SMART-Förderung

English summery

NatuREshaping Landscape - Support of landscape functions in former mining sites

Within the scope of re-cultivation of former mining areas in the area of central Germany, new landscapes will be created, which are planned to be used in the fields nature and landscape, forestry and recreation. The re-utilization of former fallow land cannot just be directed sufficiently by only defining the functional fields despite concrete municipal planning and projects. This applies especially to former mining areas in the surrounding area of the city that are exposed to a higher exploitation in the months of summer and are supposed to satisfy recreational functions as well as functions in the fields nature and landscape. The aforementioned functions gain importance since after the mining operation has stopped in the opencast mines, the almost uninfluenced natural development has created a mosaic of new habitats. Due to their special local conditions the growing habitats are characterized by many specific features that confer a special quality to the areas. In the area of conflict between exploitation and an adequate development of nature and landscape, searching for specific strategies for operation along with the mobilisation of local players is of more and more importance.

The aim of the SMART-project is to realise the adapted measures in the area affected by the former open cast mine of Espenhain that meet the different functional demands on the new landscapes.

The following goals for the realisation of the project mentioned above are:

1. Protection of the southern shore against exploitation by people looking for recreation,
2. Conservation of the biotope in areas of priority for nature and landscape by extensive cultivation,
3. Development of regional products from former mining areas,
4. Promotion of unique features of landscape.

Measures:

1. Creation of an area pool for extensive operation measures with bison,
2. Preparation and realisation of an initial stocking,
3. Construction of a feeding place (roofed hayracks/ food niches...),
4. Construction of observation and information points for visitors.

Preparatory work:

1. The conceptual preparatory work is finished,
2. Conversation with environmental organisations and regional institutions show that they approve of the measures,
3. Due to the measures for extensive cultivation installed in 2006, an effective protection of the landside areas for succession is possible,
4. a private enterprise is partner for cooperation as operator of the area and as owner of the animals. It meets all the legal dispositions for the keeping of the bison.

Mit freundlicher Unterstützung von: