Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Schwalm-Eder-Kreis
Schwalm-Eder district in north Hesse connects the broad floodplains of Fulda, Eder and Schwalm with the forested Knüll. For impacts on nature and landscape, we undertake complete compensation, from assessment in eco-points under the Hessian compensation ordinance through to permanent implementation and securing of compensation areas.
The District of Schwalm-Eder-Kreis at a glance
At around 1,538 square kilometres, Schwalm-Eder district is Hesse's second-largest and ranges from open agricultural land of the Schwalm through the floodplains of Eder and Fulda to the forests of Knüll. This diversity of grassland, arable, watercourses and large forest areas regularly brings significant compensation requirements in construction projects.
The Hessian compensation ordinance (KV) is decisive in Hesse. It assesses impacts and compensation measures in eco-points, implementing the impact mitigation regulation of Sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG. A site's state before and after impact is captured using biotope types and other criteria. The requirement results from the difference.
We guide project developers in Schwalm-Eder district from initial assessment through selection of suitable compensation areas to establishment, management and legal securing. Coordination with the lower nature conservation authority in Homberg (Efze) is a fixed part of our services.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D46 ›
Go to natural region D47 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Naturally the district lies at the transition between West Hessian upland and basin land (D46) and east Hessian Bergland (D47), creating very different baseline conditions for compensation measures from open basins to closed forest areas.
- Knüll forms, with its extensive beech and mixed forests, one of the largest contiguous forest complexes in north Hesse and is part of Knüll Nature Park.
- North Hesse is among regions with particularly high red kite nesting density, so species protection is important for wind energy and infrastructure projects.
- Along Fulda, Eder and Schwalm are numerous FFH and bird protection sites of the Natura 2000 network, whose conservation objectives must be considered when impacts occur.
- The broad, partly wet grassland and arable areas of Schwalm provide habitat for openland and meadow-breeding species and are likewise suitable for upgrades such as extensification and habitat networking.
✅ greeNature on the ground
We operate nationwide and manage projects in Schwalm-Eder district over the entire compensation process. This ranges from eco-point assessment under the Hessian compensation ordinance through site search and provision in Fulda and Eder floodplains or Knüll edges to proper implementation, management and basic-record securing. We work closely with the lower nature conservation authority of the district and tailor measures to local natural regions and conservation objectives of Natura 2000 sites.
Typical measures in the district of Schwalm-Eder-Kreis
Floodplain development on Fulda, Eder and Schwalm
Grassland extensification, restoration of retention areas and site-typical floodplain vegetation along the district's defining rivers.
Restore flowing waters
Removal of bank structures, development of buffer strips and reconnection of oxbows to upgrade watercourse ecology.
Near-natural forest conversion in Knüll
Transfer of conifer plantations to structured, site-appropriate broadleaf and mixed forests with deadwood and veteran tree components to support woodland species.
Establish and manage traditional orchards
New establishment and restoration of high-stem traditional orchard stands with extensive meadow use as a structured habitat at settlement edges.
Structured openland habitats
Establishment of field margin strips, skylark windows, hedgerows and borders for habitat networking in the cleared farmland of the Schwalm.
Small water bodies for amphibians
Creation of sunny breeding waters and networking of existing wet habitats to support amphibian populations, also as CEF measure.
Protected species in the North Hesse between Knüll and Eder
Red kite
North Hesse carries particular responsibility for the red kite, which nests here in high density. It is a central assessment topic in wind energy and infrastructure projects.
Black stork
The disturbance-free, water-rich forests of Knüll offer the wary black stork breeding and feeding habitats particularly needing protection in impacts.
About this species ›Wildcat
The large forest complexes of Knüll are among the known distribution areas of the European wildcat and are important building blocks in regional forest habitat networking.
About this species ›Skylark
As a typical breeding bird of the open fields of the Schwalm, the skylark reacts sensitively to land loss and benefits from field margins and fallows.
About this species ›Kingfisher
At near-natural sections of Fulda, Eder and Schwalm, the kingfisher finds steep banks and clear, fish-rich waters to be retained in watercourse planning.
About this species ›Great crested newt
Protected under FFH Annex II, the great crested newt inhabits structured small water bodies and can be specifically supported through new breeding waters.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Motorway A49
Extension and further development of A49 through the district involves extensive compensation and replacement measures for soil, forest and openland species.
Commercial and industrial sites
Expansion of commercial and industrial sites, such as in the Melsungen area, regularly leads to impacts with corresponding compensation requirements.
Wind energy in Knüll
Construction and repowering of wind installations at higher elevations require careful species protection assessments and appropriate compensation.
Bypasses and road construction
New construction and expansion of federal and state roads including bypasses create impacts on soil, vegetation and habitats.
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.
Eco-points in adjoining districts
All about eco-points
in the district of Schwalm-Eder-Kreis
Request eco-points in the district of Schwalm-Eder-Kreis
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Schwalm-Eder-Kreis.