Former German border zone reborn as thriving biodiversity corridor

When the Berlin Wall collapsed in 1989, the strip that once divided East and West Germany was left largely undisturbed, creating a de-facto sanctuary for wildlife. Decades of isolation enabled dozens of insect and spider species, many of them endangered, to persist alongside mammals such as otters and wildcats and rare bird populations. Conservation measures now protect 88% of the roughly 1,400-kilometre corridor, which has been rebranded as a green belt.

Infrastructure like cycling paths and educational panels invites the public to explore the area that was once off-limits. The initiative demonstrates the potential for former military frontiers to serve as biodiversity hotspots and recreational assets. Ongoing monitoring continues to track the health of this unique ecosystem.