Do you hear the whispers of wind rustling through reeds? Those whispers carry tales of Berlin’s Fließwiese Ruhleben. This is no ordinary meadow. It’s a unique habitat steeped in history.
Fließwiese Ruhleben is a valuable piece of nature. It has been a protected area since 1959. It forms part of the Natura 2000 network. This signifies its European importance for wildlife.
Imagine this: Glacial meltwaters carved this long stretch during the Weichsel Ice Age. Over time a lake transformed into a unique environment here at Fließwiese Ruhleben. This is a type of habitat called a Verlandungsmoor. It’s a shallow moor formed by the natural succession of a body of water.
For centuries, the waters here drained. The water flowed into the Elsgraben. This helped protect Spandau from floods. But in 1936, that drainage stopped. Building the Waldbühne changed the landscape. Earthworks interrupted the natural flow. Now Fließwiese Ruhleben is an enclosed area.
What makes Fließwiese Ruhleben special? It is the diverse plant and animal life. The fluctuating water levels have shaped the habitat. These varying water levels continue to change the vegetation.
Walk around and observe the plants. The central area is full of reeds and cattails. Black alder trees surround this space. In the southern part is a forest of bird cherries and ash trees. These trees are specially protected.
Fließwiese Ruhleben is teeming with animals. It is home to seven species of amphibians. The northern crested newt thrives here. This newt is strictly protected. Its presence led to the area being designated as a Natura 2000 site.
Listen closely. You might hear the croaking of the garlic toad. These toads dig into the sandy hills for shelter. The moor frog also calls Fließwiese Ruhleben home.
Even the insects are special here. The large moor dragonfly lives here. Gray geese nest in the Fließwiese Ruhleben. Ornithologists once counted four pairs of water rails. Cranes often stop here during migration.
Fließwiese Ruhleben faces many challenges. These challenges include maintaining the water levels. Conservation efforts aim to keep the area open. This means preventing trees from taking over.
The city of Berlin recognizes the importance of this habitat. They aim to protect and expand these unique areas. Fließwiese Ruhleben is a reminder of Berlin’s natural history. It is a place where nature and history intertwine. Take a moment to appreciate this special place.