LU0001017 Vallée de la Sûre inférieure
From a geological point of view, the various layers of the Muschelkalk dominate in the Lower Sauer Valley habitat protection site. In the flatter terrain, there are also some sandstones of the Upper Buntsandstein. The soils are mainly shallow to very shallow, stony-clay, brown earths generated by dolomite. Especially on steep slopes, the soil layer is often only a few centimetres thick. In the valleys, the soil layers are thicker. The most important watercourse in this area is the Sauer, the second largest watercourse in the country, which also partly forms the border with Germany. The Sauer takes in all the smaller flowing waters of the area: the Girsterbaach together with the Buersdreferbaach near Buerermillen, the Kauzebaach near Moersdorf and other water bodies, some of which have water only periodically. Due to the favourable soil conditions in the valleys, they are mostly used for agriculture, while the surrounding slopes are characterised by meadows and pastures. Meadow orchards are typical of this area. Unfortunately, most of them are now overmature and partly not maintained, so that they are collapsing. The same is the case for the former vineyards on the south-facing slopes, which are in most cases no longer used for viticulture, but are almost entirely overgrown or forested. A few exceptions are still used for growing wine or are home to orchid-rich calcareous grasslands. The shadier slopes are characterised by deciduous forest communities. Almost one third of the Natura 2000 site of the Lower Sauer Valley are habitats designated under Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Of these, lowland hay meadows (6510) and semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (6210) dominate in the open landscape. This mosaic of different uses makes the area particularly interesting for the target species. However, the abandonment of use and the lack of structures such as hedgerows, edges and solitary trees represent a negative influence. According to the SDF (Standard Data Form), 10 species protected under Annex II of the Habitats Directive and 26 bird species protected under Annex I of the Birds Directive have been recorded in the area, including Geoffroy’s bat (Myotis emarginatus), the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), the little owl (Athene noctua), the wryneck (Jynx torquilla) and the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), which are among the target species of Life Bats & Birds. In addition, another 9 plant and 9 animal species are important in the area due to their rarity/particularity.