Ermschwerder Heegen

Ermschwerder Heegen IUCN Category IV - Habitat / Species Management Area
View from the top of the "Heegen" to Ermschwerd and over the Werra valley
location	North-west of Ermschwerd , a district of the city of Witzenhausen in the Werra-Meißner district in North Hesse .
surface	37 hectares
Identifier	1636013
WDPA ID	318371
Natura 2000 ID	4624-301
FFH area	37 hectares
Geographical location	51 ° 22 '  N , 9 ° 48'  E Coordinates: 51 ° 21 '39 "  N , 9 ° 48' 10"  E
Sea level	from 132  m to 235  m
Setup date	December 1985
particularities	Special protection as a nature reserve and Natura 2000 area.

The Ermschwerder Heegen is an elevation made of shell limestone in the north Hessian Werra-Meißner district that protrudes into the lower valley of the Werra . It extends over an altitude of 132  m to 235  m and consists of a wooded area, a wetland , limestone grassland , orchards and agricultural areas.

The various biotopes were created through or were shaped by ancient forms of human use. They are remnants of a former cultural landscape that is becoming increasingly rare due to changes in agriculture and forestry. While arable farming was practiced on the fertile areas, the poor, often small-parceled areas on the southern slope were used as extensive grassland or for fruit growing. Some forest areas apparently served as hat area in the past , which were afforested after being abandoned as forest pasture in the early 1970s. The traditional management , however, is likely to have been the use of coppice or medium forest . For the construction of roads in the local area, the shell limestone of the "Heegen" was excavated in small quarries. This is evidenced by an open quarry and a quarry still in operation outside the protected area.

Because of its species-rich old wood stock and a large swamp biotope with the occurrence of rare plant, insect and bird species, the "Heegen" was designated as a nature reserve in December 1985 and later, with the same area boundaries and conservation objectives, part of the European as a flora-fauna-habitat area networked protected area system " Natura 2000 ".

The nature reserve is known for a large number of liverworts , whose flowers form a blue carpet in places on the forest floor in early spring. The large, closed tall herbaceous area at the foot of the slope has a large population of the endangered ragwort and was rated in the standard data sheet for special protected areas as the "nationwide most important form of river valley vegetation ".

Geographical location

The "Heegen" is located in the north-western part of the district of Ermschwerd of the city of Witzenhausen . At a height of 235  m, it towers over the Werra valley on the left by around one hundred meters. Like the neighboring elevations, it is a shell limestone dome, which has sunk below the level of the surrounding red sandstone mountains of the Kaufunger Forest and the sand forest through a rift through which the Werra also flows today .

The protected area belongs to the " Geo-Naturpark Frau-Holle-Land " and in terms of its natural surroundings it is assigned to the " Witzenhausen-Hedemündener Werra Valley " in the " Lower Werraland " of the " East Hessian Mountains ". To the south, the area merges into the “ Hinterer Kaufunger Wald ” sub-unit of the “ Fulda-Werra-Bergland ”.

climate

Shielded by the surrounding mountain ranges, the lower Werra Valley is relatively warm and dry. The climatically favorable location of the basin promotes the appearance of heat-loving plants and the widespread use of cherry cultivation. The annual mean temperature is between 8.5 and 9 ° C, the daily mean air temperature in January between 0 and minus 1 ° C. The number of annual frost days is between 80 and 100. The mean annual precipitation with 600 to 700 mm is subject to considerable fluctuations within the valley.

Protected position

Nature reserve

With an ordinance of December 6, 1985 by the District Directorate for Forests and Nature Conservation at the regional council in Kassel , the "Heegen" was declared a nature reserve. The purpose of the protection was to preserve the species-rich old wood stock with its pronounced herbaceous layer and the swamp biotope , "which forms a natural habitat due to the occurrence of rare and sometimes very rare, closely related plant, insect and bird species" . The protected area is divided into a protection zone I and a protection zone II. In addition to the model ordinance, agricultural land use is permitted in the protection zone II in the previous scope and type. The protected area is around 37 hectares; it has the national ID 1636013 and the WDPA code 318371.

Flora-fauna habitat area

As part of the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive, the "Heegen" was reported by the State of Hesse to the EU Commission for the Europe-wide network of special protected areas Natura 2000 . Natura 2000 aims to promote biological diversity and to preserve or restore a favorable condition of natural biotopes. Among the worth protecting habitat types (short: LRT) of "Heegens," as are of Community interest and special for their conservation reserves must be shown include "Semi-natural Kalktrockenrasen and their encroachment stages" (LRT 6210) and two habitat types of forests, "Woodruff -Buchenwald "(LRT 9130) and" Orchideen-Kalk-Buchenwald "(LRT 9150).

The occurrence of the crested newt and the golden piebald butterfly was also a decisive factor in the designation of the FFH area . According to Annex II of the Habitats Directive, they are severely endangered and strictly protected species for which special protected areas must also be designated.

Legal protection took place in January 2008 with the "Ordinance on Natura 2000 areas in Hesse". The FFH area, which has the same size and the same boundaries as the nature reserve, has the area number 4624-301 and the WDPA code 555519941.

nature

The protected area consists of a swamp, a forest with old wood stocks as well as limestone grasslands, orchards, grassland and arable land.

The marshland

From August to September the warmth-loving river ragwort unfolds its light yellow flowers in the tall herbaceous area of ​​the swamp biotope.

According to the standard data sheet for special protection areas, which was created in May 1998 and updated in January 2015, the approximately three hectare wet biotope has an exceptional floristic wealth. The so-called "Franzosenried" in the valley floodplain below the Muschelkalkrücken has, according to the description, a spring corridor with the "most important form of river valley vegetation nationwide" with large stocks of river ragwort and bank sedge . In particular, the very rare heat-loving river ragwort only occurs in less natural sections of larger floodplains. In Germany, the red list species is nationwide as "endangered" and in some federal states also as "critically endangered" or "threatened with extinction".

In the wet habitat have come up with reed beds , wet wasteland and Hochstaudenfluren well as ruderals different habitat types developed dominated vegetation stocks, where next to the river-Ragwort flowering plants such as marsh marigold , meadowsweet , marsh iris , Gilb- and loosestrife grow.

The bottoms of the few, barely visible, densely overgrown bodies of water is a breeding ground for pond and water rail , marsh harrier , Goldammer , pond and marsh warbler .

The "Franzosenried" is also important because of its very species-rich invertebrate fauna. Rare species of beetles , marsh flies and other swamp specialists live here in populations that are sometimes strong. Amphibians find their habitat in the year-round water-bearing reed area and the slowly silting ponds . From a nature conservation point of view, the occurrence of the crested newt, a species that is strictly protected according to Annex II of the Habitats Directive, is considered to determine the value. However, it is assumed that the population is rather small.

A total of two reptile and eight amphibian species were detected in the entire protected area , including sand lizard , fire salamander , common toad , common frog , small pond frog , mountain , pond and thread newt . They are Red List species that are considered endangered or mentioned in warning lists.

According to the basic data collection, the dragonfly fauna is represented with a comparatively large number of species with 19 species. With Common winter damsel , Little Hawker , Falk dragonfly , Großem- and 's Small damselfly some endangered species of reed beds and pond are available.

Even before the designation, the Hessian Society for Ornithology and Nature Conservation (HGON) leased the approximately three hectare reed area in order to secure the parcel for nature and species protection. At the same time, the HGON had an ecological report drawn up, which confirmed the importance of the swamp for the application procedure for designating a nature reserve.

Forest vegetation

A species-rich forest dominated by beeches, oaks and hornbeams takes up most of the area.

In early spring, the innumerable hepatica flowers turn the forest floor blue.

A species-rich forest with beeches , oaks and hornbeams occupies most of the area on the hilltop and on the western and northern flanks . As in other parts of the region, part of the "Heegens" was presumably of great importance as forest pasture and hat . The predominant type of use of the forest areas is likely to have been traditional coppice forest management , the structures of which can still be seen in oak and hornbeam areas .

The forest floor has a rich herbaceous layer . Characteristic, rare and threatened plant species grow on the lime-rich sites. The liverwort, in particular, which was selected as the flower of the year 2013 to draw attention to the endangerment of this species, occurs everywhere and thrives in large numbers. Columbine , red and white forest bird , fly ragwort , stately orchid and purple orchid , large two-leaf , bird nestwort , brown-red stendellum , white brown fish and greenish forest hyacinth are other floristic treasures of the reserve.

The stock dove , gray and black woodpecker are native to the forests of the "Heegen" . The bird-rich woods at the foot of the slope are hunting grounds for the sparrowhawk and breeding ground for the red-backed shrike .

Open land

Abandoned shell limestone quarry in the eastern area.

The meadow areas of the "Heegen" are located in the area of ​​the southern slope. The often small plots were previously used as extensive grassland or for growing fruit. This formed a cultural landscape rich in borders, the remains of which are still present today. They have not been used regularly for years, which resulted in a lot of bushes being overgrown. The grasslands in this area are assigned to the mesobromione association in terms of plant sociology . It is assumed that they emerged predominantly through succession from the "gentian-schillergrass lawn", the regionally most widespread type of grassland on nutrient-poor, often stony limestone soils. Regularly occurring characteristic species are comb-smoked eye , stemless scabbard thistle , golden thistle, scabiosa knapweed , upright bristle , spring cinquefoil and small meadow button . It is considered problematic that bushes such as the red dogwood and the blackthorn are increasingly spreading. They are species that can regenerate and reproduce vegetatively through stick rashes.

A large number of butterflies use the close spatial juxtaposition of grassland and woody vegetation and the supply of flowers that are available throughout the entire vegetation period. The mosaic of different usage structures has contributed significantly to the development of an important butterfly community . With more than fifty known butterfly and ram species , the nature reserve occupies a leading position in the district. Although relatively undemanding butterfly species dominate in large parts, the "Heegen" also houses a population of the FFH Appendix II species "Golden Pied Butterfly". Due to the general decline and the few remaining occurrences of this rare butterfly species in Hesse, this is considered significant.

With Dark skipper , comma butterfly , Mattscheckigem Brown Skipper , Golden Eight , mustard white butterfly , spring fritillary , Satyrium Spini , Large Blue , Silver Green Bluebird , silver-studded blue , Schwefelvögelchen , 's Small Kingfisher , greatness and fiery fritillary , Speedwell Fritillary , thyme , Esparsette and small five-spotted rams are species that are endangered or endangered according to the “ Red Lists ” of Germany and Hesse.

Development goals

The primary goal for the marshland is the protection of the sun-drenched, herb-rich still waters as central habitat complexes of the crested newts. Since fish eat the spawn, further ponds should become suitable reproductive waters by removing the fish population.

Securing sufficiently high water resources, preventing eutrophication (enrichment of nutrients ) and the gradual conversion of poplar cultures into a site-appropriate black alder - ash forest are the most pressing tasks in this nature reserve.

The guiding principle for the forest areas of the "Heegen" is the preservation of the near-natural and structurally rich stands, in which typical tree species are present in all stages of development and age. The occurrence of dead wood and cave trees must be increased again in order to offer breeding and resting places for the diversity of animal and plant species.

The open land character of the semi-arid grasslands should also be preserved in the future through de-bushing measures and extensive grazing with sheep. The flowery fringes are also dependent on continuous maintenance in order to offer attractive refuges for insects, birds and small organisms . The aim of promoting populations of pigeon scabiosis and broad-leaved thyme , the forage plants for the “golden piebald butterfly” and “thyme antblue”, is to ensure stable populations of the strictly protected butterfly species. The species spectrum of butterflies and other animal species should also benefit from a higher structural diversity.

Tourist development

The top of the "Heegen" offers striking vantage points that can be reached on forest and farm roads.

literature

• Lothar and Sieglinde Nitsche, Marcus Schmidt: Nature reserves in Hessen, protect-experience-maintain. Volume 3, Werra-Meißner district and Hersfeld-Rotenburg district . cognitio Verlag, Niedenstein 2005, ISBN 3-932583-13-2 .
• Bioplan Marburg on behalf of the Upper Nature Conservation Authority of the Kassel Regional Council: Basic data acquisition for monitoring and management for the FFH area "Ermschwerder Heegen", November 2004, amended and supplemented in August 2005 .

Web links

Commons : Ermschwerder Heegen  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d e} Bioplan Marburg: Basic data collection for monitoring and management for the FFH area "Ermschwerder Heegen". Marburg, November 2004. Modified and supplemented in August 2005.
2. ↑ Classification of natural areas according to Otto Klausing in the Hessen Environmental Atlas at atlas.umwelt.hessen.de ; accessed on November 14, 2019.
3. ↑ ^{a b c} Lothar and Sieglinde Nitsche, Marcus Schmidt: Nature reserves in Hessen, Volume 3 . Pp. 117 and 118.
4. ↑ The ordinance came into force on the day after its publication in the State Gazette for the State of Hesse on December 23, 1985.
5. ↑ Quoted from the ordinance on the “Ermschwerder Heegen” nature reserve of December 6, 1985 in the State Gazette for the State of Hesse, issue 51/1985 of December 23, 1985, p. 2360 f.
6. ^ "Ermschwerder Heegen" nature reserve in the world database on protected areas; accessed on November 14, 2019.
7. ↑ List of habitats occurring in Germany in Appendix I of the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive; accessed on November 14, 2019.
8. ↑ List of species occurring in Germany in Appendix II of the Fauna Flora Habitat Directive; accessed on November 14, 2019.
9. ^ Ordinance on the Natura 2000 areas in Hesse of January 16, 2008, in the Law and Ordinance Gazette for the State of Hesse, Part I, No. 4, of March 7, 2008.
10. ↑ Profile of FFH area 4624-301 “Ermschwerder Heegen” on the website of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN); accessed on November 14, 2019.
11. ↑ Quotation from the standard data sheet for special protected areas, which was created in May 1998 by the Kassel Regional Council and updated in January 2015.
12. ↑ ^{a b} Albrecht Ensgraber: Hesse's new nature reserves in birds and the environment , magazine for ornithology and nature conservation in Hessen, volume 5, issue 1, p. 11 f. Wiesbaden, April 1988.
13. ↑ Red List of Reptiles and Amphibians in Hesse; accessed on November 14, 2019.
14. ↑ Jörg and Wolfram Brauneis, Götz Lätsch: Nature conservation in the Werraaue of the Werra-Meißner district in birds and the environment , magazine for ornithology and nature conservation in Hessen, volume 3, issue 3, p. 143 f. Wiesbaden, November 1984.
15. ↑ Conservation objectives of the habitat types in accordance with Annex I of the Habitats Directive in "Ermschwerder Heegen"; accessed on November 14, 2019.