https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz The natural world of Denmark en-us 2019-01-23 10:02:15 UTC 2023-12-28 09:40:05 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Xmastree.png mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323364808 Area: 43,561 km2
People: 5,750,000
Capital: Copenhagen
Highest point: 172,5 m
Temperate climate

Part of EU
Part of Scandinavia

No mountains or volcanos]]> 2019-01-23 10:06:02 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323364808 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323366952 More than half of the country is land area is used for farming]]> 2019-01-23 10:13:38 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323366952 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323367485 Only 14.5 % of the country is land area is forest and only a fraction of this is natural forest]]> 2019-01-23 10:15:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323367485 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323369473 Denmark do not have a lot of wildlife. Below is listed some of the threatened animals in Denmark:

• Common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius): Loosing habitat
• Bats: Several bat species in Denmark are threatened due to loss of habitats
• European hare (Lepus europaeus): Lossing of habitat
• Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra): Hunting and loosing habitat

]]> 2019-01-23 10:22:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323369473 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323374147 Only 9.5% of the Danish habitat is protected and many of these areas a extremely small. Some of the most important protected areas are listed below:

• Lille Vildmose: Northern Europe's largest bog
• Vadehavet: Part of UNESCOs world heritage
• Møns Klint: Unique geology and nature

]]> 2019-01-23 10:38:46 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323374147 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323374507 The majority of the Danish area is intensely farmed. Here is a list of some of the threatened plants:

• All Danish orchid species are threatened (around 35 species): Loosing habitat
• Fern (Osmunda regalis): Loosing habitat
• Floating water-plantain (Luronium natans): Loosing habitat
• Alpine clubmoss (Diphasiastrum alpinum): Thought to be lost in Denmark now

]]> 2019-01-23 10:40:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323374507 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323808238 Introducing Denmark]]> 2019-01-24 08:59:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323808238 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323808640 Exploring Danish biodiversity]]> 2019-01-24 09:01:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323808640 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323810286 Many lakes in Denmark are challenged with having to few top predator fish. This creates an unbalanced food-web with a large biomass of fish in the middle of the trophic pyramid predating especially on  the daphnia species. With low concentrations of daphnia the algea can grow uncontrolled leading to very unclear lake and starting a bad circle of cascade effects (link).]]> 2019-01-24 09:07:53 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323810286 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323817967 Although mostly know from the tropics a parasite that turns ants into zombies has now also been found in Danish forests (link). The parasite  (Dicrocoelium dendriticum), which has a very complex life cycle, infect the ants and completely changes its behaviour. Instead of acting like a "normal" ant, the ant starts seeking higher ground. The parasites next host has to be a grass eating mammal and getting the ant to crawl upwards, increases the chances of the ant being eating by the next host in the parasites life cycle.]]> 2019-01-24 09:35:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/323817967 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324300145 is the national bird of Denmark. It has a native range in Denmark and Europe but has been introduced as an ornamental bird in many parts of the world. Around 1920 only 3-4 breeding couples were found in Denmark, but it has since then recovered remarkably since then. In Denmark it can be found across the country in a large number of lakes and coastal areas. It is the largest bird in Denmark where it feeds on a number of water plants along with grass and corn found along side the shores. Because of their need for bottom water plants, the mute swan is influenced by eutrophication and algae blooming which destroys the bottom water plants. Its worst natural enemy is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) who often target the young swans or the eggs. Many swans stay in Denmark during the entire winter.]]> 2019-01-25 13:25:50 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324300145 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324305173 2019-01-25 13:39:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324305173 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324309031 is a small rodent living in trees and feeding on a great variety of food items (omnivore). Some of their main food types include seeds from various tree species such as oak, bog, coniferous trees, hassle and sometimes bird chicks. Due to their behaviour of eating and digging down seeds they are important seed dispersers. The red squirrels most important enemies are different birds of prey, owls and red fox. Lately the spread of the invasive grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is threatening the red squirrel, out-competing it for food and introducing a deadly novel disease.
Actually the black squirrel, a colour variant of the red squirrel used to be the normal variant in Denmark. The introduction of the red squirrel, who's red genes are dominant, however means that the black squirrel is becoming increasingly rare (link):]]> 2019-01-25 13:49:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324309031 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324310591 2019-01-25 13:53:02 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324310591 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324311781 2019-01-25 13:55:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324311781 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324311969 In Denmark the tick is considered one of the most dangerous animals. Not the actual tick it self but because of the range of parasites it may carry and infect humans with. This includes Borrelia caused by the parasite bacterie (Borrelia burgdorferi) and the parasite babesia. (link)]]> 2019-01-25 13:56:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324311969 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324844778 The two top predator lake fishes are the Northern Pike (Esox lucius) and the Zander (Sander lucioperca) often share the same habitat and hunt the same prey. Both species can also occur in brackish waters. These species are also sought after for game anglers although the Zander is often considered the most valued fish for the dinner table. Although they share the same hunting grounds and prey fish (also preying on each other and their own fry) there are a few differences making the coexisting possible. The Zander relies less on eyesight (compared to the pike) and therefore often occurs in higher numbers where waters a murky. ]]> 2019-01-28 10:21:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324844778 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324849467 wikipedia]]> 2019-01-28 10:39:20 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324849467 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324849790 http://www.ifiske.se/]]> 2019-01-28 10:40:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324849790 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324873328 2019-01-28 12:13:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324873328 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324884010 Further elaboration]]> 2019-01-28 12:51:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324884010 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324886296 The Danish nature has been severely damaged and destroyed by a number of factors. Forests has been changed into agricultural fields. Lakes, bogs and streams has been altered and drained also to make agricultural fields. Forests has been changed into monoculture forests only containing a single species and often harvested for timber. And agriculture is causing an intensive eutrophication of rivers, lakes and sea shores all over in the country. Below are a few examples.]]> 2019-01-28 12:59:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324886296 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324888552 Marine eelgrass (Zostera maritima) is the foundation of a highly important ecosystem in Danish shores. They provide important living areas for mussels, snails, crabs, fish, different crustaceans and are important breeding grounds for many fish species (link). Further it is eaten by a number of birds like the mute swan described further up. Marine eelgrass also stabilizes the sea floor protecting it from erosion. Since the beginning of the 1900 there has been a dramatic decrease in the occurrence of Marine eelgrass. The most important reason for this is the agricultural release of fertilizers reaching the ocean making the waters less clear and thus hindering sunlight to reach the sea bottom (link). But also fishing equipment aimed at the sea bottom is causing damage.]]> 2019-01-28 13:05:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324888552 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324888639 As seen in theme 1 about 14.5 % of the Danish land area is forest. However, only 1 % of the area is forest older than 150 years. The rest of the forest is managed and of very poor biological value. It is important to notice that forest used to be the primary vegetation in Denmark (link). The old and untouched forest is an important habitat for a great number of species many of which are threatened. Much of this forest has been lost to agriculture and mono-forest and the remaining old forests in Denmark are small and not coherent. ]]> 2019-01-28 13:05:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324888639 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324910649 "Not a single stream left in Denmark is natural"
This is the hard fact given by a number of Danish researchers. 
Because of the previous agricultural focus a lot of the streams in Denmark were straightened and managed to ensure a large and fast water flow to keep the fields dry. The government even gave subsidies to help the farmers in this matter. This caused a dramatic decrease in both the water animals and fish and also in the associated birds and plants.
Now, many years later, the price of restoring the streams again are many many times higher than the original costs of "destroying" the streams. ]]> 2019-01-28 13:53:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/324910649 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326171113 Overfishing:
Denmark is one of the worst countries in EU when it comes to unsustainable fishery. Because Denmark is a proud, old fishing nation politicians have for decades favoured the fishing industry resulting in fishing quotas being way higher than sustainable feasible. Lately a variety of people, actors and influencers are trying to push the Danish politicians and increase the awareness of the Danish contribution to eradicating important fish stocks (link).]]> 2019-01-31 08:46:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326171113 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326175831 More than 2000 species of plants and animals are on the IUCN red list in Denmark. The main reason for their threaten status is loss of habitat (link). An example is that every 1 out 4 of the mammal species in Denmark are threatened. This include charismatic animals such as hare (Lepus europaeus), otter (Lutra lutra), grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).
Furthermore, all Danish orchids, amphibians and reptiles protected and half of all the butterfly species (like the Maculinea arion on the picture). It is worth mentioning that none of the Danish threatened species are threatened because of gathering of wild specimens for collections or trade. ]]> 2019-01-31 09:05:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326175831 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326184290 Denmark, like many other countries, are struggling with a number of invasive species. Within EU, Denmark is therefore also committed to actively combat 10 invasive species. Some having economical consequences and some just being a real pain for the private person. Below are a few examples of invasive species in Denmark:]]> 2019-01-31 09:36:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326184290 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326184786 Actually, this species have not been found in Denmark yet but has been found in many of our neighbouring countries like Germany, UK and France. Here it has been introduced to serve as a food supplement. This species however is carrying a number of diseases extremely harmful to the native and naive species of crayfish. In Sweden the introduction of crayfish has resulted in devastating consequences for the native crayfish (link). ]]> 2019-01-31 09:37:55 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326184786 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326190813 This species is also on the IUCN top 100 of invasive species in the world (link). Unfortunately, it is also found in Danish waters. In Denmark it preys on fish eggs, fish fry and animal plankton and thus being a serious threat to the native wildlife. It is impossible to fight it and only few native species prey on the ctenophore.]]> 2019-01-31 09:59:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326190813 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326193219 This species is probably one of the best known invasive species in Denmark and goes under a number of public names with the most common being the killer snail. It is well known because it can occur in great numbers and do serious damage to our beloved gardens. It is therefore feared by many gardeners and million of Danish krones are used each year to combat it. On top of that it is believed to pose a threat to the native slugs (A. rofus and A. ater).]]> 2019-01-31 10:07:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326193219 mnapieceofnature https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326197029 Like the rest of the world, Denmark is also experiencing the consequences from climate change. Especially the fact that we are surrounded by ocean poses a challenge. In 2018 Denmark was hit by the worst summer drought ever and climate change is thought to be the reason it became so extreme (link).
Denmark is believed to experience climate change with more and heavier rain falls, more wind, rising sea levels and increased temperatures (link)]]> 2019-01-31 10:20:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/326197029 al_glyk https://padlet.com/mnapieceofnature/4yv74lbz8yiz/wish/329799059 this bioarea is very interesting. It presents all subjects in a elaborate and attractive way. It gives an wide image of Denmark. Good job.

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