Mitternacher Ohe

Summary

Nature reserves constitute one of the most important conservation categories in Germany and Austria. The exact definitions vary, but together they combine the conservation of natural landscape, the protection of endangered species and the preservation for scientific interests.

Description

The Mitternacher Ohe nature reserve is located in the Bavarian Forest and protects a near-natural low mountain range stream with its accompanying hillside forests. The Mitternacher Ohe is characterised by a largely unspoilt, dynamic stream course with gravel and rock structures and potholes. This diversity of structures creates valuable habitats for numerous specialised animal and plant species. The area is particularly important for moisture-loving plants, such as the spotted fern, which benefit from the cool, humid microclimate along the stream. Rare animal species such as beavers, otters, grass frogs and blue-winged damselflies also live here. The nature reserve thus makes an important contribution to the preservation of near-natural watercourses and their typical biotic communities in the Bavarian Forest.