Styria documented 2,500 species of animals, plants and fungi in a global competition – a rare fungus was first found in Styria and endangered animals were also included. Graz became European champion with a total of 17,000 sightings.
Two weeks ago, hobby biologists battled through the bushes for four days – in 445 cities worldwide. Your goal: to discover as many animals, plants and mushrooms as possible. The “City Nature Challenge” was held in the US for the first time in 2016 and since 2020 Graz and the surrounding area are also participating.
Sensational finds in Styria
Because Styria have once again been crowned European champions this year with a total of 17,000 observations! There were also some sensational finds among the 2,518 documented species: The southern bark ball fungus was first discovered in Styria in Frohnleiten. Organizer and biologist Gernot Kunz also found a very rare harvestman (pictured above) at a cave entrance in the Deutschlandsberger Klause: “It is highly endangered in Austria and only about two millimeters long.”
The horseshoe bat, an equally endangered bat here, was also found in Graz: “The last known breeding ground in Austria”, says Kunz. He wants to keep the location a secret.
Styria often saw the Roman snail or the soldier beetle. Among the plants are the creeping bugle, garlic mustard and ivy. All results can be found at www.inaturalist.org/observations.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
