Metamorphoses: The Lausitz

AN EXPERIMENT IN NATURE

The end of lignite mining in the Lausitz region of eastern Germany left behind huge areas of brownfield wasteland – in which habitats for rare plant and animal species have been able to develop. Along with wolves, cranes and white-tailed eagles, insects, amphibians and birds have also taken over the former pits and spoil heaps. But can nature be given free rein everywhere? – or should it be deliberatey ‘managed’ in some places? Wetlands, heath landscapes and forests have become fascinating research objects for nature conservationists and biologists.

TEAM
Written and directed by Michael R. Gärtner & Sebastian Koerner // Camera: Sebastian Koerner, Lennert Piltz, Michael Kern // Sound: Steven Rudi Altig, Marcel Lepel // Film editor: Marc Schubert // Assistant editor: Ayşe Remmler // Music: Thomas Wolter // Narrator: Paul Bendelow // Soundmix: Florian Ebrecht // Colour correction: Dany Schelby // Additional footage: Ralf Donat, Steffen Heiber, Marcel Lepel, Stephan Kaasche, Arnd Schermer, Stefan Thissen // Production assistants: Laura Bleifuß, Isabell Straub // Production manager: Katja Sträter // Executive producers: Thomas Weidenbach, Sarah Zierul // Our thanks go to: Bundesarchiv / Rainer Weisflog, LEAG, LMBV, NABU-Naturparadies Grünhaus, Zweckverband Lausitzer Seenland // ARTE G.E.I.E.: ‘Wissen’ department – Christian Cools, Sabine Joertz, under the direction of Alexander von Harling, Production – Heike Lettau, Yvette Durrenberger // WDR ‘Planet Schule’ and ‘Xenius’: Commissioning editor – Birgit Keller-Reddemann