Envision a landscape transformed by industry. The Ausstichgelände Röntgental tells a story of nature reclaiming a space. This area is a testament to Berlin’s evolving landscape. It highlights the interplay between human activity and ecological resilience.
The Ausstichgelände Röntgental is a nature reserve. It lies in the Panketal municipality near Berlin. This 24.84-hectare area borders Berlin-Buch. The Ausstichgelände Röntgental is near the Röntgental S-Bahn station.
In the late 19th century, Berlin expanded its S-Bahn network. The Berlin-Stettin railway needed elevation. This required vast amounts of earth for dam construction. From 1892 to 1895, workers extracted sand here. This created an artificial depression.
The abandoned excavation site became a unique habitat. The area revealed itself as ideal for observing natural development. Plants and animals gradually colonized the barren landscape. By the turn of the century, rare species appeared. These species were previously unseen in the region.
Karl Osterwald, a professor, meticulously documented this botanical resurgence. From the 1890s, he studied the plant life. He published his findings starting in 1897. Osterwald identified over 800 plant species by the 1920s. This total included 190 moss and 152 fungi species. Notable plants included variegated horsetail and clubmoss. Sundew and cotton grass also thrived in the damp environment.
To protect this unique ecosystem, the area gained protected status in 1940. The Ausstichgelände Röntgental became a nature reserve. This designation allowed for ongoing scientific observation.
Over time, the landscape changed. A “normal state” emerged, where the habitat saw increasing vegetation. Some rare plants disappeared due to shrub encroachment. In 1972, the authorities revoked the nature reserve status.
However, the area remained a significant wetland. Alder forests and reedbeds developed. These areas provided habitats for amphibians and birds. This warranted renewed protection. In 1986, the district council of Bernau reinstated the area’s protected status.
Despite its ecological importance, the Ausstichgelände Röntgental had a complex past. A railway police armory and shooting range existed nearby. Later, a high-security facility was built. This was the Central Reception Center of the GDR. It was shielded by a high corrugated iron fence. The Stasi used the armory. A hidden shooting range replaced the old one.
After the Berlin Wall fell, citizens inspected the area in December 1989. Their efforts transformed the reception center. It became a retirement home. Surrounding buildings now house workshops for people with disabilities. Environmentalists prevented commercial reuse of the armory. In May 1990, they established the Niederbarnim Nature Conservation Station. The district assembly confirmed the Ausstichgelände Röntgental as a nature reserve.
Today, the Ausstichgelände Röntgental is a haven for amphibians. Grass frogs, moor frogs, and toads thrive here. Smooth and crested newts also inhabit the area. One can also find ringed snakes and slowworms.
Diverse birdlife populates the area. Green and black woodpeckers are common. Owls, hawks, and orioles also reside here. Approximately 50 of the 85 identified bird species breed here. Bats are also abundant. The northern section is increasingly important for waterfowl.
As you stand here in the Ausstichgelände Röntgental, remember its dynamic history. This area was shaped by industry, claimed by nature, and protected by dedicated individuals. It remains a vital sanctuary for local flora and fauna. The Ausstichgelände Röntgental is a place to appreciate the resilience of nature.