Nuremberg (dpa/lby) - With the designation of three new protected areas, the Free State of Bavaria has completed its network of natural forests. This means that 83,000 hectares of ecologically particularly valuable forests in Bavaria are now under permanent protection, said Forest Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) on Friday in Nuremberg. The three new areas are an area in the Nuremberg Reichswald, the deciduous forests on the Rodach slopes near Nordhalben in Upper Franconia and the alluvial forests between Neu-Ulm and Illertissen.
"Our natural forests are biodiversity hotspots. They should develop freely and undisturbed in the future and be open to all citizens as places to relax," said Kaniber. Wood is no longer used permanently on the natural forest areas. Dead trees remain standing or lying as deadwood in the forest and serve as habitats for animals and plants.
