Site: Helmestausee Berga-Kelbra

Designation date: 31-07-1978

Coordinates: 51°26'N 011°00'E

Elevation: 150 m

Area: 1,453 ha

Location: The site is located on the border between the two Bundesländer (Federal Lands) Thüringen and Sachsen-Anhalt, 20 km west-southwest of Sangerhausen.

Criteria: 4 ,5 ,6

Importance: The salt meadows within the site contain the typical plant communities of central European inland salt areas, including the Saliconietum europaeae germanicum, Astero-Puccinellietum distantis, Junco-Glaucetum maritimae and others harbouring Halimione pedunculata. Notable species occurring at the site include Haliaeetus albicilla (globally threatened), Ciconia ciconia, C. nigra, Milvus milvus, Circus cyaneus, Pandion haliaetus, Falco peregrinus, Sterna albifrons and Gallinago gallinago. The site is an important staging area for waterbirds on spring and autumn migration, as well as a breeding site. Over 89 species of waterbirds have been recorded. The site regularly harbours more then 20,000 waterbirds.

Wetland Types: 6 ,4 ,Ts ,P ,M (dominant types shown in bold)

The site is situated in the floodplain of the River Helme, and consists of a flood protection reservoir with associated reedbeds and frequently flooded wet meadows. The area also includes two saline springs and salt meadows surrounded by rough meadows and agricultural fields.

Biological/Ecological notes: The area is eutrophic and has widespread Phragmites australis and Carex spp. fields too. Waterbird species include Tachybaptus ruficollis (max. 400), Anas crecca (max. 5,000), A. platyrhynchos (max. 25,000), Aythya ferina (max. 8,000), Fulica atra (max. 12,000), Vanellus vanellus (max. 10,000) and Calidris alpina (max. 1,000). Breeding birds include Ciconia ciconia, Anas querquedula, A. clypeata, Milvus milvus and Gallinago gallinago. The northwestern shore is a roosting area for up to 200,000 Sturnus vulgaris and 600 Motacilla flava.

Hydrological/Physical notes: The reservoir was created in 1967 by damming the River Helme. The wet meadow was formed atop quaternary deposits and only features very small variations in elevation. Regular changes in the water level result from a water regulation scheme, causing temporary flooding of the meadow and marsh areas as well as temporary drops in ground water level along the riverbank. The salt springs, which emerge on the edge of the neighbouring chalk formation, have been dry since 1987, causing the inland saline areas to become increasingly fresh. The artificial shallow waterbody in the northern part of the site can completely dry out during the winter season.

Human Uses: Part of the site is owned by the province, other areas are private property. The surroundings are private and cooperative property. The site is an important fish farming area, with some agriculture and cattle grazing around the borders. The reservoir is used for management of the water supply and flood protection. There is some recreational use, with a camping ground on the eastern shore. The area is also important for research into nature conservation, particularly ornithology. The Numburg Nature Conservation Field Station is located within the site.

Conservation Measures: The southern part of the site in Bundesländ Thüringen has been protected as a Landscape Protection Area since 1970. The northern part of the site in Bundesländ, Sachsen-Anhalt is included in the Kyffhäuser Landscape Protection Area. Part of the site was designated as an EU Special Protection Area for wild birds in 1993. The southeastern part of the site has been included in the Nature Reserve Schloβberg-Solwiesen since 1997, where special restrictions on land use apply. There is a management plan for part of the site.

Adverse Factors: The salt springs have been dry since 1987, causing the salt meadows to deteriorate, with an associated decline of halophytic flora. According to the 1999 Ramsar National Report for Germany, there is an intensification of agriculture with the transformation of wetlands in the reservoir reserve area into arable land. There is also an increase in eutrophication, although this should be restricted due to a recent diversion channel and the extensification of fish farming. There is increasing recreational use which causes disturbance at the site.

Site Management: Partly by the District Community of Sangerhausen, Untere Naturschützbehörde, Sangerhausen, Germany.

External Link:

Based on the 1992 Ramsar Information Sheet and a partial update from 1998. This site entry was slightly revised on 30 September 2003, following the receipt of new official information.