Jockgrimer Tongruben

Today's nature reserve was formerly an open-cast clay mining area, which has left behind a unique landscape that now fulfils important ecological functions. Crossed by the Schmerbach stream, the area is home to various ponds and bodies of water that were created by the former mining activity. These water areas provide valuable habitats for amphibians such as the yellow-bellied toad, the smooth newt and the agile frog. The purpose of protecting the area is to preserve the communities and habitats of rare and endangered plants and animals, especially in the former clay pits and adjacent areas. These include open water areas, shallow water and shore zones, sandy areas, old-growth woodland islands and marshy floodplain meadows. Protection is also provided for scientific reasons.