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Natural disaster in Halle-Hesingen: heathland is in danger of disappearing!
Heath areas in Halle-Hesingen are dying. Nature conservation measures to regenerate the common heather are being planned.
Natural disaster in Halle-Hesingen: heathland is in danger of disappearing!
In the picturesque region of the Lüneburg Heath and parts of the county of Bentheim, where the heath landscapes shine in August and September, the view of nature is currently clouding over. In the tumulus heath in Halle-Hesingen, numerous heather plants have died, which is triggering alarm in the district's nature conservation area. The sight shows fewer flowering plants than usual and is raising concerns among environmentalists. Where the blooming colors of the common heather used to be, a worrying picture can now be seen. Grafschaft Bentheim reports that the exact causes of the plants dying are unclear. Beetle infestations or the heat stress of recent years may be responsible.
In order to counteract this threatening development, Manuela Monzka, the district's head of nature conservation, has announced a comprehensive analysis in collaboration with the Ecological Station Grafschaft Bentheim-Emsland Süd. The aim of this cooperation is to initiate effective measures to regenerate the community of common heather and other plants in the 20 hectare nature reserve. A good hand is required here, as typical care will involve removing the dead to make room for new plants. Grazing with sheep and goats has proven particularly successful, as they not only look after the areas but also help maintain diversity.
The meaning of the heath
Heaths are one of the oldest cultural landscapes in northwestern Europe and are characterized by nutrient-poor soils and high summer rainfall. Academia highlights that this decline in recent decades has led to a dramatic reduction in the areas in which heaths can be found today. The main reasons for this are changes in land use and nutrient inputs from agricultural land. In most EU countries, heaths are legally protected, not only because they provide an irreplaceable habitat for a variety of specialized plant and animal species, but also because of their recreational value for the population.
However, there is hope. Common heather is resilient and can regenerate itself through its seed stocks in the soil, although this can take several years. However, it remains to be seen whether the measures that are now being taken will take effect quickly enough to restore the image of the hilly landscape.