Hainich
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hainich (German pronunciation: [ˈhaɪnɪç]) is a forested hill chain in the state of Thuringia in Germany, between the towns of Eisenach, Mühlhausen and Bad Langensalza. Hainich covers an area of around 160 km² (61,8 sq mi), of which, since 31 December 1997, half has been designated as Hainich National Park. The highest point in Hainich is Alte Berg at 1621 ft (494 m). The Mühlhäuser Stadtwald in the northern part of Hainich is the largest municipal forest in Thuringia. The landmark of Hainich is Betteleiche, a 600-year-old common oak at Ihlefeld.
Communities
Hainich is 18,6 mls (30 km) long from north to south and 2,5 to 5 mls (4 to 8 km) broad from west to east. The western edge of Hainich leads to Lempertsbach and Lauterbach valley and is steeper than the eastern slope. In the northwest you can find high rocks like Sommerstein and Winterstein. The reason for the steeper slopes in western Hainich is the Saalfeld-Gotha-Eichenberg fault. Because of limestone the Hainich creeks are dry for the most time of the year. In the east of Hainich water rises up in strong sources like Kainspring or Popperöder Quelle. So Hainich is a karst region.
The following communities take part of Hainich: Eigenrieden, Heyerode, Hallungen, Nazza, Mihla, Lauterbach, Bischofroda, Berka v.d Hainich, Behringen, Reichenbach, Craula, Zimmern, Alterstedt, Weberstedt, Mülverstedt, Flarchheim, Kammerforst, Oppershausen, Langula, Niederdorla, Oberdorla, Mühlhausen.
Geology
Climate
The annual average precipitation at Hainich ridge is as 31.5 in (800 mm). The average temperature is 43,7 °F (6,5 °C). The lower parts in the east are drier and warmer. The next commercial weather station is near Weberstedt.
Ecology
Hainich contains the largest coherent area of deciduous trees in Germany. The main trees are beech, mixed with ash, maple, tilia cordata, hornbeam and chequer tree (Sorbus torminalis). Hainich is also known as an important habitat for European wildcat (Felis silvestris). Central parts of Hainich National Park, so Weberstedt and Schöndorf forest, are rich on dead wood. That's the reason for the incidence of 522 beetles with their habitat only in wood. Biologists found from 1992 to 2008 altogether 2080 of different beetles in Hainich National Park.[1]
Forestry
The north of Hainich is managed by the forestry service in Creuzburg. The forests belong to the municipality of Mühlhausen and to the cooperatives of Oberdorla, Niederdorla, Langula and Kammerforst. Selective tree cutting and uneven-aged management are dominant in the beech forests. Sycamore maple and Chequer tree are bringing the best yield. In former times oaks and hornbeam were favored.
