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Land use, climate and geology
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Differences in the
geology, climate, hydrology and biogeography of the area
explain the variety of natural milieux and landscapes
in the Reserve.
Geology
Sandstone formations, deposited some 200 million years
ago at the beginning of the Secondary Era, are the major
geological component. More or less resistant to erosion,
the sandstone is apparent in typical table-like land formations
and ruiniform escarpments. These clearly recognisable
forms are often topped by the ruins of feudal castles
that look down over a network of narrow, well-wooded valleys
with flat, wet bottoms. The sandstone mountains are surrounded
by predominantly limestone sedimentary formations. The
relief is thus gentler, the forest being replaced by piedmont-type
crops (for example, the transitional zone from forest
to vines on the edge of the Haardt). There is a strong
contrast between the large central forested section with
its sandstone outcrops and the surrounding limestone piedmont.
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| A ruiniform sandstone
rock, © Yvon Meyer |
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Hydrology
The mountain range is effectively a massive sponge
and source of numerous rivers and streams. Some of the
rainwater soaks into the sandstone, a permeable rock,
coming back to the surface again in the form of springs
that water a slope or a valley, or even feed a lake.
The area being well-watered, there are numerous springs,
lakes, peat-bogs and marshes all over the Reserve.
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Climatology
The Reserve has a temperate climate under a strong
continental influence. Several microclimates exist given
the local topography and the specific exposure in particular
areas. Thus the very continental climate in the Bitche
area, where masses of cold air tend to lie in the bowl-like
valley bottoms, has frequent late frosts and serious risk
of summer drought. Climatology can also explain the presence
of peat-bogs and continental-type forest habitats.
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| Mountains and forests,
© NPP |
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Biogeography
Biogeography studies the origin and distribution of
species. The milieux in the reserve, given their geographical
situation, are Nordic in character. It is thus normal
to find Nordic and Nordic-Continental species, an indication
of the area's biogeographical interest. However these
continental species live near many originally Atlantic
weather-system species.
The area's natural characteristics thus explain the biological
and scientific interest of its flora and fauna and of
the various milieux in which they live. This important
genetic heritage clearly needs to be preserved for future
generations. Human impact having been historically low
in the area there is a wealth of natural elements that
have successfully survived the centuries and even the
millennia. We must make a point of protecting them for
the future.
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Physical milieu 