Land acquisition project: Altenburger Land
Thuringia

Where large eyes gaze out of nest cavities

Landscape type (Biotope)

The approx. 19.0 ha Fasanerieholz (Pheasant Copse) Nature Reserve includes warmth-favoured Bedstraw-Oak- Hornbeam woodland (Galio-Carpinetum) on clayey-loamy, shallow and alternating dry soils. The sparse mixed forest consists of English Oak, Large-leaved Lime and Hornbeam, some of which are up to 300 years old.

The terrain relief includes moderately deep valleys and parts of steep slopes with residual forest amid the cleared agricultural landscape of the Altenburg loess area.

The rich shrub and herb layer consists of warmth-loving species such as Woolly Viburnum, Privet, Lady's Bedstraw, Lily of the Valley and Periwinkle.

Threat factors

The prolonged dry periods in spring and summer weaken the vitality of the trees, especially the hornbeams, and lead to the herb layer drying out before seed formation.

Intense browsing pressure by game prevents the urgently needed natural regeneration of this ancient forest, which is up to 250 years old. Most acorns are eaten before they can germinate. There are no stages of natural forest regeneration under the sparse canopy, which can be up to 30 m high.

Demands of the state air traffic control authority for crown pruning or felling of individual old oaks in the middle of the nature reserve because of protrusion into the airspace of the approach path of the Altenburg-Nobitz airfield. Implementing these demands could be averted for the present after a joint on-site visit.

The reasons for and the aims of conservation

Our land purchase aims to end the forest exploitation (logging) stipulated in the nature reserve ordinance and enforce the total protection of this old, warmth-favouring hillside and ravine forest. This means the permanent preservation of the ecological value of this sparse mixed forest with its giant trees up to 30 m high, offering a valuable, albeit isolated, habitat to Red List flowering plants, mammals and insects. The Edible Dormouse and the Purple Emperor butterfly thrive here.

Our project commitment

Purchase of 5.1 ha of the ecologically most valuable part of this old nature reserve (designated since 1961).

We plan to apply to the responsible nature conservation authority for permission to create up to six fenced-in areas, each of some 80 m², to initiate natural forest regeneration by preventing deer browsing in these areas.

When the current boundary settlement is resolved, it is also planned to replant the herbaceous hedge structure at the woodland edge, which was cleared by an agricultural enterprise along the east side of the property. This latter action changed the light conditions in the forest, leading to a massive negative change in the forest floor vegetation. Our replanting plans are aimed at assisting forest regeneration.

We continue to attempt to purchase additional nature reserve areas.

Dominant species (Fauna/Flora)

Edible Dormouse, European Badger, Red Kite, Purple Emperor.

Your donation helps us to purchase further ecologically-valuable plots of land.