Last updated: June 2024
The biotope Schladitz is the regenerated remains of a former installation for the dehydration of sewage sludge implemented in 1952 by the communal waterworks company which used to pump its sewage sludge into the municipality of Rackwitz North of Leipzig. Upon its termination (1990), the company conducted large regeneration works of the contaminated sites from 1991 until 2011. The area was renaturalized, a biotope was implemented with plants species to retain the toxic substances. Now the area is also used for nature experience, observation and environmental education for children and adults (4, 7).
Source: http://www.biotop-schladitz.de/fuehrungen
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- In-land wetlands, peatlands, swamps, and moors
Key challenges
- Environmental quality
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Conversion of former industrial areas
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Improvements to water quality
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Tourism support
Focus
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Project objectives
1. Natural rehabilitation and renovation of the contaminated wetland area (1);
2. Through regeneration measures the implementation of a green/blue corridor reconnecting the area with adjacent biotopes (2);
3. Creation an interactive educational service young visitors who want to learn more about sustainable development and nature conservation (3);
4. Maintenance of wetland biotope as an important retreat for water, vading and singing birds (2).
Implementation activities
After the plant's termination, the waterworks company was confronted with removing the toxic substances of heavy metals of the former sewage sludge and decided to implement an ecological solution, favoured with the NABU Leipzig and other environmental associations. This solution retrieves highly toxic substances from the soil by strategically using plants that have the capacity to absorb these substances (called phytoremediation), further organic compounds are mineralized by biological processes. The whole area on 65 ha is now a wetland biotiope with several ponds that accommodate a variety of flaura and fauna (7). Since 2012 (end of the regeneration process), guided tours and project days are organized where participants can experiment with nature at interactive educational and observation stations. Also several measures for increasing biodiversity were set. To maintain the water bodies, groundwater is continuously pumped into them via solar and wind energy (2, 3).
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Public sector institution
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Citizen science
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The intervention was initiated by the Leipziger Wasserwerke, the water works company which is a subsidiary of the city of Leipzig formerly managing the sewage treatment. In 1994, in cooperation with Bioplanta GmbH they designed the solution for its contaminated sites and renovated the area. Environmental organizations such as the Local group of NABU supported this ecological solution. The citizens are involved as participants of the guided tours and the nature experience stations. (1, 3, 7)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(According to national law, the "Bundes-Bodenschutzgesetz (BBodSchG)", contaminated sites, such as terminated waste disposal systems are required to reduce or eliminate harmful substances via decontamination measures and prevent the spread of these harmful substances (8). )
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Unknown
Type of funding
- Unknown
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased number of protection areas
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
- Increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Reduce financial cost for urban management
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (2017). Biotop Schladitz. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
2. Gerth, A., Dietze, H., Grosser, W. and Hebner, A. (2010). ‘Schladitzer Klärschlammbecken – gesicherte Atlast und artenreiches Biotop’. Leipzig. Website not available
3. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (2017). NATURnah erleben - Biotop Schladitz der interaktive Umweltlehrpark. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
4. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (2017). Wissenswertes. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
5. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (n/a). Angewandte Pflanzenbiotechnologie zur Umweltreinigung – Phytoremediationsprojekt. Leipzig. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
6. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (n/a). ‘Das Biotop Schladitz’. Leipzig. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link.
7. Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU). (2017). Ökologisch und ökonomisch gelungenes Projekt. Klärschlammdeponie Schladitz ist heute ein wertvolles Feuchtbiotop. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
8. Umweltbundesamt (2016) Altlasten und ihre Sanierung. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
9. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (n/a). Symbolcharakter des Biotops und Vogel des Jahres 2013 – Die Bekassine, Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
10. LifePR. (2011). Faszinierende Pflanzen- und Tierwelt: Biotop Schladitz öffnet für Besucher. Life PR. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
11. Auswaldstation. 2019. Rundgang im Biotop Schladitz. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
2. Gerth, A., Dietze, H., Grosser, W. and Hebner, A. (2010). ‘Schladitzer Klärschlammbecken – gesicherte Atlast und artenreiches Biotop’. Leipzig. Website not available
3. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (2017). NATURnah erleben - Biotop Schladitz der interaktive Umweltlehrpark. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
4. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (2017). Wissenswertes. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
5. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (n/a). Angewandte Pflanzenbiotechnologie zur Umweltreinigung – Phytoremediationsprojekt. Leipzig. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
6. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (n/a). ‘Das Biotop Schladitz’. Leipzig. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link.
7. Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU). (2017). Ökologisch und ökonomisch gelungenes Projekt. Klärschlammdeponie Schladitz ist heute ein wertvolles Feuchtbiotop. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
8. Umweltbundesamt (2016) Altlasten und ihre Sanierung. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
9. Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH. (n/a). Symbolcharakter des Biotops und Vogel des Jahres 2013 – Die Bekassine, Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
10. LifePR. (2011). Faszinierende Pflanzen- und Tierwelt: Biotop Schladitz öffnet für Besucher. Life PR. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
11. Auswaldstation. 2019. Rundgang im Biotop Schladitz. Accessed on October 12, 2020, Source link
Source: https://www.l.de/gruppe/wir-fuer-leipzig/veranstaltungskalender/veranstaltung/mounted_games_spannender_reitsport_im_biotop_schladitz/5,1,YToxOntzOjg6ImV2ZW50X2lkIjtzOjM6IjIzNyI7fQ%3D%3D
Source: http://www.biotop-schladitz.de/
Source: http://www.biotop-schladitz.de/
Source: http://www.biotop-schladitz.de/
Source: http://www.biotop-schladitz.de/