Altabgrabung Klingenberger, Nature reserve in Langenfeld, Germany.
Altabgrabung Klingenberger is a protected nature reserve in Langenfeld that centers on a lake with several constructed islands scattered across its surface. Dense thickets of alder and willow shrubs coat the surrounding slopes, covering much of the 26-hectare site.
The site received official protection status in 1984 under designation number ME-019 and underwent renewed conservation designation in 2012. This update reinforced existing protection measures and affirmed its ongoing importance for nature conservation.
The reserve serves as a refuge where rare bird species and other wildlife follow their natural patterns largely undisturbed. The thick growth of alder and willow trees creates an environment shaped entirely by ecological processes rather than human intervention.
The entire area is fenced and largely not accessible to general visitors, though designated observation zones allow for some wildlife viewing. Early morning hours are best for spotting birds and other animals when activity levels peak throughout the day.
The lake harbors the critically endangered great pond mussel, a rare shellfish species now found in only a handful of locations worldwide. This extremely threatened species makes the water quality of the lake a key indicator of the reserve's ecological health.
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