Open land (and semi-open land) in post-mining landscapes can provide a habitat for many rare and endangered species. Examples include the tawny pipit, wheatear, natterjack toad and smooth snake. Without maintenance or extensive utilisation, these areas will in most cases develop into forest and thus be lost to open land species. For this reason, we are working on behalf of LfLUG to determine how much open land is currently available in Saxony’s post-mining landscapes. We are analysing which species can be described as target species in these areas. We are interested in which nature conservation projects are currently contributing to the preservation of the areas and which management methods can be used to keep the areas open. We are developing a concept of measures for exemplary areas. Finally, we need to answer the question of how such areas and projects can be integrated into regional development.
