The Cold War Legacy

Abstract

Former military reserves in eastern Germany have protected and continue to protect wildlife from human impact. Now naturalists are trying to convert the reserves to nature preserves, but face pressure from population increases and desires for development. The govt wants to sell the land at free market prices, likely too steep for those interested in nature protection. An alliance with the military may result, because the military has the money to keep the area clear of people. This provokes negative reactions from other groups. Common cranes now use an old military reserve on the northern coast (near Rugen) as a rest stop on seasonal migration, but the Bundeswehr wants to begin using the area again as a testing range. This conflicts with the status of national park given to the area by the old East German regime.