nature reserve
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nature reserve
A legally protected area in which nature, including its animal and plant life as well as the landscape, is to be preserved from human interference.
Im Naturschutzgebiet ist das Zelten streng verboten.
Camping is strictly prohibited in the nature reserve.
This word is a perfect example of a German 'Wort-Baukasten' (word building kit): it consists of 'Natur' (nature), 'Schutz' (protection), and 'Gebiet' (area). So it is literally an area for protecting nature.
Dieses seltene Tier lebt nur noch in einem kleinen Naturschutzgebiet.
This rare animal now lives only in a small nature reserve.
A typical formulation is that an area 'unter Naturschutz steht' (is under nature protection). Another is that an area is 'zum Naturschutzgebiet erklärt' (declared a nature reserve).
Der gesamte Küstenstreifen steht unter Naturschutz.
The entire coastal strip is under nature protection.
When you are located in such an area, you use the preposition 'in' with the dative. You are or hike 'im Naturschutzgebiet' (in the nature reserve).
Wir haben gestern im Naturschutzgebiet viele Vögel beobachtet.
Yesterday we observed many birds in the nature reserve.
national park
'der Nationalpark' and 'das Naturschutzgebiet' are both protected areas for nature, animals, and plants. A national park is usually a large, well-known area with special natural features and its own conservation concept. A nature reserve can also be smaller, for example a moor, a section of forest, or a meadow with rare plants. Clear rules often apply there so that people do not disturb nature. The words can be confused because both express legal protection. 'Nationalpark' is more suitable for large, special landscapes; 'Naturschutzgebiet' is also suitable for smaller local protected areas.
In diesem Naturschutzgebiet dürfen Hunde nur an der Leine laufen.
In this nature reserve, dogs may only be walked on a leash.
Nächsten Sommer wollen wir den Nationalpark an der Küste besuchen.
Next summer we want to visit the national park on the coast.