Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Ammerland
Eco-points and compensation areas in Ammerland district, assessed using the Lower Saxony biotope value method. greeNature is your nationwide full-service partner for compensating impacts in the Ostfriesisch-Oldenburgischen Geest.
The District of Ammerland at a glance
Ammerland district lies in the north-west of Lower Saxony west of the city of Oldenburg and belongs entirely to the Ostfriesisch-Oldenburgischen Geest (BfN natural region D26). With only six municipalities in the district, it is the district with the fewest municipalities in Germany. The district seat and administrative centre is Westerstede. Since the abolition of administrative regions in Lower Saxony in 2004, there is no longer an intermediate tier.
The landscape is characterised by gently undulating geest land from glacial sands, traversed by numerous small flowing waters, called Bäken. Characteristic features are the old hedgerows, tree-lined avenues and the highly structured, park-like cultural landscape shaped by more than 300 nurseries and large-scale rhododendron cultivation around Bad Zwischenahn, Edewecht and Westerstede.
At the centre of the district lies the Zwischenahner Meer, at approximately 5.5 km² the third-largest inland lake in Lower Saxony, surrounded by the spa and health resort region of Bad Zwischenahn. Ecologically significant are primarily the extensive raised and lowland moors in the south and west, including Vehnemoor, Ipwegermoor and Gellener Torfmöörte, which are preserved as remnants of once far larger moor complexes.
The economy combines nursery farming and agriculture, particularly grassland and dairy cattle production, with tourism and growing settlement and commercial pressure in the hinterland of Oldenburg. Road and infrastructure projects, the expansion of wind energy and construction and commercial sites regularly trigger impacts whose compensation in Lower Saxony is to be provided via the biotope value method with eco-points on the basis of the impact mitigation regulation according to sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG and NAGBNatSchG.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D26 ›
Go to natural region D25 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Zwischenahner Meer, at approximately 5.5 km² the third-largest inland lake in Lower Saxony, health resort Bad Zwischenahn
- Nature Reserve Vehnemoor (approximately 1,676 hectares), raised moor remnant in the municipalities of Edewecht and Bösel (Cloppenburg district)
- FFH site Ipwegermoor, Gellener Torfmöörte (No. 014) with restoration and rewetting areas
- FFH site Lengener Meer, Stapeler Moor, Baasenmeers Moor (No. 010) in the west of the district
- FFH site Haaren and Wold bei Wechloy (No. 237, partial) on the border with the city of Oldenburg
- Extensive hedgerow, avenue and nursery landscape, Europe-wide significant rhododendron cultivation
- Geest-typical Bäken and grassland depressions as habitat for meadow-breeding birds
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with the Lower Saxony compensation system. We work with the lower nature conservation authority (Untere Naturschutzbehörde) of Ammerland district and the NLWKN, understand the biotope value method with eco-points as well as the relevant NLWKN guidance documents and the specific characteristics of moor and geest landscapes in natural region D26. From needs assessment through securing of land to implementation, management and monitoring, we support your project throughout.
Typical measures in the district of Ammerland
Moor restoration and rewetting
Raising water levels and removing drainage ditches in the degraded raised and lowland moors of the district, for example in the vicinity of Vehnemoor and Ipwegermoor. Such measures achieve high upgrades in the biotope value method, secure moor-typical habitats and bind carbon.
Grassland extensification for meadow-breeding birds
Conversion of intensively used land to species-rich wet and damp grassland in the Bäken depressions. Adjusted mowing dates, no fertiliser use and the creation of shallow pools provide breeding and feeding habitats for northern lapwing, great curlew and black-tailed godwit.
Restoration of Bäken and small water bodies
Removal of bank installations, creation of buffer strips and natural restoration of geest-typical flowing waters. Newly created ponds and shallow pools provide habitat for amphibians, dragonflies and kingfishers.
Hedgerows and field copses
New creation and restoration of the hedgerows characteristic of Ammerland Geest as well as field copses and avenues. These structures network habitats, act as stepping-stone habitats and enhance the open agricultural landscape.
New and replacement afforestation
Establishment of site-appropriate deciduous and wet forests with pedunculate oak, hornbeam, black alder and birch on suitable geest and lowland sites. They serve as compensation for cleared woodland and as permanently secured compensation areas.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Advance compensation measures according to § 44 BNatSchG, such as replacement quarters for bats in old tree stands and buildings, steep banks for kingfishers and replacement habitats for amphibians and meadow birds, tailored to the specific project.
Protected species in the Ammerland Geest, moorlands and Zwischenahner Meer
Meadow-breeding birds in wet grassland
Northern lapwing, great curlew and black-tailed godwit breed in open grassland depressions and Bäken valleys. Typical measures are rewetting, creation of shallow pools and grassland extensification as advance CEF measures.
About this species ›Skylark and open landscape species
The wide-ranging agricultural landscape of the geest is habitat for the skylark. In construction and infrastructure projects, skylark strips, flower strips and extensive field margin strips are proven species protection measures according to § 44 BNatSchG.
About this species ›Amphibians in moors and small water bodies
Moor frog, common frog and common toad inhabit moor waters, peat workings and alternately wet depressions. New or restored spawning waters in spatial proximity secure breeding sites when impacts occur.
About this species ›Bats in parkland and avenues
Old tree stands, hedgerows and buildings provide quarters for strictly protected bat species (Annex IV FFH Directive). Replacement quarters are required as a CEF measure when demolition or tree felling occurs.
About this species ›Kingfisher on Bäken and sea
Naturally formed bank sections of the Bäken and marginal areas of Zwischenahner Meer provide steep banks for kingfisher breeding. Steep bank modelling and bank restoration are typical CEF measures for water body impacts.
About this species ›Moor and migratory birds
Restored moors and wet meadows are significant breeding and resting areas, among others for cranes as well as passing geese and wading birds. Rewetting and grassland enhancement support these populations.
Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Road and transport infrastructure
The A28 motorway (Oldenburg-Leer) crosses the district, plus local bypasses, cycle and footpath construction and bridge structures. Such projects regularly trigger compensation and replacement obligations that can be covered via eco-points.
Wind energy and grid expansion
The expansion of wind energy and associated power lines in the Weser-Ems region creates compensation requirements and often necessitates species protection assessments and FCS measures for wind energy-sensitive species.
Settlement and business development
Residential and commercial areas are being developed in the Oldenburg hinterland, for example in Rastede, Wiefelstede and Bad Zwischenahn. Nature conservation compensation can be efficiently covered via provisioned eco-points.
Nursery and agricultural land
Intensive nursery and grassland use leads to land conversion with the character of an impact. At the same time, marginal yield sites and lowland areas are well suited as provider sites for compensation measures.
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
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in the district of Ammerland
Request eco-points in the district of Ammerland
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Ammerland.