Königsforst nature reserve (Cologne)

	Königsforst nature reserve (Cologne) IUCN Category IV - Habitat / Species Management Area
	Water step at the entrance to the nature reserve in Rath / Heumar
location	Cologne , North Rhine-Westphalia , Germany
surface	9.57 km²
Identifier	K-020
WDPA ID	344706
Geographical location	50 ° 55 ' N , 7 ° 7' E Coordinates: 50 ° 55 '28 " N , 7 ° 7' 16" E
Setup date	2000
Framework plan	Landscape plan Cologne
administration	Lower landscape authority city of Cologne

The Königsforst nature reserve in the city of Cologne borders in the Königsforst to the west on the Rath / Heumar district , to the north on Lützerather Straße (L 358), to the east on the Königsforst nature reserve (Rhein-Berg) with the cities of Bergisch Gladbach and Rösrath and to the south on the federal motorway 3 ( A 3).

It is part of the Bergische Heideterrasse . The forest is an FFH and bird sanctuary . Due to the age, the closed nature of the forest landscape and the partly still natural streams with their accompanying brook alder forests, the royal forest is one of the core areas of a European forest biotope network.

Nature reserve

The nature reserve was established in 2000. The protection designation was made to preserve the forest communities and biotopes with the species spectrum typical for the natural deciduous forest communities, especially to secure a large contiguous forest area as a habitat of particular value for threatened animal and plant species and as an important groundwater recharge area. Further reasons for the establishment of the nature reserve were:

The natural history and geographical importance of the Königsforstes as a large, contiguous forest area,
Because of the rarity, special character and outstanding beauty of the near-natural forest areas and the transition areas to the building that are characterized by forest edges, floodplain vegetation and rural character,
Because of the special importance of the forest area for recreational use geared towards experiencing nature,
For the preservation and development of near-natural structures of the numerous flowing waters and sandy streams,
For the maintenance and watering of alder swamp and bog forests,
For the maintenance or near-natural development of the ponds and reservoirs,
For the maintenance, development and restoration of small locations such as springs and other biotopes.

FFH area

Stag beetle

Since 2000, the Natura 2000 area has been declared under the name Koenigsforst according to Directive 92/43 / EEC (Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive) with the area number DE-5008-302 . These consist of the diversity typical of the natural area with extensive mixed oak forests on sand alternating with acidic beech forests as well as a partially natural flowing water system with sand brooks, sometimes accompanied by beautiful brook alder forests. Particularly noteworthy are:

Erlen -, ash - and softwood - swamp forests (priority habitat)

Hainsimsen - beech forest

Old acidic oak forests on sandy plains with English oaks ( Quercus robur )

Pedunculate oak and hornbeam forest

Woodruff- beech forest

Particularly noteworthy among the wild animals are the bullhead and the brook lamprey. The reintroduction of stag beetle populations and habitats should then be promoted.

Bird sanctuary

Since 2004, the FFH area has also been designated as an EU bird sanctuary " Königsforst " under the area number DE 5008-401 to protect the habitats for the following wild bird species: