Sandhausener Dünen, Nature reserve in Sandhausen, Germany
The Sandhausener Dünen are a nature reserve near Sandhausen in the Rhein-Neckar region, divided into two separate protected areas of inland sand dunes. The ground is dry and low in nutrients, which limits plant growth to species that can handle harsh, open conditions.
After the last Ice Age, wind carried sand from the Rhine inland and built up dunes over thousands of years. That process shaped the terrain that still exists today.
The name Pferdstriebsdüne recalls a time when horses were led across this ground to graze. Walking through the area today, you can see how centuries of land use have left the soil open and sparse.
The two protected areas have marked paths and information boards that help you identify plants and animals along the way. It is best to stay on the paths, as the sandy ground and low vegetation are easily damaged by foot traffic.
Some of the plants growing here are normally found in Eastern European steppes or around the Mediterranean, far from their usual range. The same goes for certain insects, such as the beewolf wasp, which typically lives in much warmer regions.
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