How do prezewalski’s horses and water buffalos help urban development in Leipzig?
The “Green Arc” is a chain of green spaces surrounding a large high-density housing area in the north-east of the city of Leipzig. Step by step, 120 hectares of former military training grounds and adjacent fallow land are turned into a modern recreation area
The core of the Green Arc is a unique grazing project, where currently 13 water buffalo and nine prezewalski’s horses conserve 35 hectares of open landscape and contribute to the recreational value of the area. The water buffalo and wild horses, which once belonged to the great native mammals in central Europe, stay outside all year round and also breed on site.
Since 2004, the grazing area has developed impressively: the regrowth of trees has largely been stopped by the constant grazing; invasive plants such as the Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) and dominating patches of Wood Small-reed grasses (Calamagrostis epigejos) have been displaced.
Grassland has successfully spread. Thanks to the water buffalo, ponds and swamp areas have developed very well. Rare animal species have found and repopulated suitable habitats in the area. Visitors can access and enjoy the model combination of nature conservation, recreation and farming on a walking trail encircling the grazing area.
For the inhabitants of the adjacent housing area, the wild animals have already become treasured components of their community. The grazing area is complemented by further park areas with opportunities for sports and recreation, private gardening plots, small woods, sheep grazing land and meadows with fruit trees. A promenade connects the different recreational areas and five distinctive viewing platforms. Altogether, the housing area has greatly benefited from the varied recreational offerings of the Green Arc. In the Green Arc wilderness meets the city.
Source: https://www.ufz.de/export/data/424/31635_18E_der_gruene_bogen_paunsdorf.pdf