Bayerischer Wald

Summary

Along the Bavarian-Czech border between Bayerisch Eisenstein in the district of Regen and Mauth in the district of Freyung-Grafenau lies the Bavarian Forest National Park. On October 7, 1970, the large-scale protected area was designated as the first national park in Germany. Together with the neighboring Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic, it forms the largest contiguous protected forest area in Central Europe. On almost 25,000 hectares, the guiding principle in the Bavarian Forest is “Let nature be nature.”

Description

According to the philosophy "let nature be nature", the forest with its bogs, mountain streams and summits may develop into a limitless forest wilderness according to its very own laws. In this way, yesterday’s economic woodlands become the native jungle forests of tomorrow. Unique biodiversity is a result. Rare animals, such as lynx, otter, capercaillie or ural owl are able to find a habitat again. In addition, there are 16 species of beetles, which are considered to be primeval forest relics and only occur in extremely pristine forests. The strong biodiversity is based, among other things, on the high percentage of deadwood, which serves as basis and habitat for hundreds of insects, fungi and birds. Natural processes of growth and decay within the forest ecosystem are permitted in the national park, also by leaving behind those dead or windthrown trees in their natural environment.