They are returning!
The rare species in the Sihlwald
The Abraeus Parvulus beetle, the Flaviporus Citronellus fungus and the Green Shield-Moss are among the rare species that can be found in the Sihlwald today.
A large amount of deadwood and forests in which the natural cycle is intact. The Sihlwald increasingly fulfils these requirements for habitats of so-called «demanding species». For the past 25 years, nature has been given priority here and rare or even thought to be extinct species are returning to the Sihlwald on the Central Plateau. This is also the case with the Abraeus Parvulus beetle.
Much has changed in the Sihlwald over the past 25 years: The volume of deadwood has practically doubled in the last 20 years and is now well above the Swiss average. Storms such as Burglind or dry periods in the summers, followed by bark beetle infestation, have accelerated this process. The Sihlwald thus provides an ideal habitat for rare and endangered species, as over 6000 species of animals, fungi and plants need dead wood to survive. Beetles, fungi, lichens and mosses are now taking over the once busy forest and are spreading. The Sihlwald is developing into a hotspot for rare species and if you look closely in the right place, you can find the one beetle or fungus whose occurrence is most exciting.
This is why natural forest reserves such as the Sihlwald are essential for the survival of endangered species.
