Exerzierplatz, Nature reserve in Erlangen, Germany
Exerzierplatz is a nature reserve in Erlangen with sandy soils that support specialized plant species. The approximately 25 hectare site hosts diverse communities of plants and animals adapted to these unique soil conditions.
The site served as a military training ground for the Royal Bavarian Infantry between 1890 and 1894 before being abandoned for military use. It gained official protected status in 2001 and has been managed for conservation since then.
This site serves as a place where visitors experience the diversity of sandy habitats firsthand. You can observe rare plants thriving in nutrient-poor soil and watch insects and birds that depend on this environment.
Keep dogs on leashes and note that certain areas are closed from mid-March through late July to protect nesting birds. These restrictions help preserve sensitive habitats and minimize disturbance during critical breeding seasons.
The site contains seasonal ponds where the European Green Toad breeds. Protective fences line the roads to safeguard these frogs during their migrations.
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