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Solar park in Mettlach: Danger for red deer and their hiking trails!
In Mettlach, nature conservation associations are protesting against a solar farm that could affect the migration of red deer.
Solar park in Mettlach: Danger for red deer and their hiking trails!
The planned Wehingen solar park in Mettlach is causing concern among conservationists and the German Hunting Association (DJV). Loud Top agricultural The project hinders the migration paths of the red deer that migrate over the green tunnel ridge between Germany and France. This region, which is part of the A8 motorway, represents an essential connection between the Saarland high forest and the Massif de la Canner.
The planned photovoltaic system covers an area of 29 hectares and is expected to be equipped with fences up to 3.5 meters high. These barriers could restrict up to 70 percent of the width of wildlife passage. “Such a project could significantly disrupt the red deer’s migration route,” warns Josef Schneider from the DJV. The German Wildlife Foundation also expresses concerns and calls for solar parks to be designed in a wildlife-friendly manner.
Threats to genetic diversity
The warnings are not limited to the immediate effects of the solar park. Dr. Andreas Kinser from the German Wildlife Foundation points out that the interruption of the hiking trails could have negative consequences for the genetic diversity of red deer. Studies show that isolated populations suffer from inbreeding and can become more susceptible to disease.
In addition to the fences, maintenance work on the solar system could also cause additional disruption to wild animals, which further exacerbates the problem. The German Wildlife Foundation emphasizes that there are ways to design solar parks so that they do not represent barriers to wild animals.
Demand for solutions
In a position paper, the foundation explains how planning for solar parks can be made more wildlife-friendly. Kinser emphasizes the need to consider wildlife-safe trails as early as the planning phase. “Combined agriculture and nature conservation must go hand in hand to ensure sustainable management of both areas,” he explains.
The discussion about the Wehingen solar park shows the challenges that must be taken into account when implementing renewable energies in sensitive natural areas. Balancing the needs of nature conservation and the energy transition is on the agenda in order to preserve the red deer's valuable hiking trails and at the same time promote the expansion of renewable energies.