Weberstein nature reserve

Weberstein nature reserve and surroundings

The Weberstein nature reserve with a size of 6.99 hectares is located west of Brilon . The area was designated as a nature reserve (NSG) by the Hochsauerlandkreis in 2008 with the landscape plan of the Brilon plateau . It is one of 31 nature reserves in Brilon, which belong to the group of limestone peaks with special prohibitions. Three partial areas of the NSG belong to the FFH area Kalkkuppen near Brilon (DE 4617-303). The NSG is surrounded by the nature reserve Grünlandverbund Aa .

Area description

The NSG is the Weberstein hilltop that runs from southeast to northwest . The ridge is reliefed by several peaks and hollows. At the top, rocks emerge openly. There are rock and grassland areas with trees in the NSG. The grassland also includes small, valuable and species-rich grasslands . The flattened parts of the slope in the NSG are taken up by fresh and fat pastures. This more intensive grassland turns into the poor grassland, partly in moderately species-rich poor pastures. In contrast to the rest of the NSG, the south-eastern part of the area is not grazed with cattle. The protected area is structured by hedges and bushes rich in thorn bushes.

Sheep fescue usually grows in the NSG and the herb layer is species-rich. Male orchid grows in the southern NSG foothills . In the southeast of the protected area, nutrient-rich oat meadows grow .

In the NSG brooding backed Shrike .

The specialist information system of the State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection in North Rhine-Westphalia states about the NSG: “On the Brilon plateau, which is used intensively for agriculture, the remnants of previously more widespread limestone grasslands are particularly worthy of protection. Rocky areas in the hilltop area as well as hedges and bushes rich in thorn bushes increase the structural diversity and value. "

Protection purpose

The species-rich rock and grassland areas in the NSG are to be protected. As with all nature reserves in Germany, the protection designation pointed out that the area became a nature reserve “because of the rarity, special character and beauty of the area”.

Prohibitions

In addition to the normal prohibitions in nature reserves, the Weberstein NSG, like the other 30 limestone peaks, has additional prohibitions. It is forbidden to fertilize, roll and drag the Brilon limestone tops. No more than two livestock units per hectare may graze at the same time. Furthermore, mowing is only permitted from July 1st of each year.