Steveraue, Protected area along River Stever in Olfen and Lüdinghausen, Germany
Steveraue is a protected area that spans nine kilometers along the shallow Stever River, featuring natural floodplains bordered by terrace edges reaching up to four meters in height. The river creates a diverse riparian landscape with varying soils and vegetation zones.
The area received protected status in 1996 and was strengthened with additional conservation measures in 2005 to preserve the natural river landscape. These protections were designed to maintain valuable habitats for the long term.
The area connects two Münsterland towns within view of castles like Lüdinghausen Castle and Vischering Castle that shape the surrounding landscape. It forms an important part of the regional cultural fabric.
The site is accessible through an extensive network of walking paths that can be explored on foot. Konik horses and Heck cattle graze here and shape the landscape, which is worth noting when planning a visit.
The area contains a complex old river channel system near Füchtelner Mühle that provides habitat for rare species like the European Weather Loach. These hidden waterways hold special importance for specialized fish species.
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