The Devin Peninsula
Geomorphologically, the Devin Peninsula is the result of the last ice age and the subsequent maritime erosion and landfall processes. The moraine knolls formed by the ice age glaciers give the landscape its characteristic appearance. Ecologically valuable dry and nutrient-poor grassland communities with their typical flora and fauna have developed on the sandy hills. The area is partly overgrown with hawthorn, broom, blackthorn and wild roses. Bogs and other species-rich wetland biotopes have developed in the moraine valleys and drainless depressions.
The "Birkenmoor" (Birch bog) nature reserve in the northern part of the peninsula and the "Orchideenwiese" (Orchid meadow) nature reserve in the eastern part are of particular importance. The erosion and washouts on the steep bank (active cliff) nourish the Deviner Haken and the adjoining sandbank. Both are resting places for numerous water birds and must therefore not be entered.
Further information, reports and photos on the flora, fauna and fauna on the Devin peninsula can be found here:
Why Namibia? There are savannah landscapes here too!
It is the canopies of the hawthorn that give this impression. Together with the bushes of dog rose, they enliven a lively, animated landscape that is unique in the Strelasund nature reserve.
What wild ungulates do in the savannahs, Gotland sheep do here. Their job is to stop the development of a closed stand of trees and bushes and ensure that the grassland is preserved. The multitude of different natural habitats (cliffs, mudflats, small bogs) and the consequences of a varied history of utilisation make the area today home to a large number of plant and animal species with very different requirements. Whether this remains the case depends on the future care and utilisation of the area.
In order to better protect the beauty of the landscape and the diversity of habitats, the Devin peninsula was designated as a nature reserve in 1993, covering an area of approx. 106 hectares. The protected area is part of the FFH (Flora, Fauna, Habitat) area "Greifswalder Bodden, parts of the Strelasund and the northern tip of Usedom".
Nature conservation
With the designation as a nature reserve, the Devin peninsula is to be preserved and protected as a geomorphologically interesting, highly structured moraine landscape. It is also about preserving natural biotopes (cliffs, small bodies of water, sand hooks, flushing fringes...), near-natural biotopes (kettle bog) and habitats created by human use (rough grassland, orchid meadow) with an extraordinarily rich flora and fauna. The shallow water areas are to be protected as resting and resting places for a variety of water birds.
As the Devin peninsula has developed into a popular excursion destination, the large number of visitors also leads to conflicts with nature conservation concerns. Visitors should therefore be aware of the following points:
- the flora and fauna must not be harmed or disturbed
- Dogs must be kept on a lead in the nature reserve
- Only the signposted paths may be used
- Driving motor vehicles and bicycles is prohibited
- Climbing is not permitted on the cliffs
- the northern section of the beach in the area of the Deviner Haken (bird hook) is closed
- it is forbidden to moor boats, camp, light fires or barbecue
- Please do not leave waste on the beach or in the area. Litter bins are available in the car park
- Swimming is prohibited on the entire shore and beach area
If these principles of behaviour are observed, the "gem" of the Devin Peninsula will remain a habitat for plant and animal communities worthy of protection and at the same time a place where we humans can experience and enjoy nature.
Documentation
One of the tasks of the Förderverein für Landschaft und Naturschutz Devin e.V. is to document the Devin peninsula, particularly from the point of view of nature conservation and environmental protection. Although our association members are often out and about on the peninsula, it is simply impossible for us to produce a truly comprehensive documentation on our own.
We would therefore like to take this opportunity to invite you to support us in our work. Send us an email with your experiences and observations. Send us pictures that capture the beauty of the landscape or describe encounters with animals.
We will organise your contributions thematically and make them available online. We reserve the right to edit your submission. Photo credits are guaranteed.
We look forward to hearing from you by email at info@halbinseldevin.de
