Seggenrasen

Seggenrasen, or sedge meadows, are a habitat type of semi-natural grassland in temperate Europe. They are dominated by sedges (Carex species) and are characterized by a moist to waterlogged soil, with periodic or permanent inundation. The sward is typically dense and tall, containing grasses and a diverse array of herbaceous plants, with community structure closely tied to the water regime.

Ecology and distribution: Seggenrasen occur on nutrient-poor to moderately fertile soils that experience high moisture availability, such as damp floodplains, riverbanks, lake shores, and other wetland margin sites. Hydrology is the main structuring factor; small changes in water level or drainage strongly affect species composition and the balance between sedges, grasses, and forbs. They are widespread across Central and Northern Europe, with regional differences in species assemblages, and occur from lowland to submontane zones.

Conservation and threats: These communities have declined due to drainage for agriculture, land consolidation, eutrophication from nutrient inputs, peat extraction, and land-use changes. Conservation measures focus on maintaining or restoring natural hydrological conditions, reducing nutrient inputs, and employing grazing or mowing regimes to prevent woody encroachment and succession. Protection from drainage and development is common within national nature conservation frameworks and in European networks such as Natura 2000, where Seggenrasen are recognized as valuable habitat types.

Ecological role: Seggenrasen support a diverse plant assemblage and provide habitat for invertebrates, amphibians, and bird species. They also contribute to ecosystem services such as water retention, flood mitigation, and landscape resilience, highlighting their importance in biodiversity and land management.