Auenlandschaft Obere Tideelbe

Summary

Twelve individual nature reserves preserve the uniqueness, diversity and beauty of Hamburg's Elbe River. The Norderelbe floodplain nature reserve was established in 2010, significantly expanded in 2016 and renamed the Upper Tideelbe floodplain nature reserve. It stretches from the A1 motorway bridge to Bunthausspitze and covers an area of 222 hectares.

Description

This includes parts of the northern Elbe, the Dove Elbe below the Tatenberg lock and the entire tidal foreshore consisting of reeds and valuable riparian forests right up to the foot of the dyke. Due to the force of the tides and the tidal range of up to 3.5 metres, the shape of the foreshore is subject to constant change. This means that only highly specialised, adaptable animal and plant species can live here permanently. The floodplains are home to a number of rare and protected plant and animal species. A colony of great cormorants has developed here, and common golden orioles, white-tailed eagles and penduline tits are frequent visitors. It is considered an important refuge, feeding, spawning and breeding ground for around 40 species of fish.