The calcareous fen was formed during the last ice age 11,000 years ago. Water permanently accumulated in a natural depression in the terrain. Dead plant remains were deposited on the ground, which could not be completely decomposed because of the oxygen-poor water. From these half-decomposed plant remains, the moor was formed. It was already used as fuel in the Middle Ages. This is where the name Muckenbruch comes from. "Mucken" are namely the brick-sized pieces of peat that were cut off for this purpose. Since 1960, the peat has been used for peat therapy.
The Muckenbruch is home to numerous rare animal and plant species such as the yellow-bellied toad, the marsh harrier or the marsh marigold.
On information boards at three entrances, the visitor learns more about the history and the flora and fauna. An overview map shows which paths the Muckenbruch can be explored step by step. In addition, pictograms point out the rules of conduct in the nature reserve.
Protective measures
The rewetting of the Muckenbruch promotes alder swamp forests. In addition, the rare marsh harrier and yellow-breasted toad benefit from the measures in the nature reserve. In the Muckenbruch, the Bad Westernkotten moor is mined.