What appears barren at first glance is actually diverse – and very sensitive. The Struffelt is a raised bog located between Roetgen and the Belgian border. It is one of the last of its kind in the Nordeifel.

It consists of many closely interconnected habitats: Wet moor areas, heath with gorse or birches lie close together here. Sphagnum mosses store large amounts of water, thus shaping the soil of the bog. Among the cotton grass live specialized insect species that are precisely adapted to these conditions.

To preserve this open landscape, the Struffelt is actively managed. Sheep, for example, prevent the spread of shrubs and trees, gradually allowing the bog to disappear. This preserves important habitats for rare species such as the bog butterfly and the whinchat. Migratory birds that use the area as a resting place also benefit from it.

But caution is crucial: The raised bog reacts sensitively to changes. Even small interventions can disturb the balance. Consideration is therefore part of the protection – and a prerequisite for this special landscape to endure.