Juniper reserveJuniperus communis heath and grassland with isolated juniper up to 1.5m high on an area of about 1 hectare. East of the local situation of Zermüllen on the Müllenberg. [Rita Gehendges: Natural Monuments of the Daun County] Historical Landscape Pictures The Eifel in the Heath and Juniper Dress of the 19th Century Werner Schwind, Gerolstein The landscape of the Eifel has changed significantly in the last 100 to 150 years. Meadow improvements, wasteland afforestation, conversion of deciduous to coniferous forests, mining or mining of volcanic mountains and last but not least road and housing construction have given the Eifel a new face.

The "Heidekopf" on the Müllenberg near Kelberg-Zermüllen was designated a natural monument in 1940 and has been under special protection ever since.

Juniper heaths did not develop naturally in the Eifel, but as a result of large-scale forest clearing, especially since the late Middle Ages. The demand for wood for iron smelting was immense. Instead of reforesting the areas, they were used as sheep pastures - the wool was processed in the Eifel cloth industry. Only the juniper was able to survive on the nutrient-poor soil, as it was not eaten by the animals.

Today, juniper heaths are valuable retreats for specialized plant and animal species. Their maintenance is costly: Without grazing or targeted measures, the areas would become overgrown within a short time. The preservation of this special cultural landscape is therefore closely linked to active nature conservation work.