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Reconstruction to a natural oasis: Ecological upgrading in the Wehrenbachtobe

Realized:

2024

performed by:

Naturnetz Mittelland

The species-rich habitats of the Wehrenbachtobel


The nature reserves in the Wehrenbachtobel on urban Zurich soil have a special mosaic of species-rich habitats. Many different forest communities with a high proportion of old wood intertwine here with meadows of various types, diverse hedges, springs and small bodies of water. The Wehrenbachtobel thus offers an important habitat for many rare and endangered plant and animal species.

Demolition of old buildings: A step back to nature


In the middle of the core zone of the nature reserve, there are still various buildings on land leased by the city from times when there was no nature conservation ordinance. Since these contradict the protection goals of the current ordinance, they are usually not leased again when the lease is terminated. In 2022, one such house, which had been used for more than 50 years, was returned to the city of Zurich. On behalf of Grün Stadt Zürich, the nature network was able to dismantle the house and implement an ecological upgrade of the plot.


With sledgehammer and care: civil servants during dismantling

For once, the volunteers from the Nature Network were able to start their work with rather brute means. The house was dismantled into its individual parts using a lot of manual labour and a sledgehammer, and the building materials that could no longer be reused were separated by material and sent for recycling. Reusable materials such as bricks and stones were temporarily stored for later projects - an example of sustainable use of resources.

Ecological enhancement: creating diversity in a small area


After the demolition work was completed, the civil servants were able to start implementing the improvement concept designed by the nature network. In order to do justice to the structural diversity of the surrounding natural areas, various ecological structures were also planned on this plot: The civil servants erected a 12-meter-long dry stone wall, built small ponds, created piles of dead wood and stone lenses, planted a hedge and sowed the open areas with seed from the surrounding lean meadows. This variety of structures creates habitats for a wide variety of animal and plant species.


First successes: New residents in the upgraded area


The work was carried out with great commitment by the civil servants and we are very satisfied with the result. Soon after completion, individual alpine newts were spotted in the new ponds. There is great hope that the first yellow-bellied toads will find and use the small bodies of water this year. These quick successes show how valuable such measures are for biodiversity.


Sustainable care: Regular maintenance work from 2024


Regular maintenance work will begin in 2024 to ensure long-term ecological improvement. This includes pushing back emerging problem plants such as the Armenian blackberry and mowing the open areas twice a year. This maintenance ensures that the newly created habitats are sustainably preserved and can continue to be used by various species.

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