The Forest in Neuhof-Illkirch Nature Reserve

Free evolution under the microscope…

The Neuhof-Illkirch Nature Reserve is mostly forest, almost 95% of its surface area in fact (890 hectares). This forest has not been logged since the 1980s for the sites within the City of Strasbourg and since the 2000s for the properties within Illkirch-Graffenstaden. Timber production has not been carried out for at least 50 years on government land allocated to the Ministry of Defense.

In addition to the loss of alluvial functionality, the earlier silvicultural activity has also modified the original forest environment in a very diverse manner across the entire nature reserve. Some non-native species have been introduced for the purpose of timber production, ornamental reasons or even to conduct experiments on the adaptation of certain species to the Rhine environment. Neuhof-Illkirch Forest is, therefore, far from being a primary forest. Nevertheless, the site is home to three types of habitat of community interest:

• Elm grove-oak grove characteristic of the hardwood alluvial forest. Nomenclature: Natura 2000 91F0 Riparian mixed forest of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior and Fraxinus angustifolia along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris);
• Oak-hornbeam-lime grove characteristic of alluvial forests at the intermediate stage. Nomenclature: Natura 2000 91F0 (9170) Galio-Carpinetum oak-hornbeam forests (hornbeam forests with Carex alba from the Rhine terraces consolidated with Querco-ulmetum or Muller and Görs’ Caricitilietum),
• A small section of forest described as a softwood facies of hygrophilic habitats. Nomenclature: Natura 2000 91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Pandion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)

The evolution of these habitats is currently monitored by the implementation of permanent sample plots.  Every 10 years, this monitoring program provides latest information on the areas of afforestation on the site.

83 different species of tree and shrub have been identified in Neuhof-Illkirch Forest