NSG Bustedter Wiesen

The Bustedt flood retention basin was built in 1968. It can flood an area of 24 ha and retain 280,000 m³ of water. Its primary purpose is to protect the residents of Südlengern from flooding. To date, however, the basin has never been filled. To the north, the dam is bounded by the highway; to the east, by the perimeter dike; and to the south, by the road embankment of Industriestraße. To keep the retention area functional, regular maintenance and upkeep must be carried out on the dikes and water bodies—a necessity that nature conservation efforts must inevitably tolerate. The areas to the left and right of the path form the core of the “Bustedter Wiesen” nature reserve. Through targeted measures in 1982–83, large bodies of water, extensive areas of tall forbs and reed beds, and several woodlands were created. This area provides a habitat for amphibians, small fish, grasshoppers, dragonflies, butterflies (up to 360 species!), bats, and songbirds. The meadows are mowed every year, and the tall forb and reed beds are mowed when weather conditions permit. Some areas are left to develop naturally. The goal is to create a mosaic of habitats that provides a home for as many native plant and animal species as possible.