Project lead: André Rey
Project team: Rebekka Moser, Jürg Sommerhalder
Background
In 2017 (revised version February 2024) the Schaffhausen Regional Nature Park drew up an “Action Plan for Wild Bees in the Canton of Schaffhausen”. This strategic document sets out aims and conservation measures for the 68 threatened wild bee species that occur in the Canton of Schaffhausen according to the Red List. The “target species” are grouped according to their specific ecological requirements: a distinction is made, for example, by pollen requirements and nest-site preferences of the individual species, but also between the inhabitants of different landscape types. Wild bees can and should also be supported in settled areas, which, with their wealth of flowers and structures, potentially offer habitat for wild bee species of every landscape type. So that the relevant species are supported as precisely as possible, the action plan divides the Canton of Schaffhausen into seven conservation regions:
1. Schaffhausen/Neuhausen
2. Reiat
3. Randen
4. Klettgau
5. Wutachtal
6. Ramser Zipfel
7. Buchberg/Rüdlingen
Drawing on the “Red List of the Wild Bees of Switzerland” issued by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and on the wild bee species of national priority known to occur in the Canton of Schaffhausen, the Cantonal Office for Planning and Nature Conservation successfully applied to the Confederation for funding to carry out a pilot project: taking the two conservation regions “Ramser Zipfel” and “Buchberg/Rüdlingen” as examples, a differentiated plan is to be developed and carried out for the practical implementation of the measures defined in the “Action Plan for Wild Bees in the Canton of Schaffhausen”.
The Cantonal Office for Planning and Nature Conservation of Schaffhausen awarded the corresponding contract to IG Wilde Biene, the only association working nationwide for the conservation of wild bees. IG Wilde Biene takes on the role of project coordinator. The work itself is carried out by Rebekka Moser, André Rey and Jürg Sommerhalder, specialists in wild bees and species conservation.
The Canton of Schaffhausen bears a particular responsibility for the black mortar bee, which in northern Switzerland is threatened with extinction. This wild bee is moreover endangered throughout central Europe. A few strong populations still survive in the Canton of Schaffhausen. (Photo: © Jürg Sommerhalder).