Editing Harz National Park (section)

== Ecology ==

=== Flora ===
[[File:Scharfenstein 2.jpg|thumb|View of the Scharfenstein]]
The natural forests of the High Harz consist mainly of [[Norway spruce]] (''Picea abies'') and [[European rowan|rowan]] (''Sorbus aucuparia''); deciduous trees only dominate below {{Höhe|600|DE-NN|link=true}}. Since the Harz was partly [[deforestation|deforested]] in the 19th century by ore mining, the count's head forester, Hans Dietrich von Zanthier, developed the concept of reforestation with fast-growing spruce trees. This led to the now widespread spruce monocultures. Unlike "Harz pine", the pines introduced from other regions cope less well with snow and ice conditions in the Harz and are thus more prone to [[bark beetle]] infestation.

Currently 82 percent of the forest consists of spruce stands. Only 12 percent of the trees are beeches. The remaining 6 percent are species such as [[oak]], [[rowan]] or [[birch]] (as at December 2007).

There are various vegetation zones in the Harz National Park. In the sub-alpine area above 1050 metres is the "[[tree line|battle zone]]" of the spruce tree. Here it is not uncommon to find trees over 250 years old and bent into bizarre shapes by the wind. But predominant here are the [[dwarf shrub]] heaths and raised [[bog]]s (''Hochmoore''). The altimontane [[Altitudinal zonation|vegetation zone]] is found between {{Höhe|750|DE-NN|link=true}} and {{Höhe|1050|DE-NN}}, dominated by spruce. These areas can be found in the vicinity of Schierke and [[Torfhaus]]. Not until the montane zone between {{Höhe|450|DE-NN}} and {{Höhe|750|DE-NN}} and the submontane zone is the vegetation dominated by beech forests. Today's beech stands grow primarily on acidic soil. The most commonly encountered forest type is the ''Hainsimsen'' beech forest. At heights above 700 m it is usually adjacent to spruce-beech mixed woodland. But in the national park this area has shrunk to just a few residual stands and has been largely replaced by spruce. In the region of Ilsenburg spruce monoculture occurs even down to {{Höhe|230|DE-NN}}. In these zones the spruce is not native and, as a result of [[climate change]], it has suffered increasingly from bark beetle infestation. Currently the National Park Service is having these areas reforested to encourage the original beech and maple, that used to dominate them, to resettle.<ref>Auskunft vom Fachbereich 2 Forschung und Wissenschaft der Nationalparkverwaltung im März 2008</ref><ref name=Waldentwicklung>[http://www.nationalpark-harz.de/de/naturschuetzen/waldentwicklung/#intNavBreadcrumb Nationalpark Harz: Waldentwicklung]</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalpark-harz.de/de/naturschuetzen/waelder/#intNavBreadcrumb Nationalpark Harz: Wälder]</ref>

The Harz is home to the [[Pulsatilla alpina|Brocken anemone]] (''Pulsatilla alpina'' subsp. ''alba''), which grows in Germany only on the plateau of the Brocken. Its survival has however been especially endangered since [[German reunification]] by the onset of tourism. The [[Brocken Garden]], a [[botanical garden]] on the summit of the Brocken, deals mainly with the protection of plant species and restoration of the summit area.<ref>Vgl. Gunter Karste (2006): ''Der Brockengarten im Nationalpark Harz''. In: Sachsen-Anhalt 16 (2006), H. 4, p. 2–4. {{ISSN|0940-7960}}</ref>

Especially valuable for nature conservation, are the raised bogs formed by the restoration of former marshland. The conditions are favorable for this, as the bogs in the park are less impacted by human use than the bogs of the Lower Saxony plain. When wood became scarce in the Harz, the locals tried to take advantage of the peat bogs. This proved unprofitable due to the low [[calorific value]] of peat and the weather conditions in the High Harz. The bogs in the Harz are of international significance by virtue of their distinctiveness and flora.<ref>Vgl. Sabine Bernsdorf, Nadine Böhlmann, Ralph Meissner, Wolfgang Merbach (2003): ''Moorforschung im Harz; Entwicklung und Schutz der Moore im Nationalpark Hochharz''. In: [http://www.verwaltung.uni-halle.de/DEZERN1/PRESSE/jour-403.pdf Scientia Halensis 11 (2003), H. 4, p. 21–22, pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719103742/http://www.verwaltung.uni-halle.de/DEZERN1/PRESSE/jour-403.pdf |date=2011-07-19 }}. {{ISSN|0945-9529}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalpark-harz.de/de/naturschuetzen/moore/#intNavBreadcrumb Nationalpark Harz: Moore]</ref>

=== Fauna ===
[[File:Luchsstein.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Lynx Stone of 1818]]
[[File:Lynx lynx.jpg|thumb|The lynx – once more in the wild in the Harz]]
The [[European lynx|lynx]] now lives wild again in the Harz, having been eradicated from the mountains since the early 19th century. The last report of a successful lynx hunt in the Harz dates to 1818. In an eleven-day hunt, in which almost 200 people took part, a male lynx was brought down at [[Lautenthal]]. The so-called [[Lynx Stone]] recalls the success of that particular hunt. In 1999 it was decided to reintroduce the lynx. Between 2000 and 2004 alone, 19 were released from zoo breeding programmes. Before their release the animals are prepared in a large enclosure in order to acclimatized them to freedom. In addition there is a viewing enclosure near the National Park forest restaurant on the [[Rabenklippe]] where the shy cats can also be observed by visitors to the park. Since 2002, there have been several instances of kittens born in the wild. In March, a male lynx was fitted with a [[Global Positioning System|GPS]] transmitter, so precise details can now be obtained about the range of an animal. The project team receives information via SMS from the transmitter.

Another reintroduction project was the capercaillie, which died out in the Harz in 1920–1930. Its reintroduction began in 1978. Over the years about 1,000 birds have been reared and set free. In spite of the number of birds the population was not assessed as stable. Due to the lack of success, the project was closed in 2003.<ref>Vgl. Ralf Siano (2006): ''Überlebensdauer, Todesursachen und Raumnutzung gezüchteter Auerhühner (Tetrao urogalluns L.), ausgewildert im Nationalpark Harz''. In: Vogelwarte 44 (2006), H. 3, p. 145–158. {{ISSN|0049-6650}}</ref>

The Harz is now one of Germany's most important habitats for the [[European wild cat|wild cat]]. It is classified in the Federal Republic of Germany as seriously endangered. It is assumed that the wild cat in the Harz has a stable population. It is widespread throughout the region, preferring those areas which are warmer, richer, more varied and better supplied with nutrients (lower lying deciduous forest with greater food availability).

In addition to lynx and wild cat, [[red deer]] and [[roe deer]] are also important species in the Harz National Park.

The most common [[invasive species]] is the [[raccoon]], but occasionally the [[raccoon dog]] also occurs. The [[mouflon]], which was in the 1930s located in different districts of the Harz for hunting reasons, is also found in the park.

=== Ecological problems ===
[[File:Baumleichen4.JPG|thumb|Trees damaged by bark beetle]]
[[File:Braunlage - Wurmberg 01.jpg|thumb|Dead spruce forest (Picea abies) in Harz National Park]]
Recently, the Harz National Park has suffered from bark beetle outbreaks as well as acid rain and other environmental problems. The [[bark beetle]] is on the rise here due to climate change and global warming. Since 2006, there has been increased bark beetle gradation. [[Hurricane Kyrill]] also caused severe damage in the region. Stands of trees, especially spruce, were torn down over wide areas. The National Park management came under fire from the local communities as a result of the bark beetle measures that were subsequently needed. In particular, the National Park community at [[Ilsenburg]] criticized the use of technology (e.g. [[harvester (forestry)|harvesters]]). Because of the inaccessibility of the terrain there was really no other way to haul the wind blown tree trunks from the affected areas.<ref>Gemeinsames Faltblatt von Nationalpark Harz und NABU Sachsen-Anhalt zur Borkenkäferfrage im Nationalpark Harz:[http://sachsen-anhalt.nabu.de/themen/nationalparkharz/borkenkaefer/]</ref>

In the so-called natural development zone of the Harz National Park, which surrounds the core area, bark beetle measures are taken where necessary, and plantations are established where in order to encourage the natural development of the forest. To protect these beech and oak groves, national park wildlife management is required. Accusations that private or state hunts had taken place in the park turned out to be unfounded.<ref>Pressemeldung des Nationalparks Harz: [http://www.lifepr.de/pressemeldungen/nationalpark-harz/boxid-23238.html Keine „DDR-Staatsjagd unter dem Brocken“]</ref>