Himmelsteiche: rescue for animals in drought!

Himmelsteiche: rescue for animals in drought!

In the first half of 2025, we will not be spared the issue of water shortages. Especially in the Northeim district, where temperatures are soaring and precipitation falls by the wayside, not only nature suffers, but also local wild animals. The drought is already having a massive impact on biodiversity, with many fields being drained. During this time, bees, birds and mammals particularly rely on water to drink, bathe and cool down. To counteract this, the “Himmelsteiche” initiative was launched in the district. Loud HNA Around two dozen of these still bodies of water have already been created in the last two years, which not only support wildlife but also represent an essential water source for the region.

These “sky ponds,” fed by rainfall and groundwater, provide an important habitat at a time when the landscape’s water balance is out of balance. The district nature conservation officer Gert Habermann calls on all landowners to create additional areas for these still bodies of water. Such measures could be crucial to maintaining a functioning ecosystem and strengthening resilience to extreme climatic events.

Wild animals and their survival strategies

Of course, the drought doesn't stop the wild animals either. Given the scarcity of water, many animals, including wild boars and hares, are developing special nutritional strategies. How Hunting facts reported that during dry phases these animals switch to a plant-based diet that contains higher amounts of liquid. Wild boars eat more leaves and buds, which are often covered in morning dew. This gives them much-needed moisture without having to concentrate on the strenuous search for snails or worms.

Brown hares, on the other hand, look for juicy plants in beet fields and lick plenty of plant juice - a survival strategy that proves effective in times of extreme weather conditions.

The importance of water balance

But it's not just the immediate water sources that are of central importance. A functioning landscape water balance is essential for the climate, biodiversity and people. The Federal Environment Agency highlights that in Germany only nine percent of rivers and lakes are in good ecological condition. This is alarming, especially in view of the impending increased droughts and heavy rainfall events that climate change will bring.

The renaturation of rivers and floodplains and the creation of flood plains are just a few examples of necessary measures. These not only help to stabilize the water balance, but also promote healthy ecosystems. In addition, agriculture and forestry should be adapted to be climate resilient. This is the only way we can do justice to the future of water and at the same time ensure a sustainable environment for flora and fauna.

The current situation in the district is a clear call to us and society: to create more awareness of the valuable water habitat and to actively promote its protection. With a little collaboration and commitment we can achieve a lot.