EU-LIFE Project Rambower Moor

Regeneration of the "Rambower Moor" for protecting bittern (Botaurus stellaris)

The Rambower Moor area is one of the last breeding grounds of the bittern, one of the rarest bird species in Germany (photo: Günter Bachmeier).
 
The Rambower Moor is one of the nicest moorlands of the state of Brandenburg. Situated in the utmost northwestern corner of the state, about halfway between Hamburg and Berlin, it is one of the last habitats of the bittern (Botaurus stellaris) left in Germany. The area is part of a large complex of natural reserves along the middle Elbe river, mainly comprised of the biosphere reserve "Flusslandschaft Elbe-Brandenburg" in the state of Brandenburg and supplemented by protected areas in the neighbouring states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Sachsen-Anhalt.
The boggy areas are fed by lime-rich springs and water pressing in from the slopes of the valley. In the midst of the moorland the Rambower See (Rambow lake) is a paradise for birds. The shallow lake is surrounded by a belt of reed beds, mainly comprised of common reed and sedges. Large pastures and meadows managed in traditional ways lie in the further vicinity. Alder forests are home for European cranes (Grus grus), and the large copper butterfly (Lycaena dispar) is a quite common inhabitant of the reed beds, where its caterpillars find their favourite food plants (in particular the water dock, Rumex hydrolapathum).
 
Saving the moorland with EU-LIFE
A negative water balance especially in the summer months posed a continuous threat to the diverse plant and animal communities of the wet areas. It was time to act, and so a project to save and revitalise the Rambower Moor was initiated, partly funded by the EU's LIFE program. The major goals are to secure the water supply of the moorlands and to save the area as a breeding and hibernation place for the bittern. To stabilise and raise the water to its natural level, measures include water retention by constructing ground sills in the Nausdorf Canal, which drains the bog, and building smaller dams at several locations in the area. The small stream Kavelbeck was transferred to a new bed to improve water inflow into the Rambower See. Land had to be purchased, the public informed and several details had to be negotiated among all concerned people and institutions. Two working groups were initiated to promote communication about the planned measures. Through several monitoring projects we keep an eye on the success of the measures and the further development of the Rambower Moor area.
 
For further information please contact:
Mrs. Heide Filoda or Mrs. Sabine Neumann
Biosphärenreservat Flusslandschaft Elbe-Brandenburg
Neuhausstr. 9
D-19322 Rühstädt
tel. +49-38791-980-18
fax +49-38791-980-11
email: Heide.Filoda@lags.brandenburg.de
 
An overview of the project area in the Rambower Moor: