The nature reserve, designated in 2008, is located between Lichtenwald and Hohenbrugg. Due to numerous preserved pollen the moor became a valuable archive for vegetation research of the last 2500 years. You can find the sweet chestnut, walnut & grain pollen and much more. A haven of peace for nature lovers. The beautiful but quiet secluded and little frequented place is good for bird watching. With small viewing platforms, this area is suitable for strollers.
Representing the botanical institute of the University of Graz, Dr. Ruth and Dr. Anton Drescher have scientifically examined an area of 15,000 - 20,000 m² in Lichtenwald and have come to a sensational result. It turned out that in the lowest soil sample at a depth of one meter, there was a grain of grain pollen next to all the important forest trees of our area including those firs which were the last forest trees to develop about 6,000 years ago.
From a depth of 70 cm the first sweet chestnut and walnut pollen, and from a depth of 60 cm rye pollen were found. The findings allow the conclusion of a deposition during a settlement phase about 2,000 - 2,400 years ago. The forest bog is an invaluable archive of vegetation research for the last 2,500 years. The knowledge gained is based on the good preservation of the pollen grains, which is due to the fact that no oxygen had access.
The location of the bog is in the middle of the forests between Hohenbrugg and Lichtenwald in the hollow on a Riedelkuppe of that terraced plateau, which was formed between the Safen and Feistritz valleys by the deposition of thick reservoir clay layers over the Tertiary sediments at an altitude of nearly 370 meters above sea level. Since 2008, the Lichtenwald Moor has become a nature reserve.
Viewing only possible by appointment.
Contact: Andreas Wutzl +43 676 87 18 70 77