Land acqusition project: Ohlstadt near Murnau
Bavaria

Where Woodpeckers create homes for owls

Landscape type (Biotope)

Pre-alpine mixed mountain forest on a steep slope consisting of Red Spruce, Silver Fir, Common Beech and Sycamore. Our mixed mountain forest is located at an altitude of 800 - 1,200 m on the west flank of the Buchrain mountain in the Herzogstand-Heimgarten massif in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Upper Bavaria.

Threat factors

A few years ago, extensive felling was carried out in the forest areas on the western slopes of the Buchrain mountain. Irrespective of all knowledge about the harmful effects of climate change on the mountain forests, new forest access roads that damage the landscape were built, even on steep slopes, so that the latest forestry technology could be used efficiently and economically.

Since the end of the forest activity, the measures have promoted erosion and contributed to the rapid drainage and destruction of the steep mountain flanks by landslides and snow, debris and mud avalanches.

The mountain regions around the Murnauer Moos and their biodiversity, which were developed in an attractive way for leisure pursuits, are now suffering from unprecedented pressure and abuse from recreational activities on foot, on bicycles (mountain and e-bikes) and even in SUVs.

The reasons for and the aims of conservation

Ending forestry activities.

Stabilisation of the forest protection processes to exclude human intervention in mountain forest development to create stable mixed mountain woodland adapted to climate change.

Our project commitment

Our mountain forest purchase serves the long-term preservation and natural regeneration of a largely intact mixed mountain forest over an area of approx. 9.1 ha. Our process protection also means not using the wood from the Spruce and Beech trees in the crest area uprooted by a westerly storm in 2017 and allows Beech, Sycamore, Silver Fir and Red Spruce to reach the end of their natural life. The mixed woodland, some of which is already naturally rejuvenating, can thus adapt to the climate changes already taking place.

The still large deer population causes us concern. During our last mountain forest inspection on the Buchrain in June 2020, we noticed massive browsing by game on the young Sycamore and Silver Fir trees, especially on the windthrow forest edges in the ridge area.

Our goal is to buy additional mountain forest areas in addition to the 9.1 ha on the Buchrain mountain the Foundation already owns. To this end, we work intensively with our local confidants in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Dominant species (Fauna/Flora)

Western Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, Tengmalm's Owl, Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Alpine Salamander.

Your donation enables the purchase of further ecologically-valuable plots of land.