Der Friedhof lebt! – Orte für Artenvielfalt, Naturschutz und Begegnung

Darmstadt April 2021, HC., 176 pages, numerous illustrations. Places for grief and life: cemeteries are species-rich islands within cities. Various species of bees, butterflies, birds, lizards and bats find perfect retreats there. They live in peace among the tombstones. Walls and stones, trees and shrubs provide refuge, whereas flowers and grave decoration, ivies, mosses and even wreaths offer a wide variety of foods. Sigrid Tinz has visited numerous town and country cemeteries to explore the diverse habitats of our native plants and animals. She has studied the effects of changing burial practices and the increasing need to be close to nature after death as well as to what extent the choice of burial site and grave design affect biodiversity. The geoecologist author explains why biodiversity matters and how it can be promoted in cemeteries: by selecting specific plants and taking appropriate care of them but also by questioning common notions of order and fashion trends such as gravel decoration. This is how final resting places remain natural oases of tranquility and diversity. In German.