Clearance cairn

Steinriegel are stratifications of had picked up stones and shape the image of numerous southern German vineyards. Depending on the region they are called stone -rattling, rock slides, roller walls or Karmauern.

Formation

From the late Middle Ages was grown in Germany on less favorable positions increased wine. This was only possible when the vineyards (often flat ground, limestone soils ) were always hacked. Larger stones that came out of the soil by soil erosion and frost heave were hacked out and piled in the fall line of the slopes along the property lines. This often several feet high and wide collections had the welcome side effect to regulate the climate. The stones heated during the day on that stored heat and gave it again at night. In addition, they held cold winds from the land. Occasionally there are also stone walls of about 1 m height at a right angle to the stone bars and running parallel to the edge of the slope. These were used in addition as a barrier against the cold air from the high levels that would otherwise be drained by their higher weight in the valleys. Be found on the sides of Steinriegel rare with plates laid out trenches for the water that drains to prevent runoff during heavy rains the soil of valuable. One of the longest Steinriegel was measured at 234 m in the valley at Pfitzinger Niederstetten. It is unclear why the mounds were created in this form and the " vintners " have their work force is not usual, used in running across the slope terraces, as in the steep vineyards.

Decline and current significance

The introduction of phylloxera in the 19th century led to a decline of viticulture and a reduction in the vineyards. By removal and use of the stones, the increased residential development of hillsides and farmland consolidation disappeared as a result many places the rock bolt. Where this is not the case, the rock bolts are indeed overgrown, but thus use historically significant relief forms are preserved. So Steinriegel have a core of the Earth, which indicates the original surface of the earth at the beginning of viticulture time. In order to counteract the increasing encroachment is through conservation representatives and local authorities tried ( in addition to mechanical slope maintenance measures) to promote grazing with sheep.

Since 1992, the stone fences in Baden- Württemberg are according to § 32 of the State Nature Conservation Act as natural monuments and habitats and appear on the Red List of habitat types.

Flora and Fauna

Occasionally the bare bar for specialty crops were used. So Karl Esslinger wrote in his History of the Upper Office Gerabronn: " By 1750, as much quinces were in the area of low- Stetten on the stone walls located between the vineyards pulled that from them wine was prepared. " But when Steinriegel not piled or otherwise kept free be, hedges, bushes and forest quickly gain the upper hand. The landscape maintenance is expensive and is only performed by a few idealists. This helps remove further increasingly important for fauna and flora open, dry, warm, woody plants poor locations.

The beginning usually make undemanding species such as White Stonecrop, Sempervivum globiferum, Tripmadam and Biting Stonecrop. Eyelash Melick summarizes also easily walk and mullein are frequently encountered. Then follow as the sloe bushes, wild blackberries and white clematis. Hops, which had been planted earlier times as an additional revenue source to the edges of the stone fences, these overgrown now quite common everywhere. The last phase in the growth of Steinriegel landscape trees are such as walnut, cherry and dogwood as well as hazelnut bushes and wild roses. Less common are hawthorn, privet, elder and plum trees.

The Steinriegel landscape is home to all occurring in Germany warbler species. Turncoats are numerous, since they is abundant food in the form of ants available. Fence lizards and slow-worms feel the warm stones as well as their predator, the smooth snake. The Little Owl was in former times frequently, but has since disappeared for unknown reasons from the Steinriegel landscape.

Most hole

A Most hole in southern Germany called a niche that was installed artfully with larger blocks of stone in the construction of a rock bolt. It was used for cold holding of the must and the food for those working in the vineyard hackers and helpers. It was built on the shady side of a rock bolt to ensure the highest possible cooling. Per vineyard there was a hole must.