Rawlplug S A : Let nature do it. That’s what revitalisation means

Let nature do it. That's what revitalisation means Feb 24, 2023

They are very different. Some of them adapt perfectly to even the most difficult conditions. Others are characterised by particular sensitivity and specific expectations towards the world, which may sometimes be reluctant to make concessions. What they have in common is that we can really help all the plant and animal species to be found on Rawlplug's premises. Thanks to a report prepared by the biologists from the University of Wrocław, we know how and we've already got down to it.

Rawlplug invited scientists to visit the site of the Wrocław headquarters last summer. The goal of their examinations, which continued from July to October, was to survey the green areas surrounding our company. The inventory of the local flora and fauna was developed by a multidisciplinary team (composed of botanists, dendrologists, chiropterologists, mammalogists, ornithologists, and entomologists) led by Marcin Kadeja, PhD Eng., Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Wrocław.

375 plant and animal species

The biologists' report clearly implies that even heavily urbanised and industrialised areas can be of natural value, the evidence of which is that as many as 266 species of plants, 60 species of insects, 28 species of birds, and 21 species of mammals can be found in the direct vicinity of Rawlplug's Wrocław-based facility.

Such an impressive abundance of the surrounding flora is mainly attributable to the diversity of the local habitats, and secondly, to the variety of ways in which they are used (from intensive mowing and trimming of bushes on lawns and shrubberies, to deliberately leaving them untended). According to the researchers from the Wrocław university, one of the most valuable natural sites is the western, most wooded part of the site, featuring a large stand of trees as well as forest and underbrush vegetation.

Trees can obviously be found not only in that part of the site, but actually all over the premises. Of all the specimens listed by the biologists, poplars made up the most numerous group (41 with a circumference exceeding 50 cm). Next in the quantitative ranking came black locusts and silver birches (38 specimens of both species), while the common maple (15), the small-leaved linden (13), and the pedunculate oak (11) completed the selection.

Insect life abundance

The insects flying around Rawlplug's premises were caught alive using special nets, and those dwelling on plants - with dedicated scoops. Once tagged, the insects were immediately released back into the wild. These surveys allowed the scientists to spot as many as seven protected species (Carabus ullrichi ground beetle, white-tailed bumblebee, common carder bee, shrill carder bee, red-tailed bumblebee, tree bumblebee, large earth bumblebee) and one listed in the Polish Red Book of Animals (Scolia hirta wasp, in danger of extinction). The species particularly noteworthy are those involved in plant pollination, represented by at least four orders of insects: Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Coleoptera.

In spring and summer, the insects can be spotted with the naked eye on trees (including the dead ones, which make excellent habitats), bushes, meadows, as well as on the banks of the river Oder. And it's definitely worth the effort, as they demonstrate interesting habits and behaviours, some of which are very similar to human ones. Here are some examples. The isodontia mexicana, a species rarely found in Poland, nests in wood holes or in bamboo tubes, and… closes the door behind it by sealing the entrance with grass stalks. The firebug and the common blue butterfly clearly stand out among insects as very keen on cooperating. The former is usually found in large groups (this being an effective strategy to deter predatory birds), while the latter, still in the caterpillar form, usually feeds on comfrey, clover, and other plants of the legume family, accompanied by none other than… ants which - in exchange for the sweet secretion licked off the caterpillars - perform excellently as personal bodyguards.

Canteen for our winged friends

Birds are most active at dawn. During the morning visits, the scientists managed to observe (or recognise by the singing and drumming typical of the breeding season) nearly 30 different species among our winged neighbours. Most of them have established a permanent relationship with their human surroundings, rich in shrubs, trees, grasslands, and riparian areas. Some of them do not nest on our premises (e.g. the kingfisher, listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive, which makes it a protected species under the European Union legislation), and yet they regularly visit Rawlplug in search of food, in which the site abounds. And since we have sown a flower meadow and intentionally planted patches of land, now enabling invertebrates to dwell there, the green areas around Rawlplug have become excellent feeding grounds. The bird species which fly over our premises include grey herons, as well as swifts which spend most of their lives in the air, while our regular guests include the black redstart, the Eurasian nuthatch, the tree sparrow, and the Eurasian blue tit. The diversity of the local species is impressive, if only because of the migratory habits of those observed here: from short-distance migrants (such as the long-tailed tit) to those which prefer long journeys (such as the common chiffchaff).

Mammals of the Rawlplug family

Among the 21 mammal species found on Rawlplug's premises, as many as 12 are protected: all bats (at least nine species, including typically woodland ones, such as the western barbastelle and the greater mouse-eared bat), as well as the Eurasian beaver, the Eurasian otter, and the European mole. The European roe deer and the red fox were the species most frequently spotted by the surveyors. While the report was being prepared, a pair of roe deer (a male and a female), a herd of at least 3-4 adult roe deer with a young one, and a family of foxes with three young dwelled in the forested part of the site. The researchers performing the survey also recorded the presence of other mammals, such as wood mice, and a raccoon dog which is the only representative of the canine family that falls into winter sleep lasting from November to March.

In this particular case, the non-invasive research methods involved in the survey included searching for traces of ground mammals (tracks, droppings, foraging signs), acoustic monitoring of bats' echolocation and social calls (using suspended broadband detectors installed at 20 points), led by Dr. Joanna Furmankiewicz (pictured), and direct observations using 8 camera traps set on trees.

Giving back what once belonged to nature

This survey was not conducted out of a mere whim. It was Rawlplug's deliberate action ingrained in its sustainability policy, and more specifically - in its environmental pillar. Taking stock of the current ecosystem functioning on Rawlplug's premises, the abundance of which, as confirmed by the biologists' report, is quite impressive, is our another step towards giving back what once belonged to nature. We are pleased with what has already been achieved (Rawlplug took over a largely degraded brownfield site and began to regenerate it almost immediately), but we don't intend to stop there, which is why the scientists' guidance contained in the report is so valuable to us. It sets specific goals which we will strive to pursue as Rawlplug continues to develop sustainably.

It's good, but will be even better

What are the plans for the nearest future? Prof. Marcin Kadeja's team has provided specific recommendations in each section of the report. The scientists have made several suggestions, for instance, that the share of the invasive black locust should be reduced in the tree stand on Rawlplug's premises, but not by removing it, but rather by planting shade tolerant trees (common hornbeam or common beech) expected to outgrow it in time. Increased presence of native shrub species, such as wild elderberry and common rowan, would be welcome on the outskirts of the Wrocław site to provide relevant food sources for birds. It would also be recommendable to introduce some great burnet, a host plant for the protected species of blue butterflies, such as scarce and dusky large blue, into the flower mix growing near the marina (where the largest number of insect species, including pollinators, dwell).

As for birds, we have been recommended to change the feeder types and to mark the glass panels which reflect light, producing a mirror effect. The mammals will benefit from a number of enhancements, including safe passages across the wall running along the Oder and a pond, as well as from the local manholes and open canal sections being adequately secured. The large population of bats residing on Rawlplug's premises would definitely benefit from suitable shelters, for example, inside the vacant buildings situated within the most tree-filled area. Actually, we have already started implementing some of these solutions (the bat houses will probably be prepared later this year), while others are intended for the coming years.

Our revitalisation efforts will yield one another, more didactic effect. According to the scientists, it is worthwhile conducting educational activities on the premises of our Wrocław facility for the local population, especially children and teenagers. After all, Rawlplug's biodiversity-conscious activities can serve as an excellent example that, even in the urbanised environment, it is possible (and needed) to preserve and protect the habitats of numerous plant and animal species.

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