Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Cloppenburg
Compensation and eco-points in Cloppenburg district follow the impact mitigation regulation of NAGBNatSchG with assessment via the biotope value method. greeNature develops legally secure compensation measures nationwide and supports project developers in the Oldenburger Münsterland from assessment through official recognition.
The District of Cloppenburg at a glance
Cloppenburg district lies in western Lower Saxony and together with Vechta district forms the Oldenburger Münsterland. The district seat and administrative centre is Cloppenburg, the district is divided into 13 cities and municipalities. Lower Saxony is not subdivided into administrative regions; for nature conservation, the lower nature conservation authority of the district and at state level the NLWKN are responsible.
Geographically, extensive geest sites with sandy soils, glacial valley sands and ground moraine plateaus characterise the district. The south belongs to the geest of the Oldenburger Münsterland (natural region D30), the north around Friesoythe, Barßel and Saterland to the Ostfriesisch-Oldenburgischen Geest (natural region D26). Characteristic features are raised moor remnants, lowland moors and the river valleys of Soeste and Hase.
Ecologically significant are large-scale moors and heaths. The nature reserve Talsperre Thülsfeld covers approximately 462 hectares and includes the FFH site Heaths and moors at Talsperre Thülsfeld. In the north, the Esterweger Dose extends into the district, a raised moor complex that as an FFH site and EU bird protection site is part of the Natura 2000 network and is managed jointly with Emsland and Leer districts.
Economically, the district is shaped by intensive agriculture and food production with livestock, meat and dairy processing and biogas, supplemented by business and logistics locations such as ECOPARK at the A1 near Emstek. Livestock building projects, commercial areas, transport projects and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems regularly trigger impacts whose compensation must be assessed via the NAGBNatSchG biotope value method.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D30 ›
Go to natural region D26 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- NSG and FFH site Talsperre Thülsfeld (approximately 462 hectares) with heaths, moors and still waters
- Esterweger Dose, raised moor as FFH site and EU bird protection site in the Natura 2000 network
- River valleys of Soeste and Hase with wet grassland and floodplain remnants
- Saterland and northern district in transition to the Ostfriesisch-Oldenburgischen Geest with lowland and raised moors
- Extensive sand geest with heath remnants and inland dune ridges
- Moor complexes such as Vehnemoor with potential for rewetting and peat preservation
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and develops compensation measures throughout the Oldenburger Münsterland. We understand the requirements of the lower nature conservation authority of Cloppenburg district, assessment according to the Lower Saxony biotope value method and NLWKN guidance documents from ongoing project practice and support project developers from initial assessment through recognition.
Typical measures in the district of Cloppenburg
Moor restoration
Rewetting of drained raised and lowland moors in areas such as Esterweger Dose and Vehnemoor, raising water levels and promoting peat-forming vegetation as high-value compensation according to biotope value method.
Wet grassland development
Extensification and wetland conversion of grassland in the valleys of Soeste and Hase, habitat for meadow birds such as northern lapwing and great curlew, adapted mowing and late use dates.
Heath and sand grassland management
Removal of scrub, sod-stripping and grazing of remaining heaths on the geest, for example around Talsperre Thülsfeld, to maintain open sand biotopes and heat-loving species.
Flowing water restoration
Creation of buffer strips, incorporation of dead wood and development of natural floodplains on Soeste, Hase and their tributaries, combined with improved passage for aquatic organisms.
Forest conversion and new afforestation
Development of site-appropriate deciduous and mixed forests on geest sites, conversion of coniferous forests towards oak-birch stands and creation of forest edges as buffer and connecting structures.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Advance compensation measures according to § 44 BNatSchG, such as sand lenses and habitat structures for sand lizards, replacement quarters for bats and new spawning waters for amphibians.
Protected species in the Oldenburger Münsterland and Cloppenburger Geest
Northern lapwing and meadow birds
Damp extensively managed grassland in the lowlands of Soeste and Hase is habitat for northern lapwing, great curlew and snipe. Rewetting and adapted grassland use are typical target measures.
About this species ›Skylark
The open arable landscape of the geest provides the skylark with breeding habitats. Flower strips, skylark strips and extensive field margin strips are among the suitable production-integrated compensation measures.
About this species ›Sand lizard
Sandy heath areas, embankments and track margins on the geest are sand lizard habitats. Impacts often require CEF measures with sand lenses, dead wood and stone ridges.
About this species ›Moor frog and great crested newt
Moor-edge waters and small water bodies harbour moor frogs, great crested newts and other amphibians. Newly created, fish-free spawning waters secure populations in impacts to wet habitats.
About this species ›Bats
Mature timber stands, farmstead trees and buildings provide quarters for species such as serotine and common pipistrelle. Retention of quarter trees and replacement quarters are among the regular species protection measures.
About this species ›Kingfisher
Breeds on Soeste and Hase in naturally formed bank overhangs. Restored water sections with steep banks and structured shores provide suitable breeding habitats on a permanent basis.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Agriculture, livestock building and biogas
As one of Germany's most significant processing centres, the district regularly generates construction projects in the countryside. Livestock barn construction, business expansions and biogas plants trigger impacts whose nature conservation compensation must be provided via NAGBNatSchG using the biotope value method.
Business and logistics
Business and logistics land such as the inter-municipal ECOPARK at the A1 near Emstek and further commercial development leads to land sealing and corresponding compensation requirements.
Transport and infrastructure
Expansion and maintenance of federal and state roads, local bypasses and measures on the Oldenburg-Osnabrück railway line trigger compensation and replacement obligations under the impact mitigation regulation.
Renewable energy
Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems on geest sites and wind energy projects require nature conservation compensation as well as species protection assessments according to § 44 BNatSchG, sometimes with CEF or FCS 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.
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in the district of Cloppenburg
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