Ziegenberg (Saxony-Anhalt)

The Mountain Goats at Heimburg is a 88.4 -hectare nature reserve between Heimburg and Benzingerode on the northern edge of the Harz in the district of Harz, in Saxony- Anhalt.

The nature reserve situated in the conservation area and resin Vorländer has only semi- dry grasslands, scrub hallways and pine forests also wetland areas. It lies on the long hill area of the eponymous mountain goats ( 315.7 m above sea level. NN ) in Heimburg in the southeast and the Struve Berg ( 305.7 m above sea level. NN ) at Benzingerode in the northwest.

Geology

As part of the northern Aufrichtungszone the resin of the mountain goat arose during the mountain development of the resin. Meanwhile uplift the horizontal layers of surrounding land were mainly composed, erected of limestone. The northern part of the mountain goat is characterized by silt and marl.

Flora

In the nature reserve of Lorraine flax ( Linum leonii ) has its northernmost distribution area.

Among the beyond -occurring plants most lesser saxifrage (Pimpinella Saxifraga ), the Large-flowered (Prunella grandiflora ), the common Frans gentian ( Gentianopsis ciliata ), the Sichelblättriges Hare's Ear ( Bupleurum falcatum ) and the silver thistle ( Carlina acaulis).

Use and conservation area

Shortly before the fall of the mountain in the direction Benzingerode pull the remains of ramparts of an existing protection in the 10th century castle, the Struvenburg the terrain. After clearing the forest of the mountain for centuries served as grazing land. Later parts of the area with black pine (Pinus nigra) were planted and created quarries.

The task of the appointed 1 January 1982, the reserve is " the protection and conservation of dry and semi-dry grasslands with their sub-Mediterranean plant communities and a diverse insect fauna " and a protection of geological features. To this end, the mountain is occasionally grazed by sheep, beyond bushes will be removed. The pine forest of the southern slope is to be converted into a steppe forests with sessile oak. Other areas are left to a perfectly natural development.

In the area of the crest of the mountain goat is developed partly by two parallel paths. At the foot of the southern slope a dirt road runs.