Aplerbecker Wald, Protected forest in Dortmund, Germany.
Aplerbecker Wald is a mixed forest with old beech trees, dense holly undergrowth, and small streams that covers roughly 111 hectares in total. The woodland is crossed by several walking trails, while the main forest road remains closed to through traffic.
The woodland represents one of the few remaining sections of the original Ardey Mountains forest that stretched between the Emscher and Ruhr rivers roughly 150 years ago. These forest remnants are now particularly valuable because most of the surrounding woodland disappeared due to human development.
The forest serves as a place where people connect with nature and learn about ecosystems through guided programs and environmental activities. Visitors can observe how the woodland supports diverse species and what makes this habitat worth protecting.
The forest is easy to explore on foot, with several marked walking trails that wind through different parts of the woodland. The paths are well-maintained, and visitors can come at any time to experience the forest at their own pace.
The woodland contains eight ponds and several pools that serve as breeding grounds for fire salamanders, alpine newts, and various toad species. These water bodies are so important that the forest road was closed to through traffic specifically to protect these sensitive amphibian populations.
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