Protected Landscapes, Nature Reserves, and Natural Areas Surrounding Donaumoos

Hungerbrunnen-, Sacken- und Lonetal Protected Area: Geography and Landscape Atlas

Karst limestone valleys and juniper heath corridors

This protected area showcases the unique hydrology and geology of the eastern Swabian Alb. The landscape is defined by its dramatic transition from plateau to valley floor, featuring intermittent stream beds, limestone rocky outcrops, and high-value beech forest ecosystems that form a vital part of the local Natura 2000 network.

Area

9.179 km²

Established

2005

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Mittleres Lonetal Protected Landscape: Swabian Alb Geography and Mapping

A regional protected area within the Alb-Donau-Kreis district

Mittleres Lonetal represents a key protected landscape in Baden-Württemberg, following the linear path of the Lone valley. The area integrates diverse terrain, including broadleaf forest, juniper heaths, and moisture-rich meadow dales, offering a comprehensive look at the rural geography and conservation zoning typical of the Swabian Alb region.

Area

31.581 km²

Established

1989

IUCN

V

Westerstetten Protected Landscape: Mapping the Swabian Alb Karst and Valley Terrain

Protected landscape geography within the Alb-Donau-Kreis region

The Westerstetten protected landscape preserves a layered mosaic of karst plateaus, juniper heath, and dry side valleys in the northern Swabian Alb. This region serves as a connective buffer for local ecosystems, featuring extensive woodland blocks and traditional field hedges that represent the historic character of the Alb-Donau-Kreis countryside.

Area

5.834 km²

Established

1998

IUCN

V

Relief

Upland

Weidmichele, Eichelesäcker und anschließender Talgrund Protected Landscape Atlas

Geographic analysis of Swabian Alb dry valley terrain

Examine the topographical profile of Weidmichele, Eichelesäcker und anschließender Talgrund. This landscape protection area showcases the classic karst dry valley form found in Baden-Württemberg, providing a vital, narrow grassland corridor between upland plateaus and the lower Brenz valley ecosystem.

Area

0.153 km²

Established

1978

IUCN

V

Albuchwiesen: A Protected Landscape of Wetlands and Historical Grasslands on the Swabian Alb

Geographic atlas of the smallest Habitats Directive site in Baden-Württemberg

Albuchwiesen represents a critical refuge for wetland biodiversity outside the Brenz valley, characterized by its scattered parcels of calcareous dry grasslands and wet meadow systems. The area preserves essential remnants of historical land use on the Ostalb, including distinct clay-lined ponds and transitional mires that define this localized plateau terrain.

Area

51.1 km²

Established

2019

Ur-Brenztal Protected Landscape: Geography and River Valley Mapping in Baden-Württemberg

Wetland meadow corridors and ancestral drainage relics

Ur-Brenztal stands as a vital protected landscape in the Landkreis Heidenheim, serving as a rare open grassland passage. The area preserves flat valley floors and low-energy stream channels that provide essential stepping stone habitats for migratory birds and meadow-nesting populations between regional high plateaus.

Area

0.69 km²

Established

2003

IUCN

V

Relief

Lowland

Albtrauf Donzdorf-Heubach: Protected Escarpments and Karst Terrain in the Swabian Alb

Natura 2000 protected area in eastern Baden-Württemberg

The Albtrauf Donzdorf-Heubach site comprises eight protected parcels along the Swabian Alb. Its geography is defined by steep limestone cliffs, dissected valleys, and extensive karst systems that support specialized biodiversity. This protected landscape highlights the complex interaction between Upper Jurassic geological formations and traditional land-use patterns across the Göppingen and Ostalbkreis districts.

Area

25.333 km²

Established

2019

Relief

Highland

Climate

Temperate

Nellingen Protected Landscape: Mapping the Cultural and Karstic Terrain of Central Swabia

Protected landscape geography and regional land use

Nellingen Protected Landscape encompasses over 1,500 hectares of the Swabian Alb, forming an essential link in the regional conservation network. This site provides insight into the karstic landforms of the Kuppenalb, including sinkholes and dry valleys, while preserving a living history of agricultural practices such as orchard management and sheep grazing. This analysis provides a structured overview of the area topography and its significance in the regional landscape context.

Area

15.212 km²

Established

1999

IUCN

V

Relief

Upland

Weigoldsberg Protected Landscape: Mapped Terrain in the Swabian Alb of Baden-Württemberg

A contiguous hill-landscape with integrated Natura 2000 ecological zones

Weigoldsberg functions as a coherent protected landscape unit within the Mittlere Kuppenalb, spanning the transition between upland terrain and the Fils valley. This area integrates near-natural forest, traditional meadow mosaics, and high-value ecological zones such as the Filsalb FFH and Mittlere Schwäbische Alb bird protection area. Gain insights into its relief, land use patterns, and conservation designation.

Area

2.16 km²

Established

1975

IUCN

V

Relief

Mountain

Oberes Filstal-Gemeinde Mühlhausen im Täle: Protected Landscape Geography and Map Data

Swabian Alb regional landscape and habitat mosaic

Analyze the protected landscape of Oberes Filstal-Gemeinde Mühlhausen im Täle through its unique physical terrain and ecological structure. This area in the Göppingen district features a complex interplay of river valleys and plateau uplands, creating a habitat corridor that links the Fils valley with the wider Swabian Alb, supporting diverse flora and traditional land-use patterns.

Area

5.13 km²

Established

1983

IUCN

V

Oberes Filstal-Stadt Wiesensteig: Protected Landscape and Regional Geography Mapping

An atlas overview of the Mittlere Kuppenalb landscape mosaic

Covering roughly 171 hectares around Wiesensteig, this protected area serves as a vital component of the central Swabian Alb geography. The site features an undulating karst terrain characterized by a dense forest mosaic, hedgerows, and historic pastoral features. Through its alignment with local Natura 2000 sites, it forms a cohesive ecological bridge between the upper Fils valley and the surrounding high plateau.

Area

1.71 km²

Established

1985

IUCN

V

Relief

Highland

Oberes Filstal-Gemeinde Gruibingen: Protected Landscape and Regional Geography

Swabian Alb terrain within the Göppingen district

Oberes Filstal-Gemeinde Gruibingen forms a crucial ecological envelope around specialized nature reserves on the Swabian Alb. The landscape is defined by its characteristic kuppen hill-and-basin topography, featuring ridge slopes, stream-cut valleys, and traditional agricultural land that supports high floristic diversity within the Baden-Württemberg region.

Area

1.71 km²

Established

1984

IUCN

V

Sommerschafweide hinter dem Hockenden Stein, Auchtweide Protected Landscape and Map

Historic Swabian Alb pasture and geological Kanzel terrain

Discover the geographic layout of Sommerschafweide hinter dem Hockenden Stein, Auchtweide, a protected area in Baden-Württemberg. This site highlights traditional grazed Magerrasen, mature pasture beeches, and the striking geological rock formation known as the Hockender Stein, offering insight into the conservation of the Mittlere Kuppenalb cultural landscape.

Area

0.065 km²

Established

1955

IUCN

V

Relief

Upland

Neidlinger Tal Protected Landscape: Regional Geography and Mapped Boundaries

A study of the Swabian Alb and Alb foreland transition terrain

The Neidlinger Tal protected landscape represents a vital intersection of natural regions in Baden-Württemberg. Its boundaries encompass a mosaic of forest and farmland, providing a comprehensive look at how historical land use patterns coexist with modern conservation efforts within the Swabian Alb, including various bird and habitat protection designations.

Area

10.959 km²

Established

1975

IUCN

V

Relief

Upland

Wolfschlugen Protected Landscape: Geography and Atlas of the Filder Plateau

Mapped protected lands in Baden-Württemberg Germany

Wolfschlugen stands as a significant protected area in the Esslingen district, preserving traditional orchard meadows and open agricultural plains. The area offers a detailed study of regional land use, featuring a mosaic of meadow habitats and stream-side wetlands essential to the Filder plateau landscape character.

Area

0.51 km²

Established

1985

IUCN

V

Weilheim an der Teck auf Gemarkungen Weilheim und Hepsisau Protected Landscape Atlas

Volcanic hill geography in the Baden-Württemberg region

This protected area safeguards a richly structured landscape where rolling foothills meet the steep escarpments of the Swabian Alb. Centered on the volcanic peaks of Limburg and Egelsberg, the region maintains a vital balance between forest corridors and open agricultural plains within the district of Esslingen.

Area

13.615 km²

Established

1979

IUCN

V

Donau zwischen Munderkingen und Riedlingen: Geography of a Danube Protected Landscape

Exploring floodplain habitats and Swabian Alb limestone terrain.

Spanning over 1,400 hectares, Donau zwischen Munderkingen und Riedlingen represents a vital protected network along the upper Danube. This area is defined by the sharp transition between dynamic wetland floodplains and the dry, calcareous grasslands of the surrounding plateau, offering a comprehensive look at the riparian and geological character of this historic German river corridor.

Area

14.33 km²

Established

2019

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Untermarchtal Protected Landscape: Mapped Geography of the Upper Danube Valley

A regional conservation corridor within Baden-Württemberg

The Untermarchtal protected landscape features a striking transition between the broad Danube valley and the steep slopes of the Swabian Alb. This area protects diverse landforms including limestone hillsides and alluvial terrain, serving as an essential connective element in a broader network of protected lands along the upper Danube river.

Area

0.231 km²

Established

2005

IUCN

V

Ohmden-Holzmaden Protected Landscape: Swabian Alb Foothill Mapping

A diverse mosaic of traditional orchards and stream valleys

Ohmden-Holzmaden encompasses a vital protected landscape in the Esslingen district, defined by the Trinkbach, Seebach, and Aubach valleys. This geography of traditional orchards, meadows, and hedgerows maintains an open, structured rural habitat that serves as a critical refuge within the broader Swabian Alb foothill region of Germany.

Area

3.111 km²

Established

1993

IUCN

V

Relief

Upland

Öde im Hartberg Protected Landscape and Geological Features of the Middle Swabian Alb

Juniper heathland and limestone outcrops in Baden-Württemberg

Situated at the mouth of the Fischburgtal, Öde im Hartberg is a significant protected area on the Middle Swabian Alb. The site preserves a unique mosaic of open heath and successional woodland, anchored by the Hartbergfels and Seeburger Nägelesfels limestone monuments. It offers a clear look at the geological and conservation landscape of this southwestern German region.

Area

0.101 km²

Established

1955

IUCN

V