Riparian Forest
RIPARIAN FOREST
The area "Die Burg" consists of a large forest complex with partly great historical continuity of predominantly oak, beech and alder forest communities. With the stream system of the Silvert and the Nieringbach, which is preserved very close to nature, the area shows the habitat type of flowing water with underwater vegetation, which optimal habitat conditions e.g. for the kingfisher and bullhead. The forest stands, some of which are up to 160 years old, largely reflect the locations of the old acidic oak forests, acidic beech forests and well-infiltrated floodplain and quarry forests. In the southern part of the area there is a Carolingian ring wall that is of cultural and historical importance, which gave the area its name. Particularly noteworthy are the old oak forests with a high proportion of dead wood and the floodplain and broken forest areas along the streams. In the area of the historic rampart, ancient beeches and heavily dimensioned dead wood with numerous woodpecker caves characterize the picture, so endangered cave users can be found regularly. Scattered and marginally there are mostly extensively used, partly moist grassland areas which, due to their characteristics, are habitat e.g. for grasshopper and butterfly species as well as rural habitat of various amphibians.
Die Burg (Naturschutzgebiet)-The castle (nature reserve)
The approximately 143 hectare forest area "Die Burg" is located in the southeast of the city of Marl. In 1991, the popular local recreation area was designated as a nature reserve.
The name goes back to a medieval earth castle, whose ramparts are now completely overgrown by the forest. More than a thousand years ago, people hid their treasures here when danger threatened; Today, the area's natural treasures are secured for future generations.
In my youth I played as a drummer in a nearby rehearsal room. At that time, 1980-1990, the forest was still full of garbage and the water from the stream was branched off for fish ponds. Everything was cleaned and put under nature protection.
In recent years, the forest has suffered from drought and numerous storms have uprooted many of the old trees. Again and again, trees are felled by the city for "tree care". It looks like we always have to fight for this gem.
The name goes back to a medieval earth castle, whose ramparts are now completely overgrown by the forest. More than a thousand years ago, people hid their treasures here when danger threatened; Today, the area's natural treasures are secured for future generations.
In my youth I played as a drummer in a nearby rehearsal room. At that time, 1980-1990, the forest was still full of garbage and the water from the stream was branched off for fish ponds. Everything was cleaned and put under nature protection.
In recent years, the forest has suffered from drought and numerous storms have uprooted many of the old trees. Again and again, trees are felled by the city for "tree care". It looks like we always have to fight for this gem.
A WONDERFUL AUTUMN DAY
All of these photos, with one exception, were taken in November 2018. It was a wonderful autumn day with a unique light in the forest. A moment that I could capture with my camera and now I can share with you here.
MOOS AND LICHENS
The mosses have a simple blueprint compared to other land plants. Mosses absorb the water primarily through the leaves. They therefore prefer moist locations. The mosses are considered the oldest land plants. Researchers have found fossils that indicate that the mosses divided into three lines about 450 to 440 million years ago: the liver moss, horn moss and leaf moss.
Lichens come in many colors, sizes, and forms. The properties are sometimes plant-like, but lichens are not plantsA lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship. Lichens may have tiny, leafless branches , flat leaf-like structures , flakes that lie on the surface like peeling paint , a powder-like appearance , or other growth forms.
Here are some of my photographs from the nature reserve. I have attached photos of the mushrooms which are very common here in the MUSHROOMS
folder.
PLANTS AND FLOWERS
Flowers on the forest floor. The forest is still in a dark, wintery dress, the treetops are leafless and bare. But the external impression is deceptive: spring has long broken out on the sunlit forest floor. Before the leaves sprout and the canopy swallows most of the sunlight, the plants down here must have done their reproductive business.
One wonders where these tender plants, of which nothing had been visible for months before, suddenly have the energy to drive flowers and leaves out of the earth with full force. The secret must be underground. And indeed: there are stocks of juicy bulbs and thick rhizomes that the plants have laid out during the last growing season. So protected in the ground they survived the cold season well. Now that enough light has reached the ground, flowering, fruiting and photosynthesis are taking place - and the energy reserve is already being prepared for the next year. From summer onwards, these plants will once again concentrate on being underground.
I photographed all plants and flowers in the photo folder below in the nature reserve "Die Burg" in Marl.
SPRING IN THE FOREST
The forest finally wakes up from its hibernation.
The fresh, glowing green of the newly sprouting leaves makes winter finally forgotten and conjures up a roof over the forest.
The fresh, glowing green of the newly sprouting leaves makes winter finally forgotten and conjures up a roof over the forest.
A single mature old beech tree alone gets around 600,000 light green leaves. Unthinkable or countable how many leaves unfold in spring in the forest and on the trees.
With a few exceptions, I took all the pictures on an April afternoon in 2020. I was there two hours before sunset and went into the forest. I wanted to take advantage of the low-lying sun and the golden light so that the fresh green of the leaves can be seen better.
Unfortunately, the forest has suffered a lot due to the storm damage and drought in recent years, and many gaps have opened up between the old trees. It will take decades for the forest to recover.
Unfortunately, the forest has suffered a lot due to the storm damage and drought in recent years, and many gaps have opened up between the old trees. It will take decades for the forest to recover.
MYSTERIOUS FOREST
The forest has always been a mysterious and exciting landscape for most people, and even today many contemporaries are afraid of being alone in the forest, whether because of the possibility of getting lost or because of the fear of the animals or other people living there. When it is dark or foggy, the many different animal voices, sounds and shadows appear particularly mysterious and dangerous.
And if you look closely during the day, you can also discover small magical things.
And if you look closely during the day, you can also discover small magical things.
