Evers ReForest

The Dunes at Kattbeck

Around eight hectares of the 152 ha flora-fauna habitat area (FFH-area) “the Kattbek Dunes” have been made available to the conservation group “Naturschutzverein Altenkattbek e.V.” for active preservation. The soil composition of the FFH-area is distinguished by large sandar areas of Weichselian glaciation. In the post-Ice Age, a dune moorland landscape with forests on acidic soils and smaller bogs developed in flat depressions.

Purple moor-grass, pubescent birch, various bog and sand heath communities as well as forest areas with oak constitute the main part of the vegetation. The dunes are of national importance as a karg habitat of low fertility and are worthy of preservation because of the existence of wet heath and moor matgrass. The use of peat on the high-moor bogs was abandoned quite some time ago, but a few peat-cutting sites can still be found with abrupt shear edges in which water collects seasonally.

The aim of designating an area as an FFH-area is to preserve and restore the original vegetation. Most of the area is classified as “damaged high-moor” habitat. “Sand heaths with calluna (heather) and genista (broom)”, “moor matgrass with a rich animal and plant life” and “oak forests on acidic soil”. To preserve these habitats, the area must be protected from colonization by shrubs, above all from types of trees and shrubs not native to the area, such as the late-blooming black cherry (Prunus serotina), and from encroachment by photophilic species.

Involvement of Evers-ReForest

The aim is first to preserve the various habitats in this area also in order to be able to support a rich animal and plant life (biodiversity). The heath and moor matgrass are being crowded out by the predominant purple moor-grass. This grass develops hummocks and thereby raises the nutrient content with large amounts of decaying plant material. At the same time, the entire area is threatened by invasive shrubs encroaching on the habitat. Due to shrubs and trees in the dunes, the low-growing plants receive too much shade, and this is responsible for introducing even higher plants. In order to be able to preserve the heath and moor matgrass, purple moor-grass and young trees must be actively cleared. Evers-ReForest and the Evers-Frank Group actively support the Naturschutzverein Altenkattbek e.V. conservation efforts. Efforts include the systematic removal of purple moor-grass. Under the direction of biological experts, various manual and technical methods are tested to create the necessary basis for the rapid spread of the original heath vegetation.

In the long term, the grazing of sheep must be considered to preserve the heather.

Another threat to the natural vegetation is the North American black cherry (Prunus serotina). It was introduced to Europe in the 1950’s, is fast-growing and spreads rapidly. In order to control this species effectively, young growth must regularly be cleared over a period of several years and all potential mother trees rem

Definition Biodiversity

Biodiversity can be interpreted to mean the natural diversity of life; however, the term can be applied to different levels. It can refer to both the genetic diversity within a population, as well as the degree of species diversity within a particular habitat.

Furthermore, it also in a general context describes the entire flora and fauna on Earth, particularly by the public and the media when it comes to the threats to animal and plant life by humans or climate change (whether due to human influence or long-term natural climate changes).

The Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Energy (BMU) released the following regulations on the subject of biodiversity in October 2010. The specific targets of the national strategy on biological diversity apply immediately and should be reached by 2010, 2015, 2020 – depending on the target – or – as in one case – by 2050.

By 2020, the percentage of forests allowed to develop naturally is to be raised from its current level of 1% to five %. Background: The animals, plants, and forest mushrooms on the German government’s Red List are primarily those that depend on natural processes in forests.

Other targets to be reached by 2020 include:

• The situation of most species on the Red List should improve at least one level on the list of endangered species. For example, an animal that is currently rated as “threatened by extinction” should then only be considered “endangered”.
• Peatland, forests and other rural habitats should be able to capture ten percent more carbon dioxide (CO2) than they do today. For this purpose, they are restored, for example by allowing water that has been removed from moors to return (regeneration).
• Our cities and settlements should include as many green spaces as possible within walking distance of all residents.