In the project area, some sites with valuable extensive grassland (e.g., Nardus and Molinia grasslands) were afforested with spruce trees in the past. Our aim is to convert parts of these sites back to open grasslands, which are now almost exclusively stocked with spruce and are in close association with current valuable habitat types. In combination with Action C2.1 (establishment of the alluvial forests, habitat type 91E0*), a biotope network will be created on 35 ha, which is underpinned by the high coherence with neighboring areas outside the project setting (e.g., Special Protected Area "Westerwald").

Progress of measures:

In the first project year (2022), the harvester was deployed in the FFH area "Buchheller-Quellgebiet" and by mid-2023 had removed the so-called "spruce barrier" from approximately 30 hectares. This barrier had acted as a dispersal barrier for grassland species in recent decades and had separated the FFH area from the DBU Nature Heritage "Stegskopf." This measure was carried out with the best support from the municipality of Burbach/the Forestry Association Burbach and the local district forester Maik Hoffmann.

Subsequently, two areas with a total size of about 17 hectares were already converted into grassland. These areas were first cleared of logging debris and then mulched to create a suitable seedbed for the establishment of pastures. In the summer of 2023, hay from neighboring areas was transferred to the prepared areas. The seeds from the hay are expected to fall onto the bare soil and germinate over the following months. By early summer 2024, more or less dense grassland will already be present on both areas, allowing for grazing to be planned from summer 2024. Further conversion measures are already in planning.