Page 30 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

28  INTRODUCING GERM AN Y A POR TR AIT OF GERM AN Y  29

Flora and Fauna German Wildlife Wild boars are mammals of Deer live in leafy
The fauna of Germany is typical the pig family, living in and mixed forests
Germany is a vast country whose varied geography of central Europe, with a variety boggy forests. They feed and are one of the
has given rise to a great diversity of flora and fauna. of woodland, wetland and mainly on acorns, most common
It is famous for its forests, many of mixed deciduous Alpine birds. Of the larger beechnuts and the small mammals seen
in Germany.
mammals, visitors are
animals that live in the
trees, including oak, beech and birch. Around most likely to see ground cover of
31 per cent of the country is forested. The Alpine deer, squirrels and the forest.
regions have a rich variety of wild flowers, with foxes. Small popu- Marmots live on
vegetation growing
lations of rarer
meadow species a particular feature in spring Alpine raven species such as in the high Alpine
and summer. On the northern peat moors, heaths lynx and European meadows. Rodents of
and heathers are common. Germany is home to a beaver exist, but are threatened the squirrel family, they Lynx are distinguished by small
wide range of wildlife, including wild boar, lynx and with extinction. Wolf and elk now sleep in burrows at tufts of hair on the tips of their
pass through sparsely populated
ears. These mammals are
night and whistle
marmots. Many valuable wildlife areas have now regions in the north and east. loudly when anxious. becoming ever rarer.
been placed under protection.

Coastal Regions Lakes Uplands Mountains
Germany’s coasts vary considerably: the North Most of Germany’s lakes are grouped in the Upland landscapes dominate the southern part Mountain ranges in Germany vary both in age
Sea coast is predominantly flat with drained northern part of the country, mainly in the of Germany, including Bavaria. Here, the climate and in height above sea level. Older, not very
land, dikes and islands; the Baltic Sea coast is Mecklenburg region, where they are divided is mild, and forests cover nearly a third of the high mountains covered with forests predominate.
hillier with sandy inlets and cliffs. Together with from the south by the mountain ranges, rifts and region. In this picturesque and popular part of The Bavarian Alps are higher and more recent.
differences in tides and temperature, these valleys of the Central Uplands. However, the the country, winter-sports centres and spa resorts Here sub-alpine plants grow, with alpine plants
variations determine the variety of species largest lake in Germany – the Bodensee (Lake are common. at higher altitudes.
found along coastal regions. Constance) – is situated in the south, on the
border with Austria and Switzerland. Beech is one of the Gentian, with its intensely
commonest trees blue trumpet-like flowers, is
Cross-leaved heath Yellow floating heart found in Germany’s one of the most impressive
is a species of heather grows in shallow, forests of mixed plants to be seen in the Alps.
that is commonly found fertile water. Its habitats deciduous species. It is pollinated by bumblebees.
growing on the moors are disappearing but
and peat bogs and in the it still survives in the
damp coastal forests of Rhine basin and on Edelweiss
northern Germany. the lower Elbe. Holly, the symbol of is a small
Christmas with its glossy flowering
Sea lavender is one of leaves and scarlet plant with
the salt-tolerant species Yellow flag berries, is found in flat, white flowers and
that grow along is a protected forests of beech or grey-green woolly
Germany’s North species of iris beech and fir in the west leaves. It grows high
Sea coast. that is found of the country. up in the Alps.
amongst
reeds and Hepatica is a protected
The white water in damp plant in Germany. It Rhododendron hirsutum
Sea holly is a beautiful thistle- lily, with its elegant woodlands, blooms in early spring is a low, dense variety of
like plant with an amethyst floating flowers and particularly in and the seeds of the blue, rhododendron, one of a
hue. It is commonly found lush foliage, adorns older, mixed star-like flowers are group of plants that grow
growing in sand dunes. lakes and reservoirs. species forests. distributed by ants. at sub-Alpine levels.

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