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Rosenheim (dpa / lby) - The so-called Rosenheim trunk basin bogs have been designated as “wetlands of international importance”.
The area near Rosenheim with its raised bogs is part of one of the largest bog complexes in southern Germany, announced the Federal Environment Ministry, citing the International Ramsar Secretariat.
It is home to endangered sundew species and endangered species of birds, dragonflies, butterflies and grasshoppers.
Intact moors also make an important contribution to protecting the climate.
"Better moor protection is a key element in preserving biodiversity and protecting the climate," said Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD).
The moors near Rosenheim now belonged to the ranks of internationally significant wetlands, such as the French Camargue or the Danube Delta in Romania.
Beate Jessel, President of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, said that more than 90 percent of the peatland in Germany is drained and is used for agriculture or forestry.
Near-natural raised bogs in Germany have been pushed back to around one percent of their original extent.
"It is all the more gratifying that Bavaria has succeeded in rewetting large areas of raised bogs in Rosenheim's trunk basin bogs and renaturing the area."
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Until 2005, large areas of peat were extracted there for potting soil.
Today peat is only removed from small areas for healing purposes.
There are also projects to renaturalize the raised bog areas.
Last but not least, bogs store water, improve water quality and provide cooling in hot summers.
In their intact condition, as long-term carbon sinks, bogs make a greater contribution to climate protection than any other ecosystem in Germany.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210202-99-269942 / 2
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Communication Ministry of Environment
Ramsar Convention