A sprawling expanse of sand greets you. This is Mainzer Sand Teil II a nature reserve. It’s a significant part of the larger Rhine-Hessian Kalkflugsand area. This area is important for Central European biodiversity.
Mainzer Sand Teil II covers around 115.85 hectares. It’s nestled in Mainz and Mainz-Bingen. The area includes parts of Mombach and Gonsenheim. It extends to Budenheim.
The reserve’s boundary is fascinating. It starts near Mainz-Mombach. It then follows various roads and field boundaries. The A 643 highway cuts through it. The route description is quite intricate. It involves many field numbers and local roads.
Within Mainzer Sand Teil II lies a variety of habitats. These include open areas dunes and heathland. You will also find different types of grasslands and scattered fruit orchards. There is also old and dead wood. This diversity supports rare plants and animals. Many are endangered. The reserve protects them.
This unique landscape wasn’t always protected. Military use impacted the area. French Prussian and Austrian troops used it for training. Later the Wehrmacht and Allied forces also used it. Parts are still used by US troops today.
This use prevented the natural expansion of the nearby Lennebergwald. This forest is also a nature reserve. It shares some of Mainzer Sand Teil II’s flora and fauna. The construction of the A 643 further divided the area. This highway split the sand into two large sections.
Despite past disturbances Mainzer Sand Teil II thrives. It’s a testament to the resilience of nature. The careful management and protection efforts have been successful. This area has been expanded. The addition of Mombacher Oberfeld and former military areas helped. The reserve’s future is bright. It provides a vital habitat for rare and precious species. Mainzer Sand Teil II offers visitors a unique glimpse of a special ecosystem. This ecosystem is rare not only in Germany but in all of Europe. It represents an important natural heritage.