Naturschutzgebiet

[2] It meets the criteria of an IUCN Category IV Habitat and Species Management Area.

Only by this means can e.g. walkers know that they are entering a nature reserve and may not e.g. leave the tracks and paths.

Nature reserves in the "old states" of the Federal Republic of Germany are marked by green signs with the silhouette of a white-tailed eagle.

In the new federal states of the former East Germany they are marked with a pentagonal yellow sign bearing an image of a long-eared owl.

The number and size of nature reserves has increased considerably in recent decades.