germany has 1400 square kilometers of land for military drills the environmental group nabu commission to study and found something astonishing although there are pollutants like heavy metals and kerosene residue the sights are ecologically important. the home of didn t let some of those on earth situation in these areas is unique the exercises create a patchwork environment there are temporary changes what we ecologists call disturbances in areas where soil is removed there are pioneer sites where rare plants can grow as well as animal species you can t find in the regular landscape. destruction by tanks and artillery creates new ecological niches says army ecologist wilfried korten pons foreman tank trails and bomb craters where frogs and newts can spawn. it s extraordinary the damage we see