Threatened nature: Altneckar is fighting for its last living space!

Threatened nature: Altneckar is fighting for its last living space!

The “Altneckar” nature reserve in the Stuttgart region is an important refuge for flora and fauna and yet still faces challenges. In 2000, the municipality of Ingersheim rejected the expansion of the EU protected area due to concerns that this would not be compatible with the plans for a bypass road over the Wiesental. The current legal situation also prevented the implementation of plans for a bridge structure, as the area is designated as a fauna-flora habitat. This decision has long-term effects on the sensitive ecosystem of the Altneckar, which functions as part of the European protected area network “NATURA 2000”, which is expected to cover around 27 percent of the EU's land area by 2023.

The Altneckar offers a unique landscape with quiet and stream-rich sections. The origin of today's lake goes back to gravel mining between 1952 and 1957, which created two lakes: a larger one, which has since been filled in, and a smaller one, which has been declared a nature reserve. The area is characterized by a high level of biodiversity, in which 23 of 44 native fish species live, including endangered species such as the Moderlieschen, as well as current-loving fish such as barbel and gudgeon.

Diverse living environment

The flora and fauna of the Altneckar are particularly remarkable. Numerous bird species breed on the island in the lake, including the kingfisher and the black kite. There are over 60 breeding bird species recorded in the area, which support the ecological balance. The nature reserve is also home to endangered bat species, over 70 species of wild bees and small creatures such as mussels and water snails. During flood events, the Altneckar transforms into a dynamic wild river system, which further promotes biodiversity.

However, laws protecting biodiversity are under pressure. In Germany, only 0.6 percent of the area is designated as a nature reserve, which corresponds to the third-to-last place among the EU states. The EU is pursuing the ambitious goal of placing 30 percent of land and sea areas under legally binding protection by 2030, of which 10 percent should be subject to strict protection. Germany only meets these requirements to a limited extent and is already confronted with EU infringement procedures such as the one due to the insufficient protected areas daily news reported.

Challenges of nature conservation

Although the Altneckar is considered an important nature reserve, there are extensive challenges that need to be addressed. In addition to the political decisions on land use, the legal framework must also be revised in order to effectively ensure the protection of biodiversity. The German Nature Conservation Association (NABU) criticizes the fact that many areas do not offer the necessary protection to effectively secure biodiversity and ecosystems. Future planning must aim for a sustainable balance between human interests and the necessary environmental protection in order not only to preserve but also to promote the valuable natural landscape on the Altneckar.

Overall, the “Altneckar” nature reserve represents an important part of the landscape and a valuable natural oasis. However, the region faces the challenge of preserving this heritage for future generations while at the same time meeting safety concerns in infrastructure planning. Information about other protected areas and the EU's goals can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety bmuv.de.