Biodiversity

The more kinds of native Danish flowers, the better. Choosing species that bloom at different times of the year ensures flowers from early spring to late autumn, which, according to the Danish Society for Nature Conservation, helps butterflies and wild bees find food all year round.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

•  The land west of the carparks, south of Fioniavej, which covers up to 25 hectares, is left uncut throughout the year. Here are various wildflowers and grasses. The vegetation is cut back once a year.
•  The embankments surrounding the central campus are also left uncut. Because the slopes face different directions, they create varied growing conditions, leading to different plant types. The vegetation is cut back once a year.
• In newer courtyards (Faculty of Health Sciences), sedum has been used for green roofs. The sedum mix is carefully chosen to suit the Nordic climate. While flowering is limited, it’s a good alternative to roofing felt or tiling and benefits butterflies and insects.

Possible actions

• Planting flowering shrubs, perennials and summer flowers.
•  Sow wildflower seeds in select visible areas.
• Create larger wildflower meadows.

The wilder an area is, the more different kinds of animals can find shelter and build homes. These can be natural habitats or purpose-built shelters.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

 All forests around SDU Odense are left undisturbed, with minimal management. Only dangerous trees are removed to ensure safe access. Felled trees are left where they fall, with trunks and branches remaining in the forest floor. This creates a varied and wild undergrowth, providing natural hiding and nesting places for animals.

Possible actions

• Nesting boxes for different bird species can be mounted on walls, fences, poles and trees to attract the desired species. Birds have different needs regarding nesting box size and placement. Common birds that use nesting boxes include great tits, blue tits, tree sparrows and starlings, as well as swifts, kestrels and tawny owls. Bumblebees and wasps have also been known to settle in bird nesting boxes.
• Insect hotels can provide breeding and overwintering spots for various insects. They should be placed in dry, sunny locations. Some hotels have holes for ladybirds to hibernate, while others are designed to shelter butterflies. Solitary bees, lacewings and earwigs are also known to use insect hotels.

All sources of water – whether a pond, a reflecting pool or a birdbath – help the area’s thirsty animals.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

 There are water pools in several courtyards. They contain aquatic plants, which benefit both insects and birds.

Twelve climate ponds have been created in the west-facing areas. In addition to managing surface water in a natural and climate-friendly, these ponds support plant and animal life. They are designed to avoid altering the groundwater level out of consideration for the nearby Killerup Rende.

Killerup Rende is a stream that runs through SDU’s southern grounds. It is part of the Odense River system via Lindved River, receiving rainwater runoff from SDU, OUH and private drainage systems in the area.

Possible actions

•  Even small water features of a few square metres can provide habitats for several insect species and breeding grounds for amphibians. If a wetland is shallow, it may dry out in summer, which benefits amphibians that breed in ponds. South-facing ponds warm up faster in spring. During dry summer months, drinking stations can be set up to provide water for birds, hedgehogs, insects and other animals when natural puddles and ponds evaporate.
• All amphibians (frogs, toads and salamanders) can be drawn to and breed in wet areas, provided there are no fish. Dragonflies, damselflies and caddisflies also use such spots for breeding. Controlled plant growth improves conditions for both habitats and breeding.

Old branches, leaves and twigs aren’t garden waste – they should be left undisturbed in piles or as brushwood fences. These provide shelter, food and habitats for a wide range of mammals, birds, insects and fungi.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

Hedgerows and vegetation along paths, roads and buildings are trimmed to ensure safe access. As many cut branches as possible are left in nature. This preserves dense and varied hedges that serve as natural hiding and nesting places for wildlife.

Possible actions

A pile of twigs and branches creates a maze where birds can nest and other animals can hide. If branch piles need to be removed, this should only happen in August and September, when birds are not nesting. Hedgehogs can take shelter in these piles during the day, and birds can use them for nesting

Different native Danish shrubs and thickets can bring new life to the area, providing shelter, shade and food for local wildlife. Berry bushes and flowering trees help birds, bees, butterflies and beetles.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

The surrounding areas include woodlands and shrubbery, including protected forest areas that are rarely trimmed, allowing for wild, diverse landscapes.

Closer to the campus, there are wooded areas and shrubs. Trees have been planted in pairs or small groups, with bush belts in several places.

In some courtyards, trees, trimmed hedges and bushes are arranged to balance green and blue nature elements. The outdoor spaces around the Faculty of Health Sciences building include perennial beds and ground cover. Green roofs (sedum) are used in some courtyards and between buildings.

Climbing plants grow on the facades of some buildings.

Possible actions

•  Reduce maintenance in select areas. Let nature take over and grow wild.
• Limit lawn mowing in certain areas. Some areas could be mowed just twice a year, in mid-May and October. This allows grass to grow in summer, giving insects a habitat during the growing season. Removing cut grass can help reduce soil nutrients, creating space for wildflowers that attract pollinators.
• Encourage habitat diversity by mixing shady and sunny spots, dry and damp areas. The greater the variation, the better the conditions for a wide range of species. It can be beneficial to maintain both old trees and open, flower-rich areas.

Many animals are cold-blooded, meaning they rely on the sun for warmth. Some species, including certain reptiles and insects, need to bask in the sun to function and lay eggs. Insects in early spring need warmth as they use a lot of energy flying.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

Large stones have been placed around the climate ponds as part of their construction.

Possible actions

• South-facing earth embankments can create warm, dry areas where animals can sun themselves.
• In addition to rocks and earth embankments, insects also love sand. Many species prefer dry, south-facing soil, as it stores heat like a battery, allowing them to warm up and dig burrows. Exposing soil on a sunny slope lets it heat up quickly. Native wildflowers can be planted in these nutrient-poor patches, where fast-drying soil helps prevent grasses from taking over.

Old and hollow trees with cracks in their bark are valuable habitats for many species. Protecting and leaving them standing benefits insects, birds and fungi.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

The woodlands around campus are left undisturbed. Trees that are pruned or felled for safety reasons along cycle paths and walkways remain in the forest, gradually decomposing into the forest floor over time.

Possible actions

• Place large branches and logs on the ground. Leaving them in both shaded and sunny areas creates habitats for different species of beetles and fungi.
• Some beetle larvae live just under the bark or inside the wood. Many fungi also thrive on deadwood. Logs left in shaded areas retain more moisture than those in the sun, creating diverse conditions for wood-dwelling insects.
• Old trees often have holes in their trunks, and large branches can serve as nesting spots for birds and bats. Bats may roost under loose bark or in small cavities in large trees. Birds such as tits, woodpeckers and nuthatches nest in tree holes. Woodpeckers carve out their own nesting holes, while other species make use of existing holes or nesting boxes.

Stone features strengthen biodiversity. They provide shelter for wild bees, butterflies and reptiles. Sunlit stones also serve as warm resting spots for animals. Lizards and insects can raise their body temperature by basking on sun-warmed rocks. Stone piles also offer hiding places for small animals.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

Crushed stone and pebbles are already used in many places on campus, for example in bands along facades, between paved and green areas, between parking rows and in courtyards near glass facades.

Possible actions

• Stone piles, stone walls or embankments can be created using large rocks, such as fieldstones, placed in sunny spots.
• Many insects, such as ground-nesting bees, wasps and spiders, benefit from warm stones. Some bumblebee species use dry-stone walls for nesting and hibernation. Lizards and insects can raise their body temperature by basking on sun-warmed rocks.

Felled or standing dead trees left to decay naturally benefit biodiversity. If trees need to be cut down, they should be left in place whenever possible, ideally cut into sections and distributed in different locations. Deadwood is important for many species, including fungi, insects and birds.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

All woodlands on SDU Odense’s grounds are left undisturbed. Leaves and branches from tree maintenance remain in the forest and gradually decompose over time. The same principle applies to tree trunks, with only dangerous trees being removed

Possible actions

A dying tree with enough space around it can be left standing for as long as possible to allow nature to take its course. Over time, a dead trunk can take on a sculptural look, while fungi and moss grow around it.

Tree stumps can also be preserved – ideally as tall as possible. Stumps in sunny spots are especially valuable habitats. A stump can be made more interesting by planting a climbing plant around it or attaching a bird box to the trunk.

Earth embankments provide ideal habitats for many plants and animals. South-facing embankments or slopes offer good conditions for butterflies and wild plant species, as well as nesting and sheltering spots for wild bees and other insects.

Areas and opportunities at SDU

Several earth embankments are found on the western side of campus, particularly near the climate ponds.

Slopes are located between buildings and the carparks surrounding the central campus. These face in all four cardinal directions, creating different growing conditions. Most are covered in untrimmed grass and shrubs.

Possible actions

Excess soil, e.g. from construction projects, can be used to form embankments. This reduces carbon emissions from transporting surplus soil elsewhere. Planting suitable vegetation on the embankments can help stabilise the soil. Plants like thyme and bird’s-foot trefoil are particularly effective for this.