Map layer Naturwaldzellen NRW

In 1971, the first natural forest cells were designated in North Rhine-Westphalia: They're supposed to be “Urwalds” of tomorrow. About 80 percent of endangered animal and plant species in the forest depend on dead and old wood. In the self-sustained natural forest cell where all dying and dead wood remains in the forest, their population density is booming. In natural forest cells, any action that may lead to destruction, damage or alteration of the protected area or its constituents or to a sustained disturbance shall be prohibited.