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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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VESSERTAL-THÜRINGEN FOREST |
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| General Description |
This biosphere reserve is located in the Thuringian forest and is crossed by the famous German hiking trail ‘Rennsteig’. The biosphere reserve comprises mainly large contiguous mountain spruce forests. Furthermore, beech forests, block and rock forest communities, high-elevation raised bogs can be found. Upland, low-lying and valley meadows reflect the extensive use by people for dairy cow raising. The entire biosphere reserve has been designated as Natura 2000 site and European Bird Protection Area because of black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) and black stork (Ciconia nigra) populations. The biosphere reserve is only sparsely populated (4,200 people in the transition area in 2001). The area is also important for the protection of water resources. Activities in the transition area are agriculture, fish farming, commerce and retail, forestry, glass manufacture and crafts. Tourism is a major source of income in the region. Environmental education consists of guided tours, excursions, lectures, courses, special programs for children etc. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Temperate broadleaf forests or woodlands | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Mixed mountain forest dominated by Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus, sometimes mixed with Abies alba and Ulmus glabra; mountain clefts with Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides and Alnus glutinosa; mountainous hay meadow with Trisetum flavescens, Geranium sylvaticum, Arnica montana together with several orchid species such as Coeloglossum viride and Dactylorhiza sambucina; mountain springs and streams with Phalaris arundinacea, Mimulus guttatus, Veronica beccabunga etc.; wet meadows; riverine herb communities with Filipendula ulmaria, Petasites hybridus and Chaerophyllum hirsutum; low mountain range grassland as pasture or hay pasture | |||
| Location | 50°36'N; 10°48'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 17,098 | |||
| Core area(s) | 437 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | 2,024 | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | 14,637 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +420 to +982 | |||
| Year designated | 1979, extension 1986/1990 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Ministry for agriculture, nature conservation and environment of Thuringia | |||
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| Brief description |
Hydrology (water quality) Abiotic and biotic research and monitoring Vegetation mapping Animal populations Cultivation of Abies alba as gene conservation measure Vegetation-soil-land use interactions Ecosystem modelling and restoration Management research on conservation of biological diversity Study of succession processes Recreation and tourism Socio-economic research Mapping of the different zones of the biosphere reserve |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Abiotic factors, hydrology, monitoring/methodologies, soil. | |||
| Biodiversity | Biodiversity, conservation, fauna, genetic resources, methodologies, modelling, phytosociology/succession, plants, population genetics/population dynamics, restoration/rehabilitation/redevelopment, vegetation studies/plant cover. | |||
| Socio-economic | Recreation, social/socio-economic aspects, tourism. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | Land use/Land cover, management issues, mapping, planning and zoning measures/zonation. | |||
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| Contact address |
Johannes Tress Vessertal-Naturpark Thueringer Wald Waldstr. 1 98711 Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig Germany |
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| Telephone | (49.36782) 6660 | |||
| Fax | (49.36782) 666 29 | |||
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poststelle.vessertal@br-np.thueringen.de |
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| Web site | www.biosphaerenreservat-vessertal.de | |||
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| Last updated: 16/03/2004 |
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