Year
2017
Abstract
The special conservation area LU0001015 “Valley of the Ernz Blanche,” covering an area of 2,014 hectares, includes the forested massifs surrounding the Ernz Blanche valley between Fischbach and Ermsdorf, as well as the agricultural landscape extending over the Keuper region north of Medernach. This Natura 2000 site is contiguous with the areas LU0001020 “Limestone Grasslands of the Junglinster Region” and LU0002005 “Valley of the Ernz Blanche from Bourglinster to Fischbach.”
The area is characterized by the rocky slopes of Luxembourg sandstone that border the narrow valleys shaped by the Ernz Blanche and its tributaries. These rocky slopes host highly specialized vegetation, including the Tunbridge filmy fern (Trichomanes speciosum), a species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. They also serve as nesting sites for the Eurasian eagle-owl and peregrine falcons.
The main ecological value of the site lies in its forest habitats, particularly the residual alluvial forests along the Ernz Blanche. On the surrounding slopes and plateaus, ancient beech forests dominate. These provide habitat and hunting grounds for three species of Myotis bats, all listed in Annex II.
The site is also of major importance for amphibians, including the great crested newt, which is very rare in Luxembourg, and the natterjack toad, for which the Ernzen quarry represents the only known breeding site in the country.
The area is characterized by the rocky slopes of Luxembourg sandstone that border the narrow valleys shaped by the Ernz Blanche and its tributaries. These rocky slopes host highly specialized vegetation, including the Tunbridge filmy fern (Trichomanes speciosum), a species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. They also serve as nesting sites for the Eurasian eagle-owl and peregrine falcons.
The main ecological value of the site lies in its forest habitats, particularly the residual alluvial forests along the Ernz Blanche. On the surrounding slopes and plateaus, ancient beech forests dominate. These provide habitat and hunting grounds for three species of Myotis bats, all listed in Annex II.
The site is also of major importance for amphibians, including the great crested newt, which is very rare in Luxembourg, and the natterjack toad, for which the Ernzen quarry represents the only known breeding site in the country.
Publisher
Gouvernement du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
Source type
Grey Literature