Support priority:

Sustaining species diversity: Reintroducing and protecting highly endangered plants and animals

Location:

Lechtal, Landkreise (districts) of Landsberg/Lech, Augsburg, Aichach-Friedberg, Donau-Ries and the town of Augsburg, Bavaria

Period:

09/1999 - 05/2002 (Preliminary study)

Short description:

Reptiles are the most endangered group of vertebrates in Germany as a whole. Of the 14 native species, 11 are on the German Red List. Even reptile species which were originally distributed over wide areas are now increasingly endangered due to habitat loss, a consequence of far-reaching restructuring of the landscape. The nationwide decline in native snake species, in particular, cannot be halted in the long term simply by designating protected areas which are usually too small and often isolated. Due to the complex habitat requirements of many reptile species, it is a far more urgent necessity to draw up trans-regional networking schemes which take account of key structures and the need to integrate all sub-habitats and functional structures.

Taking the example of four reptile species endangered throughout Germany, though originally widely distributed (adder, grass snake, smooth snake and sand lizard) exemplary procedures and methods for restoring a trans-regional habitat network will be developed and practically tested in the Lechtal valley. The selected range of indicator species not only results in protection of Germany's most endangered group of vertebrates but also, due to their diverse habitat requirements, of a wide range of habitat types which in some cases are equally highly endangered.

As part of the preliminary study - flanked by numerous activities to promote public acceptance - a concept was being devised for such a habitat network including a specific set of measures and a feasibility study. This takes account of the habitat requirements of indicator species and the interests of the different user groups (agriculture, forestry and water management).

Project executing agencies:

German Association for Landcare (DVL)
Eyber Straße 2
91522 Ansbach, Germany

Liaison within BfN:

Jutta Illmann, Unit  Ref. G

Project funding agencies:

Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN)

Level of funding:

€330,000