Harslebener Berge und Steinholz nordwestlich Quedlinburg
Due to the large size of the Natura 2000 area and the presence of other protected habitat types and species, project actions focus exclusively on the Grosser Thekenberg sub-site (3.75 ha). The sub-site harbors seven small subpopulations extending over 400 meters across varying slopes and plant communities. As the primary donor population in the Harz Mountains region, Grosser Thekenberg is essential for the long-term survival of Jurinea cyanoides in the area. Current threats stem from infrequent and unadjusted grazing, which reduces bare soil availability and overall habitat quality.
Site Management
Conservation interventions aim to boost the population by 50 % while expanding both the colonizable area and bare soil cover. Measures include optimizing grazing regimes into an adaptive conservation tool, supplemented by late-May deep mowing to reduce competition. Mechanical removal of lichens, mosses and plant litter will expose bare soil, complemented by targeted seed sowing to strengthen population density.
The site will also play a key role in broader scientific and restoration actions, serving as a primary source for seed collection for regional reintroductions, seed banking at the Berlin Botanical Garden, hybridization studies, genetic leaf sampling, soil analysis and long-term population monitoring.
Map
Project partners
Financing
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.