| Abstract: | Excursion in Brandenburg: Species richness in sand heathlands After many decades of an intensive military use, the former military training areas of Eastern Germany play a major role as huge, unfragmented biodiversity hotspots. While intensive agriculture causes a serious threat to many species in our cultural landscape, heathlands and dry grasslands are unique habitats on the nutrient‐poor soils in the “box of sand” of the Mark Brandenburg. But these habitats need a strong conservation management with targeted nursing measures such as removal of shrubs, grazing, soil wounding and controlled burning. However, some forest sites of the military training areas are often suitable for a wilderness development. The Heinz Sielmann Foundation pursues these nature conservation objectives and makes great nature experiences possible in the conservation areas. |
