Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Cuxhaven
Cuxhaven district lies in northern Lower Saxony between the mouths of the Elbe and Weser. Marshes on the coast, the Stade Geest inland and extensive moors characterise a diverse natural landscape. Impacts here are assessed according to Lower Saxony nature conservation law and compensated via the biotope value method in eco-points.
The District of Cuxhaven at a glance
At approximately 2,059 square kilometres, Cuxhaven is among the largest districts in Lower Saxony by area. The district ranges from the North Sea coast and the mouths of the Elbe and Weser to the geest and moor landscapes of the Elbe-Weser triangle.
Agriculture shapes large areas of the land, predominantly grassland and livestock farming in the marshes. Additionally, there are significant coastal protection, port and wind energy locations, which regularly create compensation requirements.
The Federal Nature Conservation Act (sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG) and the Lower Saxony Implementation Act (NAGBNatSchG) apply to assessing impacts. The scope and value of impact and compensation are determined via the biotope value method, which is based on NLWKN guidance documents.
In addition to the impact mitigation regulation, special species protection according to § 44 BNatSchG must be observed. For affected species, advance compensation measures (CEF) may be required to ensure ecological function of habitats is continuously maintained.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D27 ›
Go to natural region D25 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer National Park and UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea on the coast
- Extensive raised moors such as Ahlenmoor and lowland and transition moors with high restoration potential
- Damp marsh grassland as habitat for meadow and wading birds
- Numerous FFH and EU bird protection sites (Natura 2000), particularly along the Elbe and Oste
- Flowing waters such as Oste and Medem with floodplains and bank structures
- Significant offshore and port location in the city of Cuxhaven
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature supports project developers in Cuxhaven district from initial assessment of compensation requirements through permanent securing and management of land. We coordinate measures with the lower nature conservation authority, pay attention to the appropriate natural region reference (D24, D25 and D27) and document eco-points clearly. As a nationwide company, we combine inter-regional expertise with knowledge of local marsh, geest and moor sites.
Typical measures in the district of Cuxhaven
Moor restoration
Rewetting of drained raised and lowland moors, for example around Ahlenmoor, to restore typical moor habitats and bind carbon.
Wet grassland extensification
Conversion of intensively used land to extensively managed grassland with adapted water levels to create habitats for meadow and wading birds.
Small water bodies and amphibian biotopes
Creation and restoration of ponds and shallow pools for amphibians and great crested newts, supplemented by sunny terrestrial habitats nearby.
Flowing water development
Creation of buffer strips and natural development of streams such as Oste and Medem with bank trees and floodplain structures.
Hedgerows and margins on the geest
New creation of field hedges, tree rows and herb margins in the open field of Stade Geest to network habitats.
Natural forest conversion
Development of site-appropriate, structured deciduous and mixed forests from artificial stands to promote old and dead wood structures.
Protected species in the Elbe-Weser triangle at the North Sea
Northern lapwing
Characteristic meadow bird of open marshes. It is sensitive to grassland ploughing and drainage, making damp extensively managed areas important for its breeding success.
About this species ›Skylark
Ground-nesting bird of open fields. It benefits from skylark strips, extensive field margins and open farming practices.
About this species ›Amphibians
Moor frogs, tree frogs and other species inhabit small water bodies in moor and marsh landscapes and depend on a network of sunny spawning waters.
About this species ›Great crested newt
Protected under Annex II of the FFH Directive. It needs fish-free, well-lit still waters with a structurally rich surrounding area.
About this species ›Bats
Various strictly protected species use woodlands, avenues and buildings as roosts and hunting grounds. Loss of roosts often requires advance CEF measures.
About this species ›Kingfisher
It breeds in steep banks along near-natural watercourses such as the Oste and Medem and benefits from structurally rich, clean streams with eroded banks.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Port expansion and offshore base
Cuxhaven is a major offshore base port. The expansion of berths and terminal and industrial areas regularly triggers impacts with a compensation requirement.
Onshore wind energy
New wind farms and their grid connections take up land and affect species protection, for example breeding and resting birds as well as bats.
Coastal and flood protection
Dyke reinforcement and sluice structures along the North Sea, Elbe and Weser encroach on marsh and riparian habitats.
Commercial and transport areas
The designation of commercial and industrial areas as well as road construction measures require compensation via the habitat value procedure.
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 Cuxhaven
Request eco-points in the district of Cuxhaven
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Cuxhaven.