NSG Habighorster Wiesental

The nature reserve covers an area of 12.8 ha and has been legally designated in the Bünde/Rödinghausen landscape plan since 1994. The nature reserve is an elongated drainage channel characterized by the upper reaches of the Habighorster stream and its springs. There is species-rich deciduous forest in the spring area. The Habighorster Wiesental nature reserve consists of damp meadows, copses on the embankments and small patches of woodland. Over time, the copses grew up, becoming denser and taller. As a result - and also due to their small size and high humidity - the meadows were increasingly no longer used. It is more difficult to make hay on shaded, damp meadows because they dry out much more slowly. The Biological Station is clearing the wet meadows through targeted pruning to ensure the necessary cultivation. This preserves and improves the habitat for particularly adapted plant species such as the cuckoo flower. Downstream, the former grassland has developed into a eutrophic tall perennial. The grassland in the Siek has been extensively maintained and developed by the Biological Station since 1999. The edge of the siek is covered with deciduous forest throughout. Smaller areas of grassland and orchards can be found in the drier outer areas.