Can you hear that? It is the whisper of the Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald. This natural treasure is a vital part of Leipzig’s identity. The Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald forms a green band. It stretches from south to northwest through Leipzig. This band varies in width. It is a unique natural refuge. It exists so close to urban areas.
The Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald is part of a larger nature area. This area covers about 5900 hectares. It stretches from Zwenkau to the mouth of the White Elster. This is where it joins the Saale. About 3000 hectares are within Leipzig itself. The width of the Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald varies. It ranges from 3 to 4 kilometers. The band is only interrupted near the city center.
This area boasts an outstanding value. It has been recognized since 1922. Many overlapping protected areas exist here. They include landscape protection areas. They also include Flora-Fauna-Habitat areas and European bird sanctuaries. Several nature reserves are also part of it. These include the Luppeaue and the Burgaue. Also, the Elster-Pleiße-Auwald itself is a nature reserve.
The Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald teems with life. There are 1000 species of fungi. There are 750 species of higher plants. Mammals thrive here. Amphibians and reptiles find refuge here. Fish swim in its waters. Birds nest in its trees. Dragonflies flit through the air. Many beetles live in the wood. Butterflies flutter among the trees. Many of these species are endangered.
The southern part of the Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald faced challenges. Brown coal mining impacted the area. Open-pit mines altered the landscape. Groundwater levels dropped. The northern Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald remains more intact. It presents a more cohesive landscape.
The Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald began to take shape long ago. Around 100,000 years ago, during the Weichsel Ice Age, gravel and sand were deposited. These deposits settled in valleys formed by the Saale and Mulde rivers. Around 7500 years ago, the landscape changed again. Holocene floodplain loams were deposited. This happened because people cleared land for settlements.
The Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald provided valuable resources for early settlements. It offered clay for building. People created fish ponds and practiced beekeeping. Forestry flourished. The Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald also acted as a barrier. It made roads and paths difficult to build across the swampy lowlands. Since the 18th century, the area has become a place for recreation. Flood control measures began in the 19th century. These regulations disrupted natural flooding. Sediment deposition was also impacted. Some areas began to dry out.
After 1990, restoration efforts began. These efforts focused on changing the forest. Non-native trees were removed. Native floodplain trees were planted. These included pedunculate oaks, ashes, sycamore maples, and field elms. Targeted rewetting measures were also implemented.
The northern Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald is a diverse area. It features a branching network of waterways. The White Elster, Old Luppe and New Luppe are key features. Only two roads cut through it. The Burgaue nature reserve offers a glimpse into the past. It shows what the cultural landscape once looked like. The traditional coppice forest management has been revived here since 1998. The University of Leipzig and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research study forest ecology near the Kilometerweg. They focus on tree crowns. They have been working together since 2001. They use a crane for their research.
So, as we stand here, remember the long and rich story of the Elster- und Pleiße-Auewald. It is a story of nature and people. It is a story of preservation and change.