“An island unclaimed by time.” That’s how some describe Koos. It is the largest of several small islands. These islands rest in the Bay of Greifswald in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
Koos spans 772 hectares. Its highest point barely clears three meters above sea level. This makes it a unique landscape to explore.
The island is a protected natural reserve. Access is restricted to preserve its unique environment. Kooser Bucht and Kooser See surround Koos. These bays are linked by a narrow strait called Beek. They create a natural barrier.
In 1241, Prince Barnuta of Rügen granted Koos to Eldena Abbey. At that time, Koos was known as “Chosten”. Later, the Hanseatic town of Greifswald took possession. Greifswald lies a few kilometers to the south.
There are suggestions of a medieval burgh on Koos. Yet, no one has verified them. A 17th-century Dutch settlement once existed. However, it vanished in the 18th century. Today, the nearby town of Greifswald administers Koos.
The reserve “Insel Koos, Kooser See und Wampener Riff” gained protection in 1990. It covers 1560 hectares. It aims to preserve a coastal floodplain. It also aims to protect a shallow water area of the southern Greifswalder Bodden.
Nina Seifert, an expert in ornithology and landscape ecology, supervises the site. She works for the Michael Succow Foundation in Greifswald. Since the removal of a dyke, the landscape has transformed. What was once monotonous farmland now thrives. Reeds, redds, and salt grasslands create a diverse mosaic.
Much of the protected area includes a special type of moor. It is a coastal flood moor. This moor can only be found in this form on the Baltic Sea coast.
Though access to Koos is limited, its importance is clear. It serves as a vital sanctuary. Its unique coastal flood moor and diverse birdlife contribute to the region’s ecological richness. Koos remains a testament to nature’s resilience. It also stands as a reminder of the evolving interplay. It shows the interplay between human history and the natural world.