Leipzig Riverside Forest

Leipzig Riverside Forest (German: Leipziger Auenwald) is one of the largest lowland Riparian forests in Central Europe, lying mostly within the city limits of Leipzig city in Germany. The nature reserve is partially covered with hardwood forest and contains a large variety of endangered species.

Inside the Riverside Forest
Auwald, Leipzig
a carpet of crested lark
Common kingfisher fishing

Location
The Palm Garden is part of the corridor

Leipzig Riverside Forest is divided into separate southern and northern parts, between which is a corridor containing many parks and green areas along the banks of the White Elster. Between the two there is a certain ecological link through a corridor that comprises parks and grassland and which lies along the Elster Basin, which was constructed to provide flood protection, the Elster flood plain and other water bodies of the Leipzig River Network. The total area covered is approx. 2500 hectares.

Leipzig Riverside Forest is a nature reserve.

Flora and Fauna

Plants

Originally, the hardwood forest hosted more elms and black poplars which have become rare over the years, however the amount of old oaks with massive stems is still remarkable. The mixed forest contains may different tree species, almost half of them are either ash, maple or sycamore maple. Also found are small-leaved linden, common horn beam and various kinds of willows.[1] In spring, the ground is covered with wild garlic, sprinkled with spring snowflakes and crested lark in colors ranging from white and pink to purple. Some rather rare plants like the Geum rivale can also be found in the wet, almost swampy parts of the area.[2]

Animals

The common kingfisher has become quite rare in Germany, especially due to loss of habitat. Kingfishers rely on clean, flowing water with a multitude of small fish and breeding sites in the riverside forest. They are still considered to be endangered, and so enjoy special protection, as a result, some waterways are closed-off from tourist paddling during the breeding season.[3] Inhabiting the forest are red squirrels and a multitude of woodpeckers, such as the great spotted woodpecker, as well as the black woodpecker and the European green woodpecker.[4]

Literature
  • ENEDAS e. V./ Autorenkollektiv: Der Leipziger Auwald. Ein Natur- und Erlebnisführer. Edition Leipzig, 2013, ISBN 978-3-361-00685-0.
  • Gerd K. Müller (ed.): Der Leipziger Auwald – ein verkanntes Juwel der Natur. Leipzig, 1992.
  • Gerd K. Müller: Die Leipziger Auen. Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Landesentwicklung, Dresden, 1995.

References
  1. "Hauptbaumarten des Leipziger Auwaldes". Leipziger Auwald (in German). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  2. "Wissenswertes, Pflanzen, Kräuter". Leipziger Auwald (in German). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  3. "Der Eisvogel". Auwaldstation Leipzig (in German). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  4. "Wissenswertes, Tiere". Leipziger Auwald (in German). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
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