffic. The extended areas were sown with a mixture of perennials. In addition, a segment of a round bench was installed above a tree slice at the eastern end, creating a new seating area in the open space.
• A measure was also implemented in Nora-Platiel-Straße: a previous paved area was unsealed, a tree was replanted and the extended area was planted with perennials.

In the process, 47 shrubs were planted, including monk's pepper, Malus tschonoskii and rock pear, and more than 20,000 perennials, flower bulbs and herbs such as oregano, mountain savory and sage were planted. These measures will reduce sealed surfaces, create new green structures and improve the quality of life on the campus.

Square south of the ASL building
The paved area south of the ASL building was removed and unsealed. The plan is to redesign it as a green open space featuring two sculptural benches, solitary trees, and grassy areas covering a total of approximately 315 m². A small grove of elms and red-flowering chestnut trees will be created. The northern area will be developed as an extensive wild meadow, while the southern area will be a walkable gravel lawn with wildflowers planted beneath the surface. The project is scheduled for completion by spring 2027.

Forecourt south of LEO: Individual tree pits were combined into larger units and filled with fresh substrate. A walkable gravel surface with a seeded mix of grass and flowers was installed; the existing water-bound pavements remain in place in the remaining areas as footpaths.

Arnold-Bode-Straße: To break up the stony streetscape, approximately 120 m² of surface area was unsealed, and six planting beds of varying sizes were created. Their locations are aligned with bicycle parking spaces, seating areas, entrances, and pathways. A mix of perennials, as well as small shrubs and specimen shrubs, was planted.

General Information on New Plantings on Arnold-Bode-Straße

These are very hardy, low-maintenance perennial mixes with scattered shrubs, suitable for a partially shaded to shaded location. The plants also thrive in relatively dry soil. This minimizes the effort required for routine maintenance as much as possible.

The green mass of the newly planted young plants in the flower beds will increase many times over during the course of the first growing season. In subsequent years, the plants will become increasingly established and form a largely continuous, green carpet during the growing season.

Advantages of mineral mulch covers

Water and Soil Regulation

• High protection against evaporation: The layer of stones protects the soil from direct sunlight. Moisture remains stored in the soil significantly longer.
• Excellent water permeability: Rainwater seeps away immediately and does not pool on the surface.
• No nitrogen fixation: Unlike bark mulch, mineral materials do not leach nitrogen from the soil as they decompose. Plant growth is not inhibited.

Care and Protection

• Effective weed suppression: The mulch blocks sunlight, so unwanted weeds have little chance of germinating, thereby reducing maintenance efforts.
• No Decomposition: Mineral mulch does not decompose. It does not need to be replenished annually, which saves money and labor in the long run.
• Erosion protection: The heavy mulch protects the soil from being washed away during heavy rain and from being blown away by the wind.
• Snail deterrent: Snails avoid dry, sharp-edged stones because they have a hard time moving around on them.