Forster Bruch, Nature reserve in Forst an der Weinstraße and Deidesheim, Germany.
Forster Bruch is a protected natural area in the Palatinate region that developed from former basalt extraction sites. The reserve features a lake surrounded by diverse habitats that support numerous animal and plant species.
The site operated as a basalt quarry from the mid-1900s until the early 1980s, when extraction ceased. It gained protected nature reserve status several decades after quarrying operations ended.
The name refers to the broken landscape created by past quarrying activity. The site shows how industrial land can become a living space for wildlife and vegetation.
The area is easy to explore on foot with walking trails connecting different sections and leading to the lake. Resting spots and picnic areas are scattered throughout, making it simple to find places to stop and take in the surroundings.
The basalt lake formed relatively recently when water naturally filled the quarried cavities after mining stopped. This unusual origin makes it a rare example of a lake created through industrial land reclamation.
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