Bärenstein nature reserve

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Bärenstein nature reserve

The Bärenstein nature reserve is a former quarry in the Aachen city region . It is located on the eastern outskirts of Stolberg and covers an area of ​​27 hectares . The Bärenstein lies at an altitude of 215 to 259 m above sea level. NN .

The NSG Bärenstein is one of 19 nature reserves belonging to the city of Stolberg (Rhld.).

geology

In the quarry, dolomite CaMg (CO 3 ) 2 is found as a thick-cheeked field formation between the limestone ranges . This was created by metasometic transformation of the limestone (calcium carbonate), a process known as dolomitization . Some of the calcium ions in the calcium carbonate CaCO 3 are substituted by magnesium ions. In the case of limestone, one speaks of primary ore in the case of dolomite.

The limestone formations deposited in Stolberg come from two different geological epochs. Devonian or Eifelkalke come from Devon , while the Kohlekalke in carbon were formed.

The mining of both the limestone and the dolomite required blasting due to the hardness of the material.

history

Industrial ruin in the Bärenstein nature reserve

Like the neighboring Schomet, the Bärenstein is a former limestone and dolomite quarry. It was operated by Fritz zur Mühlen , but was taken over by the Cologne-based corporation Westdeutsche Kalkwerke in 1911 . They emerged from the Stolberger Kalkwerke Fritz zur Mühlen GmbH , EA Alff , Hergenrather Kalksteinbrüche GmbH and other companies outside the town. In 1927 and 1928 the lime works in Büsbach , Eilendorf and Niederforstbach also joined. In 1936 the Westdeutsche Kalkwerke was renamed Westdeutsche Kalk- und Portlandzement AG .
The Bärenstein quarry, located southwest of the Binsfeldhammer lead smelter , was exploited throughout the period. Limestone and dolomite were primarily quarried here, and secondarily it was also used for dumping material containing heavy metals and building rubble.
In 1966 the Bärenstein quarry was abandoned and left to its own devices. Among other things, environmental protection and recultivation requirements imposed by the city of Stolberg on the company were responsible for this. In 2008 the still existing chimney in the nature reserve was blown up.

vegetation

Bush-lined meadow

The vegetation in the Bärenstein nature reserve is complex. In a study in 2004, the following distribution of vegetation types was determined:

30% of the area consists of dry grassland , 5% is moist and mesophilic grassland, 25% is covered with deciduous forest. The remaining 40% are classified as landfills, pits and industrial areas.

Typical of the Bärenstein nature reserve are two large areas with heavy metal lawns and the characteristic plant community that grows there.

Flora and fauna

Heavy metal lawn in the Bärenstein nature reserve

The bear stone is a refuge for the endemic calamine flora . A comparable biotope can be found, for example, in the Schlangenberg nature reserve . The most important plants for this type of vegetation grow on the calamine lawns and calamine heather of the biotope. This includes the calamine pocket herb , which already blooms from March / April , and the calamine spring miere Minuartia verna ssp , which belongs to the carnation family . hercynica . From April, the yellow calamine milk and the calamine carnation and the 20 to 50 cm high calamine pigeon goiter will be added, Silene vulgaris var. Humilis .

The fauna of the Bärenstein nature reserve stands out for its numerous crickets. These include the wart- biter Decticus verrucivorus , the two-colored bite- bug Metrioptera bicolor , the short-winged bite- bug Metrioptera brachyptera or the heather grasshopper Stenobothrus lineatus . In addition to these crickets, one can find the little dock butterfly Palaeochrysophanus hippothoe in the biotope .

In addition, the bear stone is a habitat for the grass snake Natrix natrix .

Dangers to the nature reserve

Despite the remoteness of the area, it is in danger. Amphibian collectors in particular pose a significant risk.

Another danger arises from the lack of environmental awareness. Attempts are made again and again to use the quarry to deposit debris.

The nature reserve is monitored by employees of the biological station in the district of Aachen eV.

Web links

Commons : Naturschutzgebiet Baerenstein  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 50 ° 45 ′ 26 ″  N , 6 ° 14 ′ 3 ″  E