SUSTAINABILITY

FEATURES
Cooperation between Nations
Conservation of the Senne Training Area
The extensive heathland habitat on the Senne in bloom © Dr Gerhard Lakmann
The Senne Training Area is a beautiful
landscape of woodland and sandy
heath with such a rich variety of
species that it is considered to be one
of the most important areas for nature
conservation in northern Germany.
The Senne was formed as a result
of glacial action in the last two Ice
Ages depositing huge quantities of
low nutrient, acidic sand that was
consequently modelled by wind
and rain into inland dunes and brook
valleys. This made for attractive
countryside full of wildlife.
Although human activity and livestock
helped create a heathland, the poor
quality of soil meant that the Senne
was not particularly suitable for either
settlement or farming, which was the
main reason why the area was chosen
for militar y training in 1892.
At the end of World War II, the Senne
Training Area was taken over from the
Wehrmacht for ongoing military use
by the British Army of the Rhine. In
the mid-1950s, with the formation of
the Bundeswehr, increasing numbers
of troops were using the training
area, which was expanded and reconfigured
with new field-firing
ranges, roads and infrastructure for
tracked vehicles. Before this time, not
much consideration was given to the
protection of the environment, but
concerns were beginning to arise about
soil erosion, water quality and damage
being caused to forests and heath.
In the late 1950s, the Land
Maintenance Team (LMT ) was formed
with the principle aim of protec ting
open areas of the training area
from erosion and forest succession.
Although the team were employees
of the German Federal Government,
they were funded and tasked by
the British Forces, so this mark s
the beginning of a co -operative
relationship in estate management
that persists to this day. In 1965, the
LMT was joined by the Engineer
The Pasque flower © Dr Gerhard Lakmann
42
Sanctuary 44 • 2015