Fen meadow

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Fen meadows are meadows on fen -Standorten, characterized by the combination of high ground water level and the presence of peat layers are distinguished different thickness in the underground. The designation characterizes a locally defined category that includes a large number of wet meadow communities of different vegetation and species composition and different uses and usage histories. Locally, a distinction is made between lime-rich fen meadows, often with particularly species-rich vegetation, and acidic fen meadows. In terms of vegetation, the species-rich stands mostly belong to the Kleinseggenrieden . They are very species-rich and provide a habitat for rare and endangered plant and animal species. Like all wet meadows, fen meadows are under nature protection as “legally protected biotopes” in accordance with Section 30 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act. The wording in the law is “wet meadows rich in sedge and rushes”.

Until the 20th century, fen meadows were used for agriculture as hay meadows , and more often as litter meadows . They were mowed once a year, less often twice . The use of traditional meadow types has become uneconomical under today's economic conditions in agriculture. The meadows are therefore usually either ameliorated or their use is completely abandoned ( wasted ). In the context of ecological agriculture in particular, fen meadows such as the Wierich meadows are still occasionally used to obtain hay.

In order to preserve the community with many rare and endangered animal and plant species, nature conservation endeavors to maintain the areas, which in essence is intended to simulate previous use. In particular, the clippings should be removed from the mown area. Fen meadows are a preferred habitat for certain butterfly species . In order to complete their life cycle, they need certain fodder plants all year round, which is why parts of the area are often left standing during the care mowing and are only mowed the next time. Instead, other partial areas are retained in the second pass.

literature

  • G. Colditz: floodplains, moors, wet meadows; Threat to and protection of wetlands ; Birkhäuser Verlag 1994, ISBN 3-7643-5019-9