To Care or Not to Care? Which Factors Influence the Distribution of Early-Flowering Geophytes at the Vienna Central Cemetery (Austria)

Cemeteries not only serve as burial sites but also a habitat for many animal and plant species, the specific management of cemeteries creates conditions that hardly exist anywhere else. So-called stinzen plants are those species show connection to old garden cultures need precisely these conditions. Many early-flowering geophytes. We examined which factors influence distribution abundance (=cover values) geophytes at largest cemetery in Austria, Zentralfriedhof Vienna, tried identify such populations. In spring 2020, we performed two vegetation surveys 143 plots recorded occurrence (in %) Then, collected four variables each plot: (1) type (architectural cemetery, park memorial), (2) care intensity, (3) use (path between graves, abandoned free space road grave, open meadow area with adjacent graves), (4) distance next path. total nine different geophyte species. All were found on very low intensity. Only paths graves. Six listed threatened Vienna’s Red Data List. Two Eranthis hyemalis Galanthus nivalis, ornamental plants. Plots have significantly lower average cover values than other types. This can be explained by high maintenance measures increased visitor pressure due its location. Additionally, data revealed intensity seems harm study showed refugia protected urban areas should, therefore, considered nature conservations.