Study excursions
The excursion leads across the shell limestone plateau of the Rödel, characterized by semi-dry grassland, through historic quarries with limestone pioneer grassland vegetation to the steppe species-rich Naumannsberg and Alter Weinberg with its vineyard wall relics. During the hike, the goat and horse pastures, their management and the nature conservation success monitoring carried out over many years are presented.
The destination of the excursion is the Franzigmark natural heritage site in the porphyry hilltop landscape northwest of the city of Halle (Saale). In addition to botanical features that can be found in the area in species-rich dry calcareous grasslands, steppe grasslands and rocky meadows, a species conservation measure for the preservation and promotion of the rare and endangered plant species Biscutella laevigata subsp. gracilis (ornamental spectacled fritillary) will be presented.
The island of Hiddensee in the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park is home to a variety of unique habitats and rare species. In addition to the beach vegetation and salt marshes, the largest contiguous coastal heath in the German Baltic Sea region is a particular highlight. During the excursion days, students can also get active themselves. As part of a maintenance project organized by the Hiddenseer Dünenheide e.V., emerging woody plants are removed manually from a section of the area.
This excursion takes us to two unique river landscapes on the border between Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg. After a detour to the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, our route takes us to the Lower Havel. Starting at the Gülpe Ecological Station, we explore the Lower Havel, where the NABU Institute for River and Floodplain Ecology is implementing one of the largest river restoration projects in Europe.
Meadows to kneel down in! There is no other way to describe the wealth of species and colors of the grassland communities in the White Carpathians. On the one hand, the excursion focuses on the botanical exploration of various meadow communities. In addition, it also focuses on the renaturation of degraded open land habitats. We look at renaturalized former farmland and a sandy landscape formerly used for military practical courses and its pasture management.
Starting from the Faule Ort Biological Station on the eastern bank of the Müritz, we cycle to various habitats in the Müritz National Park. In addition to the riparian and aquatic vegetation of various types of water, we explore fen meadows, swamp forests and inland dunes. The highlight of each tour is a visit to the Müritzhof farm with its surrounding pastures. The extensive grazing there contributes to the preservation of rare plant species and vegetation formations.
