Jasmund National Park is characterised by the spectacular chalk coast of Ruegen Island. Within the park, diverse natural habitats can found. Among the most notable habitats are flint stone beaches, an active chalk cliff, and the pristine Ancient Beech Forest.
Diverse habitats

As a result of complex interactions between climate, relief and soil types, Jasmund National Park encompasses an extremely wide spectrum of habitats. Alone the beech forest habitats can range from nutrient poor to nutrient rich, and from dry to wet on chalky substrate. While different types of bogs are dispersed throughout the forest, the chalk plateau is drained by a network of streams.

The hanging forests

The largest, contiguous beech forest on the German Baltic Sea coast makes up about two thirds of our protected area (2,100 hectares). Along the chalk cliff, the beech forest breaks up into a dynamic mosaic of open areas, brush and primeval forest. For centuries, the steep cliffs guaranteed inaccessibility and the forest was never logged – a stroke of luck for nature.

Space for animals and plants

This plethora of habitats forms the basis for Jasmund‘s animal and plant diversity. Especially noteworthy are several rare orchid species and the great horsetail. The common house martin nests on the chalk cliffs; peregrine falcons and white-tailed eagles also regularly breed in Jasmund National Park.