introduction | protecting threatened species | safeguarding biodiversity | improving water quality | enhancing the landscape | managing the archaeological heritage | restoring land for recreation | reducing neighbourhood noise | blending into the landscape | informing the community | creating nature reserves | conserving geological heritage | reducing environmental impacts
Creating Nature Reserves
BACKGROUND
The
Oberbacher Quarry is situated above Daerlingen near to Interlaken, south
of the Thunersee. The quarrying activities started in 1900. In the beginning
clay was extracted 
and
used in the brickyard and later on the marl was employed for the production
of cement in the adopted brickyard. The lime which had been required for
the cement came from the quarry situated nearby. The materials from both
quarries were mixed in Oberbacher and transported by railway to the cement
plant one kilometre away.
Cement production was ceased in 1978. Gravel was extracted up until 1992 and transported for further processing to the gravel pit situated nearby.
ACTION
After the cessation of quarrying activities, the 400,000m large area was rearranged according to ecologic criteria. Then, based on an agreement with the Office for Nature Protection, it was turned into a temporary nature reserve for 30 years (until 2022) and has been supported by the operating company. After this period further quarrying will be possible.
An expert for nature protection, consulted by the operating company, is in charge of the maintenance and care of the area. The machine operators from the company, regional groups of nature protection and pupils from the surrounding schools together take care of the reserve.
The work in the protected area consists particularly in removing the emerging groves from the area, elimination of the neophytes, as well as thinning out the groups of bushes and clearing the unnecessary ballast from the outskirts of the wood.
RESULTS
The development of the area in the meantime has been very satisfying. One of the most important populations of the yellow-bellied toad in the Swiss alpine region, as well as the rare hazel dormouse have made their homes in the area. Certain rare and protected plants flourish here, including Marsh Helleborine or Willow Gentian Height.
The school pupils and nature protection groups are keen on visiting this region for guided tours and work commitments.
introduction | protecting threatened species | safeguarding biodiversity | improving water quality | enhancing the landscape | managing the archaeological heritage | restoring land for recreation | reducing neighbourhood noise | blending into the landscape | informing the community | creating nature reserves | conserving geological heritage | reducing environmental impacts
