Preserve the Altbbayrische Donaumoos

The Altbbayrische Donaumoos is with its 180 km ² the largest moor in southern Germany. Already in the 18th century, it was drained for meadows and fields. Drainage, agriculture and peat-cutting led to a significant soil erosion by the wind. However, there are many areas, where bogs and small populations of rare species are still growing.

Near the castle Sandizell in the south of the Danube between Ingolstadt and Augsburg, is one of the most important breeding areas for meadow breeders in the entire moss of Danube. The rare meadow pipit and even the curlew are hatching here. The moist, large meadows are an ideal habitat for these rare species. To ensure, that the area remains open and without trees, it is grazed with Heck cattles in the summer.

Primeval cattle graze the meadows

Heck cattle are primeval cattle, which were bred 1920 referring to the in 1627 extinct aurochs. Numerous old pet races provided as a genetic basic, and in many ways the Heck cattle resembles the aurochs, even though it remains a domestic cattle, an almost wild one. But these cattle are ideal, to keep the meadows short and bare. And they give an idea of ​​the great aurochs that were once domestic in Germany.

Tanks to the suppert of LA'BIO we preserved 57.033 m² for nature on the long term. Proprietor is going to be the Donaumoos-Zweckverband. Under his custody, the area is to be grazed extensively for preserving it as a habitat for the rare meadow breeders. In the west, the bog is renatured and thus a piece of the Altbbayrische Donaumoos could emerge again.

Particularity

The Altbbayrische Donaumoos is with its 180 km ² the largest moor in southern Germany. It was already drained in the 18th century. Nevertheless, some fen remains were preserved. Here is one of the last breeding areas of the western Curlew in Bavaria.

Care concept

Extensive grazing is intended to preserve the breeding areas for the curlew in the long term.