The Upper Bavarian region between Ammersee and Zugspitze is home to a uniquely diverse range of rare animal and plant species. At the same time, these wild river landscapes are also exceptionally important areas for relaxation, culture, and tourism as well as being fundamental for human life and economies.
A campaign in this region organized by the action group Lebensraum Lechtal (habitat Lech valley), which receives support from the local angling association KFV Schongau e.V., has been working for many years to preserve the Lech river as a habitat.
A lifeline of the Alpine foothills, the Lech was once home to a great variety of native birds, insects, and fish. The river is 256 km starting at its source close to the Formarinsee lake in Austria all the way to the Bavarian town of Maxheim, where it flows into the Danube. Due to numerous dams that have been built, the Lech, which was once an Alpine wild river, is becoming a straightened, tamed river with numerous reservoirs strung together. The Lech is now considered one of the most obstructed bodies of water in all of Germany, which unfortunately cuts off connections to the glacial till of rock and gravel that is essential for biodiversity. These obstructions have changed the ground structure from one of gravel and scree to a concrete-like mixture of fine sediment and stones. Many birds, insects, fish, and microorganisms do not like to live in this type of environment, and many of them have disappeared. And so the species extinction continues.
Our Ecosystem Needs Support
In order to do our part for sustainability and species conservation, we have made a financial contribution to the Lebensraum Lechtal action group. “We at Schuster Maschinenbau feel obligated to act responsibly towards the people, animals, and nature in our region,” says Managing Director Jürgen Dommer. “Sustainability is one of our key guiding principles.” Even if it feels like just a small contribution, it means that the KFV Schongau e.V. angling association can now continue with its important work of renaturalizing the Lech: Work to break up the concrete-like water structure is being carried out regularly and various areas are being loosened with an old plow. In addition, a refuge is being created for the next generations of underwater species by bringing in dead wood for shelter.
