Lebensraumkorridor Biesenbrow

Thanks to the support of the German Postcode Lottery, the Helversen’sche Stiftung is working to develop a habitat corridor around the ponds, the adjacent patches of woodland, reed beds and tributaries.

Connections via hedges or green strips to small water bodies (Söllen) in the farmland could enhance them considerably. These are located north of the ponds, especially between the Jacknitz and Hassel ditches. These two watercourses represent the most important structures in the surrounding landscape to serve as corridors between habitats of amphibians, small mammals and bats, but also otters and insects. In continuation of the Jacknitzgraben, a connection via Polßensee and Jacknitzsee to the extensive forest area of Melzower Forst is conceivable. Likewise, in the south, the natural slight depression in the direction of the forest can be exploited beyond the B 198 by creating guiding structures on the path along the vineyard, via the numerous small water bodies and wetlands embedded in the fennel field.

Along the edges of the forest on the north-eastern slopes, we strive for the development of the forest edges that allow a flowing transition into the landscape and could create entirely new biotope types. Native woody plants and berries can root through the previous sharp arable furrow and accumulate humus, perennials and geophytes can settle.

A semi-arid grassland slope owned by the Brandenburg Nature Conservation Fund is to be protected from scrub encroachment by sheep grazing with subsequent mowing, if possible, and thus preserved in its characteristic form. Currently, deer nibble at the shoots of the widespread dogwood and keep it relatively short. Hawthorn thickets provide shade and thus favourable growing conditions for lesser celandine, deadnettle, honey grass and burdock ragwort and even young ash trees. Field hares rest in shallow pits under individual copses. Cowslip, cranesbill, yarrow, burnet, cinquefoil, strawflower, viper’s bugloss, knapweed, various species of speedwell, thistle and kidney vetch and also much hungrywort form a dense carpet, interrupted by a few open sand patches.

South of this slope, the farmland descends deeply in a depression, leaving only a narrow strip of forest between it and the Hintenteich. Only in this strip is there a stand of old copper beech. Due to wind breakage of several ash trees that have fallen below, it is now strongly exposed to the prevailing westerly wind. The arable land is separated by a green strip about 8 metres wide, which is used as a turning place and path. This always wet depression is fertile and productive. Here we want to ensure that the green strip remains and is rather widened so that the beech trees benefit from sufficient moisture.

The southern eastern bank of the mill pond is shielded from the relatively sandy field above by alder and alder-ash forest and a broad area of reeds. The springs in the slope forest have so far not dried up even in the extremely dry summers. We want to pay special attention to their preservation.

The southern eastern bank of the mill pond is shielded from the relatively sandy field above by alder and alder-ash forest and a broad area of reeds. The springs in the slope forest have so far not dried up even in extremely dry summers. We want to pay special attention to their preservation.

The outflow from the mill pond is via the Mühlgraben or Schmidtgraben, which splits into two streams. Below the main dam, a wetland biotope created by the beaver has developed with alder swamps and extensive reed beds. The main part of the water drains off via the developed Schmidtgraben, which briefly joins the Mühlgraben. Accompanied by willows, the latter flows further to the east and occasionally dries up. By dividing the amount of water, we want to keep both watercourses flowing all year round if there is sufficient supply. The Mühlgraben “loses itself” somewhat in the reeds and woods before the old railway embankment and flows into the Schmidtgraben, which joins the Mittelgraben after about 3.5 km in an easterly direction. This flows into the Welse near Passow. Since the Schmidtgraben and the Mittelgraben are equipped with weirs, it is not yet possible for fish to ascend. However, beavers and otters follow these waterways.