VCA Proposal – Hintenteiche- Sernitz

A. Executive Summary

Inside the 129,100 ha UNESCO Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve in State , NE , two areas (together 700 ha) have been set aside for the conservation of the natural landscape, with the aim to restore several ecological functions, mainly associated with water. At the same time, these reserves work towards a closer integration with the surrounding farmland by stimulating landowners to introduce more nature-friendly management practices and setting aside land for connecting the two areas through ecological corridors. Both areas are privately owned, and serve thereby as interesting examples for many other areas in Germany - a country which is dominated by private properties.

B. Area Characteristics & Manager

The Hinterteiche-Sernitz area consists of two smaller areas – Hintenteiche bei Biesebrow (130 ha) and Sernitz-Niederung (560 ha) – which together cover an area of almost 700 ha. Both are located inside the much larger (129,100 ha) Schorfheide- Chorin Biosphere Reserve in State Brandenburg, North-eastern Germany (see maps below).

Aerial photo of the Hintenteiche Biesenbrow (top) and Sernitz-Niederung nature reserves (lower part), their location within the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve and the wider Germany (below)

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Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow

The 130 ha nature reserve Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow hosts a valuable mixture of forests, ponds, wetlands and streams and is situated as an island in the surrounding more intensively used farmland. The reserve was established during the time of and in 1990 integrated into the Biosphere Reserve. Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow is designated as Natura 2000 site under the Habitats Directive, with the justification of the presence of four species (fire-bellied toad, crested newt, European beaver, Eurasian otter) and three habitat types (code: 3260, 6430, 91E0) (http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/DE2849301#tab-habitats).

A section of the core zone of Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow reserve, with a mosaic of open water, reeds and surrounding riparian forests

2 In 2005, the core of the Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow reserve was acquired by the foundation “Helversen-Stiftung für Arten- und Biotopschutz”, which now is being expanded to also incorporate surrounding buffer areas of the farmland to reduce pressure on the core zone, especially negative impacts from agriculture sediment and nutrient runoff on the water ecosystems.

In parallel, work is undertaken by the Foundation to increase the natural values in the surrounding farmland by promoting the protection of, so called, key biotopes and associated ecological corridors. This is expected to result in an expansion of certain species from the core zone into the farmland. Such measures could receive financial support through the agro-environmental instruments provided by the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) programmes and which stipulates the farmers to set aside 5% of their land as ecological zones. Such more nature-friendly management practices also fit into a National Strategy for Biodiversity in Farmland. This would hopefully also counteract the current trends of agriculture intensification in the area with energy crops, etc.

The manager of the Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow nature reserve is the Helversen- Stiftung für Arten- und Biotopschutz, c/o Ulrich Stöcker, Krumme Strasse 6, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany ([email protected]).

A section of the intensively used farmland bordering the Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow reserve, which leads to sediment and nutrient runoff negatively affecting the biological values of the reserve

Sernitz-Niedrung

The area is part of one of the largest peat wetlands in North-east Germany, which is infiltrated by groundwater (“Durchströmmungsmoore” / Percolation mire). A significant part of the area is under different levels of cultivation, especially east of the Greiffenberg village, with a mixture of peat land dominated sections and drier

3 grassland. The drier grasslands have been designated as Natura 2000 Site based on the occurrence of valuable habitats and species listed under the EU Habitats Directive (http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/SDF.aspx?site=DE2949303). The areas west of the village are more natural, which also serves as the main water source for the river Sernitz.

An area of 560 ha has been selected for the VCA proposal, of which 290 ha are owned by the foundation “Michael Succow Stiftung zum Schutz der Natur”. In the future additional areas may be purchased.

In the areas owned by the Foundation, the management objective is to the extent possible restore the original water regime. When justified, some areas could remain under cultivation but only based on nature-friendly principles and without damaging the water conditions. Some limited harvest of reed should be allowed, and close to the village, the restoration of smaller wet meadows is foreseen. A Significant part of the area should be left for free, natural development without human interventions.

The Manager of the area is the foundation “Michael Succow Stiftung zum Schutz der Natur” (http://www.succow-stiftung.de), with the address: Ellernholzstr. 1/3, D-17489, , Germay. Contact person is Stefan Schwill ([email protected]).

C. Biodiversity Baseline Conditions

Hinterteiche-Sernitz

The Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow reserve includes open water, reed beds, streams, and forests with oak, alder and other tree species. It is surrounded by cultivated farmland.

The reserve hosts an interesting mixture of different plant and animal species typical for this part of Germany. In addition to the Habitat Directive species mentioned in section B, following species are found breeding in the Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow reserve: black woodpecker, penduline tit, bearded reedling, goldeneye, goosander and marsh harrier. The reserve serves as feeding ground for rare birds like white- tailed eagle, osprey and black stork. In 2015 both bittern and little bittern appeared, and the common snipe was probably breeding. Among migrating birds cranes and whooper swan frequently use the reserve for resting and feeding.

To promote the comeback of other birds, artificial islands will be constructed to stimulate breeding of common and black terns, vertical river banks will be created to suit the common kingfisher, and sand banks will be provided to stimulate breeding of sand martins and the European bee-eater.

The Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow reserve has a rich fauna of amphibians and reptiles with species like moor frog, fire-bellied toad, European green toad, crested newt,

4 viviparous lizard, sand lizard and grass snake. To promote the European tree frog, suitable breeding ponds will be created. To promote conservation of High Nature Value grassland valuable for many plants and insects, sheep grazing will be promoted in certain areas.

Sernitz-Niederung

Since 2012, the Foundation is part of a larger EU LIFE project (http://www.succow- stiftung.de/moor-revitalisierung-in-der-sernitz-niederung.html) with the aim of improving the breeding and feeding conditions for Lesser-spotted eagle, Corn crake and Aquatic warbler, of which the first two species inhabit Sernitz-Niederung. As part of the habitat restoration, domestic water buffalos are used for grazing to keep certain areas open and to reduce the expansion of reed, shrubs and trees.

Domestic water buffalos provide important ecosystem services by removing higher vegetation and maintaining open areas favoured by many rare animal and plant species

D. Conservation Impact Assessment & Stakeholders

All the conservation measures are in line with the specific management plan for the designated Natura 2000 sites as well as with the plans for the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve. The parameters for conservation impact assessment will be set by the agreed objectives of these plans.

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In addition to the owner of Hintenteiche bei Biesenbrow reserve (the Helversen Stiftung für Arten- und Biotopschutz) & the Sernitz-Niederung - Michael Succow Stiftung zum Schutz der Natur – surrounding landowners and the authorities of the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve are important stakeholders.

E. Next Steps for Registering the Area

VCA compatible management plans will be available in 2016 followed by an external audit to meet the requirements for the final VCA registration.

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