Natura 2000

Lange-Damm-Wiesen und Unteres Annatal bei Strausberg is a nature reserve (Naturschutzgebiet (NSG)) and a Natura 2000 site (DE3449301) covering an area of 235 ha in the Brandenburg state of Germany, not far east of Berlin. It is part of the larger area (1072 ha) "Herrensee, Lange-Damm-Wiesen and Barnimhänge" together with "Herrensee, Lange-Damm-Wiesen und Barnimhänge", which were originally registered separately and later merged. 

The area is a mixture of dry grassland, wet meadows and diverse forest communities. Unlike most areas in the state being dry, Lange Dammwiesen has the advantage of having a lot of groundwater which ensures the wetness of the area throughout the year.

It is an important site for a number of habitats listed in the Directive, including xeric sand calcareous grasslands (6120), Sub-Pannonic steppe grasslands (6240), alkaline fens (7230) and olinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) (6410), several oak habitats (9160, 9170, 9190) and alluvial forests with European alder and ash (91E0). It provides a habitat for over 120 bird species, including the rare common snipe (Gallinago gallinago), and 800 plant species out of which 11 orchid species (rare Dactylorhiza majalis) and a number of sedges, including the rare broad-leaved cotton grass (Eriophorum latifolium). 

The management of the site has been done by one person for the last 30 years – Gerd Haase from NABU Strausberg-Märkische Schweiz, who is now committed to transferring his enormous knowledge about the area to the two managers who will inherit his duties – Hannah Schafft and Sabrina Lange. The area has no management plan; the measures have been adapted based on Mr Haases’s knowledge and subsequent monitoring of the conditions on the ground. This area is a great example of how crucial taxonomic knowledge is for monitoring, as well as how good baseline data can help inform management decisions. Data about the site dates back to the 1830s, with a lot of information coming from complete lists of species found through botanical research done during the 20th century.   

Due to the wet soil that cannot tolerate heavy machinery, the open meadows of Lange Dammwiesen have been manually mowed over many years. In addition to mowing and bush clearing, an open-pasture grazing system has been implemented in some areas, with Heck cattle, Konik ponies, water buffalos, sheep and goats grazing freely. This resulted in the improvement of the conditions of the area, with a number of species thought to be lost in the area being rediscovered such as the dioecious sedge (Carex dioica), lesser tussock sedge (Carex diandra) and the tufted milkwort (Polygala comosa). In addition, this type of grazing provides an opportunity for species that are weaker competitors (like orchids) to grow and for insect communities to thrive. Some meadows with abundant orchid communities are fenced to protect them from grazing.

The animals also help with the eradication of invasive alien species by grazing on some; but not all. For example, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) has to be manually eradicated since cattle don’t eat it which can sometimes be challenging due to its 4m long roots.

 

 

 

Credit: NABU / Lars Röhling

Credit: NABU / Lars Röhling

Credit: NABU / Lars Röhling