Holstein Habitat Corridor Project

The Holsteiner Lebensraum Project aims to restore the ecological connectivity of the Kreis Segeberg Region (North Germany).

Species and habitats became fragmented mainly due to the building of two highways. One of the main objectives was to develop the Holsteiner Lebensraum Korridore in conjunction with a range of partners, including the Kreis Segeberg eV hunters.

Several actions are set up at different scales and for different habitats, including:

• The construction of a green bridge over the highway to reconnect the forest. Deer and Wild Boars are now detected daily via photo-traps on the bridge. The bridge also facilitates the movement of beetles, grasshoppers and snakes, which would be otherwise restricted.
• Enhancing cooperation between landowners and the Nature Conservation foundation to improve the nature conservation value of 13 hectares by restoring and creating wetlands, securing open habitats by establishing extensive cattle grazing, including agreement about the management of Wild Boar.
• Connecting isolated peatland (moorland) habitats by establishing sustainable corridors to maintain and improve the conservation value of this habitat.
• Rewetting wetlands previously converted into intensive arable land and creating Otter (Lutra lutra) tunnels to provide habitat and safe access for Otter but also for other animals including Moor Frog (Rana arvalis), Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus), Common Spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus) or European Adder (Vipera berus).

Hunters are involved in several aspects of this project such as communicating with landowners, assisting in the procurement of land for nature conservation measures and monitoring.