Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve, Biosphere reserve in western Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in western Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with a central lake, islands, peninsulas, and extensive reedbeds. Dense forests and wetlands surround the water, creating an interconnected ecosystem.
The area was a restricted military zone along the Inner German Border from 1952 to 1990 and was largely off-limits to people. During those decades, ecosystems developed undisturbed and flourished without human interference.
The reserve demonstrates how local communities use the land while protecting its natural character. Grazing areas and forestry shape the landscape, with conservation woven into the region's daily practices.
The reserve has about 150 km (93 mi) of hiking and cycling paths through varied landscapes. Bring sturdy footwear and binoculars to spot eagles, cranes, otters, and kingfishers along the routes.
The reserve is home to a population of rheas, large flightless birds that escaped from farms decades ago. These birds have established themselves over the years and now form a self-sustaining population of several hundred.
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