91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ

The area of Oberlausitzer Heide- und Teichlandschaft Biosphere Reserve has been shaped and modified by human use for more than three millennia since the Bronze Age. In addition to the original habitats, this has created cultural ecosystems, resulting in richer species andhabitat diversity. The pond and watercourse ecosystem which has been created is an outstanding landscape feature.The core area is mainly representative of the few near-natural habitats such as bogs, carrwoodlands, dune pine forests – of which only very small patches remain – and adjacent forests and heathlands. The Biosphere Reserve’s post-mining landscape is unique in Germany: due to the lack of post-mining remediation here, soil formation and natural succession can take place unhindered. In accordance with the Biosphere Reserve Ordinance, the core area is a strict nature reserve; its protection regime precludes any human activity.The buffer zone contains most of the pond ecosystems which, in terms of their cohesion, complexity and species richness, are also unique among the German biosphere reserves. This zone also includes near-natural and largely near-natural woodlands, heaths and meadows. Tailor-made management and maintenance regimes prioritise species and biotope conservation objectives and thus aim to preserve and increase the existing species diversity. The buffer zone, like the core area, is a nature conservation area (Naturschutzgebiet – NSG) and is thus protected by law from any deterioration in its ecological status. Improved nature conservation-oriented management methods and marketing of near-natural produce are intended to create alternative income sources for land users.Oberlausitzer Heide- und Teichlandschaft Biosphere Reserve provides a suitable habitat for many rare and protected species from a wide range of climatic regions. To date, more than 5 200 species of flora and fauna have been identified at the site (see Appendix 5). They include 1 200 species from Saxony’s Red List, some of which are found nowhere else in Germany, such as the Bog Violet (Viola uliginosa). The populations of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Common Crane (Grus grus) and Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) and the occurrence of Mossgrass (Coleanthus subtilis) are outstanding examples. The site is also important for Saxony’s wolf population.