Curious about a place where nature reclaims industry? Here at the Alte Lehmgrube bei Schmira we find just that. This protected landscape is a testament to nature’s resilience.
The Alte Lehmgrube bei Schmira, designated in 1999, spans 4.4 hectares. Imagine this area south of Schmira bustling with activity. Until the 1960s, workers extracted clay and loam. Afterward, the site became a construction rubble and waste dump.
But the story doesn’t end there. After 1990, a transformation began. The Alte Lehmgrube bei Schmira underwent remediation and biotope development. Workers cleared away the waste and rubble. They fenced the area and created several small bodies of water. The existing animal and plant life was documented.
Since then, nature has largely been left to its own devices. This process is called succession. Open land areas, common in the 1990s, are gradually giving way. Naturally emerging trees and shrubs take their place. The created bodies of water have largely disappeared again.
The animal and plant life in the Alte Lehmgrube bei Schmira is also changing. Over time, forest and shrub dwelling species will dominate. This makes the area important for the biotope network in western Erfurt. Even now, 232 plant species benefit from its isolated location. Forty-nine bird and 272 insect species also thrive here in the fields.
Think of the Alte Lehmgrube bei Schmira as an island. It is a haven for biodiversity surrounded by agricultural land. The cachemobile can be parked in Schmira or at the edge of the field. The paths are not made for a simple cachemobile.
The Alte Lehmgrube bei Schmira shows us how landscapes can change. From industrial use to waste disposal and now a natural habitat. It is a place where you can witness the power of nature. A true story of renewal.