Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Nature conservation relevant military areas in Germany – a database

Dr. Kerstin Höntsch and Adrian Johst

Naturstiftung DAVID, Erfurt, Germany

financed by Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt and ZGF

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

1. Introduction - military areas with high

nature-conservation value in Germany

2. Presentation of the database based on

selected case studies

3. Problems and possible solutions for

the long term protection of (former)

military areas in Germany

Structure of the presentation

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

relevant sites for conservation total number: 607total area: 630,000 ha

size: 3 to 28,000 ha (average: 275 ha)

military activities currently: 269 formerly: 334

50 % are officially protected

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Ownership & responsibilities

607 sites in total

currently (269)

Federal Ministry of Defence

presently secured

Federal Ministry of Finance

No longer used (334)

Potential conflicts

various owners

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Military areas at risk I

Private ownership might cause changes in land use

Major risk: traditional forestry• logging of mature forest

stands• removal of dead wood• implementation of new

hunting regimes

SOLD

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Military areas at risk II

Major risk: • construction of roads• industrial development

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Data collection :

Data collection according to specific criteria :1. Size2. State of protection3. Fauna & flora4. Sealing of the respective areas5. Ownership6. Causes for conflict7. …

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Data base – conservation value of military sites:

www.naturgebiete.de

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

View with ArcGis

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Example 1: Hainich-Nationalpark (Thuringia)

Major management component:

„hands-off“ policy

Ownership:

State of Thuringia

Military site:

TÜP Kindel / Weberstedt (2,515 ha/ 5,580 ha)

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Major management component:

Conservation of open space with traditional breeds (Heckrinder und Wildpferde)

Example 2: Döberitzer Heide (Brandenburg)

Ownership:

Heinz-Sielmann-Foundation

Military Site:

TÜP Döberitz (5.051 ha)

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Example 3: Peninsula Wustrow (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)

Major management component:

Sustainable tourism

Ownership:

Fundus-Group (private investor)

Military Site:

TÜP Wustrow (1.056 ha)

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Military sites –

Which are the most conservation relevant sites?

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Top-10 most conservation relevant Military Areas in Germany

Lieberose 25,750 haKyritz-Ruppin. Heide 12,066 ha Jüterbog 11,826 ha Münsingen 6,700 haHohe Schrecke 5,000 haPrösa 3,720 haTangersdorf 3,620 haAltwarp 2,791 haGlücksburger Heide 2,555 haAltenwalde 1,198 ha

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Military sites – information network

• Participants: NGOs, foundations, governmental conservation agencies, Federal Armed Forces, Federal Ministry of Finances

• Target: long-term protection of the most important nature conservation sites

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Potential scenario of future project development :

„Large-scale“ solution in cooperation with Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU):

• The majority of the nature sites will be put under the governance of the DBU free of charge

• The DBU will coordinate the management of the sites

• Aim: Preventing the future sale to private owners

Nature in Defence 20.09.2005

Thank you for your attention!