Forests
Forests characterize the Vulkaneifel. Around 45 percent of the area is covered with trees, and the forest types are just as diverse as the landscape.
Read more …Biological diversity On the basis of geological features
The Eifel natural landscape is characterized by impressive diversity. Diversity in every respect. This landscape has shaped the people here and the people have shaped the landscape. Here we find forests and meadows with fields, lakes and streams, encounter moors and rocks and we walk over heaths, poor grasslands, hilltops and valleys. Here we encounter a natural wealth that we absolutely have to preserve.
Meadows and Pastures
Grassland is typical for the Vulkaneifel. Around two thirds of the agriculturally used areas are meadows and pastures with seasonally captivating flowers.
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Sources
The high altitudes of the Eifel reach up to 700 meters above sea level and are the headwaters of many Eifel streams such as Salm, Lieser, Alfbach, Ahbach or Uessbach.
Read more …Limestone Grassland
Grassland communities rich in species
It couldn't be more species-rich: up to 40 or more different plant species and numerous animal species adapted to them can be found per square meter of limestone grassland.
Stream Valleys
Numerous streams drain the Vulkaneifel from north to south in parallel valleys towards the Moselle.
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Rocks
The Vulkaneifel is littered with rocks and rock faces. Many are of natural origin and many were also created through rock mining.
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Heaths And Bristly Grass Lawns
Heaths and bristly grass lawns were once typical of the open landscapes of the Vulkaneifel.
Read more …Wetlands
Water-filled maar depressions
Larger wetlands are actually typical of flat lowlands and large river floodplains. In low mountain landscapes they are usually found rarely or only in small areas. Due to the relief, surface water drains away quickly in hilly landscapes.
Volcanic peaks and boulder screes
A special feature of the Vulkaneifel - due to their volcanic formation - are the so-called block screes on basalt rock. Over the millennia, the basalt has been eroded to blocks, forming such a scree.
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Hedges and field shrubs
In many locations, hedges and field shrubs constitute distinctive features of the Eifel cultural landscape. They are often found on topographically distinctive and agriculturally challenging terrain, such as slope edges, embankments or piles of stones.
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