Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Spree-Neiße
Compensation areas and statutory nature conservation compensation in Spree-Neiße District, assessed according to the impact mitigation regulation of BNatSchG and Brandenburg guidance for implementing (HVE). greeNature develops compensation measures in Niederlausitz and operates nationwide.
The District of Spree-Neiße at a glance
Spree-Neiße District lies in southeastern Brandenburg on the border with Poland and Saxony and completely surrounds the independent city of Cottbus. The district seat is Forst (Lausitz). The landscape is characterised by extensive pine forests of Niederlausitz, the interwoven flowing water system of Upper Spreewald in the northwest, and the river landscapes of Spree and Lausitzer Neiße.
Naturally, the district belongs to BfN major natural region D08 (Niederlausitz). Characteristic are nutrient-poor sandy soils, sand and dwarf shrub heaths, alder carr and wet lowlands. In the southeast, the Muskauer Faltenbogen (Muskauer arch) stands out as an ice-age-thrust geological special form, today a UNESCO Global Geopark. Over decades, brown coal open-pit mining has profoundly altered landscape and water balance.
Ecologically significant are among others the Peitzer Teiche (Peitz ponds) as an internationally important waterfowl area, the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve and numerous FFH and bird protection areas along Spree and Neiße. In addition to the impact mitigation regulation according to sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG, the species protection prohibitions under section 44 BNatSchG must regularly be observed for projects.
Economically, the district is strongly characterised by the Lausitz brown coal region. Open-pit mines Jänschwalde and Welzow-South, Jänschwalde power plant and the region's structural transformation trigger substantial compensation requirements. In Brandenburg, compensation is derived through verbal argumentation based on the Guidance for implementing the impact mitigation regulation (HVE), whereby significant impacts must generally be compensated at least on an area-equal basis.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D08 ›
Go to natural region D12 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Peitzer Teiche, internationally important resting and breeding area for waterfowl
- Spreewald Biosphere Reserve with flowing waters, alder carr and wet meadows in the northwest
- Muskauer Faltenbogen in the southeast as UNESCO Global Geopark
- River landscapes of Spree and Lausitzer Neiße with FFH and bird protection areas
- Large post-mining landscapes of open-pit mines Jänschwalde and Welzow-South
- Pine forests on nutrient-poor sands and sand and dwarf shrub heaths
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with Brandenburg regulations, from verbal argumentation assessment according to HVE through the requirements of the land pool regulation to coordination with the lower nature conservation authority of Spree-Neiße District in Forst (Lausitz). In Niederlausitz, we know the site potential of mining-affected areas and the river lowlands of Spree and Neiße.
Typical measures in the district of Spree-Neiße
Rewetting of lowlands
Rewetting of drained lowlands and extensive grassland use in the Spreewald and Malxe lowlands to stabilise water balance.
Waterway restoration
Removal of bank structures, installation of water margin strips and near-natural pond management on Spree, Neiße and Peitzer Teiche for fish, amphibian and bird species.
Sand heaths on post-mining sites
Development of sand and dwarf shrub heaths and open bare ground on post-mining sites as habitat for sand lizard, skylark and thermophile insects.
Forest conversion
Conversion of structurally poor pine forests to site-appropriate deciduous mixed forests with oak, birch and alder to increase habitat diversity and climate stability.
Grassland extensification
Extensification and rewetting of wet grassland in river lowlands as breeding habitat for northern lapwing and further meadow-breeding birds.
Species protection CEF
Advance compensation measures for sand lizard, bats and farmland birds, such as habitat structures, stone lines and roosts, to permanently secure the ecological function of affected habitats.
Protected species in the Niederlausitz and Lausitz brown coal region
Sand lizard
Sandy and post-mining sites, railway embankments and forest edges of Niederlausitz are core habitats of the sand lizard. In infrastructure and open-pit mining projects, it is a frequent target species requiring advance CEF measures and relocation.
About this species ›Skylark
Open basin areas, post-mining sites and arable land provide the skylark with breeding space. Arable margins, fallows and larch windows strengthen populations of this open-land species.
About this species ›Northern lapwing
Wet grassland and lowlands on Spree and Malxe are habitat for northern lapwing and further meadow-breeding birds. Extensive grassland use and rewetting promote breeding populations.
About this species ›Black stork
The extensive, undisturbed forests of Niederlausitz with their flowing waters and alder carr are breeding and feeding habitat for the black stork. Forest conversion and protection of nest sites secure the population.
About this species ›Kingfisher
Near-natural banks of Spree, Lausitzer Neiße and pond areas offer the kingfisher breeding sites. Vertical walls, bank erosion and waterway restoration create new breeding habitats.
About this species ›Bats
Old forest stands, cavity trees and structures serve bats as roosts. Roost and collision losses must be examined for species protection under section 44 BNatSchG for projects.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Brown coal and post-mining
Open-pit mines Jänschwalde and Welzow-South characterise the district. Operation, restoration and reclamation of the post-mining landscape and the region's structural transformation trigger extensive compensation and restoration requirements.
Energy and structural transformation
Jänschwalde power plant, conversion of energy infrastructure and photovoltaic free-field systems and storage projects on former open-pit sites require statutory nature conservation compensation and CEF measures.
Infrastructure and transport
Expansion of motorway A15, federal roads, rail lines and border crossings with Poland near Guben and Forst entail compensation and replacement obligations.
Industry and commerce
The regional growth centre Spremberg with paper, plastic and further processing industries and new establishments in the course of structural transformation generate demand for 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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