Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
The Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve is a protected area stretching along the Elbe River between Wittenberg and Gommern, featuring floodplain forests, wetlands, and meadows. The region spans several hundred square kilometers and includes both wooded zones and open landscapes.
The reserve began in the 1920s as protection for beavers and plants under state laws in Anhalt. These early conservation efforts formed the foundation for the larger biosphere reserve that developed later.
Wörlitz Park within the reserve shows 18th-century English garden design, where visitors find artificial lakes, bridges, and small buildings set among trees. The site shapes how people in this region understand and use gardens today.
Two information centers offer learning materials about river ecosystems and open with seasonal schedules. Visitors can book guided tours here and learn more about the area's natural features.
An insect from this region, Brachyopa silviae, was first described by scientists in 2005 and is one of only about thirteen known species of this genus in Europe. This discovery shows how much remains unknown about tiny creatures in such places.
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