How can we understand the complex layers of biodiversity?

Located in the heart of the Alps, South Tyrol offers a great diversity of ecosystems and boasts a high level of biodiversity, while urban areas also provide valuable habitats and opportunities for citizens to connect with nature. But how do Bolzano's citizens experience biodiversity?

Understanding the complex interdependence of every actor of an ecosystem is not always easy. That’s why we worked on re-storying the dimensions of a plant whose presence in Bolzano has a great impact. Through fieldwork in natural spots of the city, interviewing experts: ecologists, botanists, biologists and environmental educators and working next to Thomas William, the botanist of the Naturmuseum Südtirol, we developed a hands-on activity where sensory exploration and scientifical knowledge meet.

The project unfolds along the Talvera River through a series of interconnected physical and digital elements. Four posts are placed at strategic points along the route, each highlighting a different characteristic of Robinia. Designed to encourage physical interaction, the posts use movable joints and layered texts, and present their content from the plant’s perspective through different narrative formats. Each post also includes a short project description and a QR code linking to more layers of information.

Participants are supported throughout the walk by a toolkit composed of three elements: a map, a booklet with sense-based exercises, and a postcard featuring Robinia pseudoacacia to aid species identification.