The dune landscape in sight to the southeast covers an area of 41.5 ha. This natural site was designated as a nature reserve as early as in 1913. The Süderlügum inland dunes are relics of the last ice age, which lasted until about 10,000 years ago. The edge of the huge ice masses was located 30 km east of here. When the glaciers began to melt, vast amounts of water poured out of huge glacier gates, carrying sand and debris with them. The meltwater formed glacial valleys and deposited the sand and debris on its way downstream.
North of here, the glacial valley of the Wiedau brook (Vidå) is located. South of the valley, the sand drift from the banks and sandbanks established inland dunes and wide expanses of sand. Soon dunes and areas were covered by forest. By the 16th century, clear-cutting by early settlers gradually transformed the forest into barren heathland. Now the wind could again blow the loose sand in the open landscape without restraint.
The inhabitants of Süderlügum tried to defy the sandstorms by planting beach grass, among other things. But real wind protection was only achieved when the area east of the inland dunes was covered with forest again at the beginning of the last century.
North of here, the glacial valley of the Wiedau brook (Vidå) is located. South of the valley, the sand drift from the banks and sandbanks established inland dunes and wide expanses of sand. Soon dunes and areas were covered by forest. By the 16th century, clear-cutting by early settlers gradually transformed the forest into barren heathland. Now the wind could again blow the loose sand in the open landscape without restraint.
The inhabitants of Süderlügum tried to defy the sandstorms by planting beach grass, among other things. But real wind protection was only achieved when the area east of the inland dunes was covered with forest again at the beginning of the last century.