Alpine meadows are an important historical landscape form in the North Tyrolean Alps. These are steep grassy areas in higher altitudes that are used for grazing livestock or haymaking (hay production). The meadows are typically very rich in rare animal and plant species.

The manual labor on these steep areas is often difficult and strenuous, yet some alpine meadows still serve as important grazing and fodder areas to this day – thus contributing to the preservation of traditional alpine farming methods.

However, due to economic neglect, many alpine meadows have increasingly been threatened by encroachment and afforestation in recent decades. Additionally, climate change poses a growing challenge, as it significantly alters conditions in higher altitudes. To ensure the preservation of alpine meadows, targeted measures for the protection and care of these areas are necessary.

– Tettigonia cantans –

• Characteristics: bright green with elongated brown markings on the back, sings well but flies poorly
• Habitat: undemanding – dry grasslands, wet meadows, sunny edges of paths, and cultivated areas
• Life style: after 6 different larval stages, the adult grasshopper reaches a size of 30 to 35 mm. Its diet consists of plants and insects.
• Observation tip: sitting 2 to 5 m high in the bushes during the summer months, singing – loud and regularly repeated buzzing sounds – audible up to 50 m away from noon until late at night
• Observation period: July to October