Picture a haven for rare species. The NSG Flittarder Rheinaue in Cologne. It is more than just a pretty landscape. This is a story of natural resilience and human stewardship.
The NSG Flittarder Rheinaue lies north of Cologne. It sits between Flittard and Stammheim. This nature reserve encompasses the Rhine’s open floodplain. It stretches from the levee to the river’s center.
Geologically, this area mirrors much of Cologne. Deposits from the last Ice Age define it. Around 11700 years ago the Rhine deposited extensive layers of sand and gravel. Melting ice created a Rhine several kilometers wide.
The Rhine shaped life in Flittard and Stammheim. Flooding caused extensive damage. Flittard means flowing earth and recalls this past. The levee construction from 1894 to 1895 finally stopped this threat.
Today the Rhine is between 290 and 420 meters wide here. It serves as a federal waterway. Groynes help navigation. They deepen the channel and protect the banks. They also limit the natural flow of the adjacent floodplain.
The Flittarder Rheinaue gained its current size in 1991. Cologne’s landscape plan established it as a nature reserve then. Before that a protective order existed from 1986. This order aimed for conservation. It initially covered only the northern third of today’s area.
The NSG Flittarder Rheinaue spans about 3.3 kilometers north to south. It is almost 700 meters at its widest. This results in an area of about 180 hectares.
Key elements of the protected area include grasslands and various deciduous trees. A continuous riparian forest also runs along the Rhine. The Rhine itself and an oxbow lake to the north also form part of it.
Despite its use as a waterway, the Rhine holds high conservation value. Areas within the groynes have slower currents. These quieter waters serve as breeding grounds for fish. The bare or grassy areas offer habitats for rare animal species. A continuous strip of trees lines the area too. It resembles a typical silver willow riparian forest.
A 1000-meter-long oxbow lake sits in the north. It is up to 50 meters wide. This is not a true oxbow lake. It is a flood channel formed by past floods. This channel remains filled with water. It supports a diverse fish population.
Farmland dominated here until the mid-20th century. Only areas near the flood channel were grassland. Forests were also less common. Aerial photos from 1951 show this landscape’s evolution. Over time, people planted forest plots. The riparian forest expanded. This occurred via planting and natural growth.
Today almost all open areas are grassland. Conservation efforts and management plans promoted this. This 70-year transformation reflects a shift. It goes from agriculture to conservation. It now supports water protection and recreation.
Without human influence, the area would differ. A hardwood floodplain with oak-elm forests would exist. Silver willow forests would front the Rhine. Water levels and flooding duration would define these zones. Riverbanks would feature reeds and gravel. This natural state relies on the Rhine’s dynamic flow. This creates new channels and oxbow lakes.
The Flittarder Rheinaue is part of the Rhine’s floodplain. Protecting native species and habitats was a key goal. The aim is to restore, maintain, and improve these habitats. This ensures the survival of rare species near Cologne and Leverkusen.
The area features hardwood and softwood floodplains. Rhine meadows replace natural floodplains. Pools and oxbow lakes also exist. The Rhine connects these habitats. It serves as a flyway and a habitat for fish.
Two management plans guide the NSG’s development. The plans define eight key bird species. The yellow warbler prefers rich woodland edges. The teal favors shallow inland waters.
The flood channel is now largely cut off from the Rhine. Occasional floods still connect them. Despite this separation, diverse fish thrive here. Studies in 2015 found typical floodplain species.
Past efforts have enhanced the NSG. A poplar forest became a native hardwood forest. Riparian forests expanded. Two orchards were planted. Farmers converted 12.5 hectares from fields to grassland.
Access to the NSG is from the east. The levee path leads into the area. Information boards detail the area’s significance and trails. Designated paths guide visitors. This minimizes disturbance and protects habitats.
The Flittarder Rheinaue is scenic and close to the Rhine. Its accessibility to Cologne and Leverkusen makes it popular. Visitors must stay on marked paths. Dogs must be leashed. Loud noise, littering, and fires are prohibited. Riverbanks are off-limits. Feeding waterfowl is not allowed. These rules protect sensitive species. Rare species have specific habitat needs. They cannot simply move elsewhere.
Enjoy the quiet recreation. Appreciate the diversity of the NSG Flittarder Rheinaue.