 Franconia has several regions with sandy habitats that are unique for south Germany and are protected as the so-called Sand Belt of Franconia or "Sandachse Franken".When the Altmühlsee reservoir was built, a bird island was created and designated as a nature reserve where a variety of birds nest.Another important reserve is the Black Moor in the Rhön, which is one of the most important bog areas in Central Europe.