Whispering reeds secrets to the wind. This is the Teufelsseemoor. A place of mystery and intrigue in the heart of Berlin Kopnick.
The Teufelsseemoor or Devil’s Moor is a 6.45 hectare nature reserve. It’s also a Natura 2000 area. Formed by retreating glaciers during the last ice age it’s a kettle bog. This means it has no natural outflow. Over centuries thick layers of peat formed. Some layers are up to 13 meters deep. The bog started as a fen fed by groundwater. As plants died the groundwater connection was lost. This created a raised bog area. Nutrient-poor rainwater led to an oligotrophic intermediate bog.
After World War II around 8000 tons of rubble were dumped here. This extended the run-off of a toboggan run into the Teufelssee. Thankfully in 2003 this waste was removed. The cleanup cost 371000 euros.
Today the Teufelsseemoor is a rich ecosystem. The Teufelssee a former dead-ice hole is at its heart. A boardwalk lets visitors explore. This 300-meter-long path replaced a 25-year-old decaying structure. The new boardwalk cost 900000 euros. Its construction was delayed by technical problems. Workers had to remove the rubble used to anchor the old walkway. Then 240 larch wood piles were driven eight meters deep.
The Teufelsseemoor faces challenges. Lowering groundwater levels cause water shortages. This leads to more pines and birches. These trees threaten to fill the bog. To fight back the Berliner Forsten removed many trees in 2014/15. This increased sunlight helping light-loving plants like sundew.
The area teems with life. Bitterlings live in the Teufelssee. Northern crested newts moor frogs and European fire-bellied toads live along the banks. The large red damselfly is also present. The grass snake and a burrowing beetle are protected species. A nature trail helps visitors learn more about this fascinating place.
So take a moment to absorb the quiet beauty. Imagine the glaciers that shaped this land. Then reflect on the surprising history of the Teufelsseemoor. Remember the struggles to save this unique habitat. This tranquil space reminds us of Berlin’s natural heritage. It shows nature’s resilience even within a bustling city.