Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Donau-Ries
Immediately available eco-points from officially recognised eco-accounts. greeNature solutions is your full-service partner for compensation according to BayKompV in the Nördlingen Ries and in the Swabian Danube valley.
The District of Donau-Ries at a glance
Donau-Ries district lies in the north of the Swabian administrative region, on the border to Central Franconia, Upper Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. With around 1,275 km² it is the largest district in Swabia by area. The administrative seat and district seat is Donauwörth, with the former free city of Nördlingen in the heart of the Ries as a second centre.
The landscape is shaped by the Nördlingen Ries, an almost circular basin landscape that formed about 15 million years ago from a meteorite impact and is today designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The Ries is framed by the ridge formations of the Swabian and Franconian Jura. In the south the Danube cuts through the district from west to east and receives the Wörnitz at Donauwörth and the Lech at Marxheim. These three rivers structure the natural region and create above-average species and habitat diversity.
Ecologically, the wetlands of the Swabian Danube fen are particularly important. The Mertinger Höll forms the core of the FFH area 7330-301 and the EU bird protection area 7330-471 (Swabian Danube wetland meadow-bird habitat) and is one of the most valuable lowland fen areas in the Swabian Danube valley. This is complemented by the calcareous grasslands and juniper heaths of the Ries Jura and the Monheim Jura, plus near-natural river and floodplain areas on the Danube, Lech and Wörnitz. In total, 17 FFH areas and several nature reserves lie within the district.
Economically the district is heavily industrial. Airbus Helicopters, a world-leading helicopter manufacturer, is based in Donauwörth, plus there are machinery and plant engineers and numerous suppliers throughout the district. The district is also a pioneer in renewable energy. Business extensions, business areas, transport projects and ground-mounted installations regularly generate substantial compensation requirements according to BayKompV.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D61 ›
Go to natural region D58 ›
Go to natural region D64 ›
Go to natural region D60 ›
Go to natural region D59 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Nördlingen Ries, meteor crater and UNESCO Global Geopark Ries (first in Bavaria)
- FFH area Mertinger Höll (7330-301) and EU bird protection area Swabian Danube fen (7330-471) with important meadow-breeding bird populations
- Confluence of Danube, Wörnitz and Lech in the Donauwörth and Marxheim area
- Largest district in Swabia by area with high natural region diversity
- Calcareous grasslands and juniper heaths on Ries Jura and Monheim Jura (Franconian Jura)
- 17 FFH areas and several nature reserves in the district area
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature is rooted in Bavaria and knows compensation practice in the Swabian Danube area from daily work. We are familiar with the Lower Nature Conservation Authority in Donauwörth, the regional land pools and the requirements for meadow-breeding bird and floodplain areas in the Danube fen, and accompany project developers throughout Donau-Ries district.
Typical measures in the district of Donau-Ries
Meadow-breeding bird protection in the Danube fen
Extensification and rewetting of wet meadows in the Swabian Danube fen, for example in the vicinity of Mertinger Höll. Late mowing dates, adapted water levels and predator management create breeding habitats for northern lapwing, great curlew and snipe.
Floodplain restoration on Danube, Lech and Wörnitz
Reconnection of oxbows, slope gentling and development of riparian woodland margins along the major rivers. These measures improve habitat networking and create habitat for beaver, kingfisher and floodplain species.
Calcareous grasslands and juniper heaths
Management and restoration of calcareous grasslands and juniper heaths on Ries Jura and Monheim Jura through grazing and shrub removal. Habitat for warmth-loving insects, reptiles and rare plant species.
Traditional orchards and hedgerows in the Ries open landscape
Creation of traditional orchard stands and hedgerow structures in the open arable landscape of the Ries. Stepping-stone habitats for little owl, red-backed shrike and wild bees between the intensively managed fields.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Tailored measures according to sections 44 and 45 BNatSchG: sand lizard habitats on railway and road embankments, bat roosts, skylark patches and amphibian spawning waters, coordinated with the respective impact.
New afforestation and forest conversion
Site-appropriate broadleaf mixed forests on marginal sites of the Jura as well as damp alder and ash forests in the lowlands of the Danube and Wörnitz, as compensation for forest clearance and sealing.
Protected species in the Nördlingen Ries and Swabian Danube valley
Meadow-breeding birds in the Danube fen
Northern lapwing, great curlew, snipe and black-tailed godwit breed in the wet meadows of Mertinger Höll and the Swabian Danube fen. Extensification and rewetting are key compensation measures here.
About this species ›Skylark in the Ries open landscape
The open, arable-dominated landscape of the Ries is habitat for the skylark. Skylark patches and extensive field margins are typical CEF measures when the open landscape is affected.
About this species ›Amphibians and great crested newt
Tree frog, yellow-bellied toad and the great crested newt (Annex II FFH Directive) occur in the wetlands and small water bodies of the Danube fen and Wörnitz valley. New spawning waters secure the populations when impacts occur.
About this species ›Kingfisher and beaver on the rivers
The Danube, Lech and Wörnitz with their dynamic banks provide habitat for kingfisher and beaver. Steep banks, riverbank erosion and near-natural water margins are proven measures in floodplain areas.
About this species ›Sand lizard on calcareous grassland sites
Calcareous grasslands of the Ries Jura, railway embankments and excavation sites are habitats for the sand lizard. It is a frequent target species in infrastructure and commercial projects and regularly requires CEF measures.
About this species ›Bats in the Ries and Jura
Old masonry, churches, traditional orchard stands and caves of the Jura offer roosts for large mouse-eared bat, common pipistrelle and brown long-eared bat. Roost securitisation and hunting habitats are typical components of compensation.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Industry and commerce
The district is a strong industrial location. Extensions at Airbus Helicopters in Donauwörth, in machinery and plant engineering and new business areas regularly generate compensation requirements. greeNature provides eco-points from recognised eco-accounts and handles authority coordination.
Infrastructure and transport
Expansion and bypasses on the B2 and B25, bridge structures over the Danube, Lech and Wörnitz and measures on the rail route trigger compensation and replacement obligations according to BayKompV.
Renewable energies
Donau-Ries district is a pioneer in renewable energies. Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems and wind power projects require nature conservation compensation and FCS measures for wind-sensitive species.
Settlement development
Residential and commercial building areas in Donauwörth, Nördlingen, Rain and surrounding municipalities require compensation measures. Landowners can offer their land as compensation areas.
From enquiry to monitoring
Contact and enquiry
Tell us your compensation requirement and the natural region. We check availability.
Offer and advice
A transparent offer covering measure types, scope and availability.
Coordination with authorities
Full coordination with the lower nature conservation authority. We handle everything.
Long-term monitoring
Permanent securing of the land, management and documentation across the contract term.
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Request eco-points in the district of Donau-Ries
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Donau-Ries.