A whisper of history hangs in the air. We stand before the Kieshofer Moor.
This isn’t just any bog. This is the Kieshofer Moor a 30-hectare sanctuary nestled northwest of Greifswald. Established on March 3 1938 it’s a testament to nature’s resilience. For centuries this was a bustling hub of activity. The Kieshofer Moor began its life as a 10-meter-deep hole. This was created when glacial ice melted away at the end of the last ice age. A lake formed. Over thousands of years it filled with decaying vegetation. It became a kettle bog. Rain alone wasn’t enough to feed it completely. The yearly rainfall was less than 620 mm. Pure rain-fed bogs need more.
Peat extraction started in 1823. This drastically changed the landscape. Draining the bog lowered the water table. Trees began to encroach. A ditch still runs eastward towards the Greifswalder Bodden. The moor was becoming forested. Luckily the damage wasn’t irreversible. In 1988 a dam was built. The water levels rose. The unwanted trees were removed. The Kieshofer Moor began its slow recovery.
Today the Kieshofer Moor is thriving. It shows a nutrient gradient. The edges are rich in nutrients. There you’ll find sedges willows reeds and alder trees. The center has the original plants. These include cotton grass and sphagnum moss. Birds like the teal the sea eagle the crane the snipe and the wood sandpiper nest there. Frogs abound in spring. Twenty-one dragonfly species call the Kieshofer Moor home. The Kieshofer Moor demonstrates a successful moor restoration. The University of Greifswald’s Lamarck Circle maintains the area. They actively manage it for research and education.
The Kieshofer Moor’s story is one of loss and renewal. A stark reminder of human impact. But also a beacon of hope showing how nature can bounce back. It’s a living museum a testament to perseverance. A place where science and nature intertwine. A truly fascinating location. The Kieshofer Moor awaits your exploration.