Eco-points and compensation areas
City of Delmenhorst
Eco-points and compensation areas in the independent city of Delmenhorst, assessed according to the Lower Saxony biotope value procedure. greeNature is your nationwide full-service partner for compensation of impacts in the geest and marsh landscape on the Delme.
The City of Delmenhorst at a glance
Delmenhorst is an independent city in north-western Lower Saxony, directly west of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen and approximately 35 km south-east of Oldenburg. Since 1903, the city has been independent and with around 81,000 residents on just over 62 km² of area forms an autonomous territorial authority. An administrative region level no longer exists, since the Lower Saxony administrative regions, including the former Weser-Ems district, were abolished in 2004.
In terms of natural regions, the far greater part of the city area lies in the East Frisian-Oldenburg geest (BfN natural region D26). In the east and north-east, the city reaches the damp lowlands of the Ems-Weser marsh (D25), where Monastery stream, Varreler Bäke and Ochtum form the boundary to the Bremen surroundings. The Delme flows through the city area, from which the city takes its name.
Characteristic is the contrast between densely built, heavily sealed inner city and residential areas and open grassland and lowland areas at the city edge. The industrial history, particularly the former German Wool Combing and Worsted Spinning (Nordwolle), shaped Delmenhorst as a working-class and industrial city; today focus areas include food industry, plastics and floor covering industry, marine technology and automotive supply.
Residential construction, commercial and transport projects regularly trigger impacts on nature and landscape in the city. Their compensation in Lower Saxony must be provided via the biotope value procedure with eco-points on the basis of the impact mitigation regulation under sections 13 to 15 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act and the NAGBNatSchG. In a land-constrained city, stockpiled compensation areas and eco-accounts are particularly helpful.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D25 ›
Go to natural region D30 ›
📍 City districts
🌿 Ecological features
- FFH area no. 250 "Lower Delme, Hache, Ochtum and Varreler Bäke" (EU designation DE 2817-331), a flowing water system that extends beyond Delmenhorst into the Wesermarsch and Diepholz districts as well as into the state of Bremen
- Landscape protection area Ochtum lowland in the Hasbergen city sector, damp lowland at the boundary to the Bremen surroundings
- The Delme flows through the city area; Monastery stream, Varreler Bäke and Ochtum border the city to the east and north-east
- Transitional position between the geest to the west and the marsh and lowland soils to the east (natural regions D26 and D25)
- Industrial monument Nordwolle (former German Wool Combing and Worsted Spinning) with the North-West German Museum of Industrial Culture
- High proportion of sealing and settlement on small city area, meaning compensation needs are often to be met outside the city centre
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with the Lower Saxony compensation system. We work with the lower nature conservation authority of Delmenhorst city and the NLWKN, know the biotope value procedure with eco-points as well as the relevant NLWKN working guidelines and the special features of a land-constrained city at the transition from geest to marsh. From needs assessment through land securing to implementation, management and monitoring, we accompany your project continuously, even when suitable compensation areas lie in the surrounding area.
Typical measures in the city of Delmenhorst
Water body restoration on Delme and streams
Removal of riverbank fortifications, creation of water body edge strips and naturalistic redesign of Delme, Monastery stream and Varreler Bäke. Such measures structurally improve the flowing water, improve continuity and achieve noticeable improvements in the biotope value procedure.
Unsealing and removal
Breaking up and removal of sealed areas from former commercial or construction use, followed by soil improvement and naturalistic vegetation. In a densely built city, unsealing is an effective and well-credited compensation.
Grassland extensification in the surrounding area
Conversion of intensively used areas into species-rich wet and damp grassland in the Ochtum and Delme lowlands. Adapted mowing dates, no fertilisation and creation of ponds provide habitats for meadow-breeding birds and amphibians.
Small water bodies and floodplain development
Creation of ponds, pools and damp hollows as well as development of site-appropriate floodplain woodland and bank shrub margins along lowland water bodies. These structures serve amphibians, dragonflies and the kingfisher as habitat and link biotopes.
Urban green, shrubs and street trees
New creation and improvement of shrub stocks, field hedgerows and tree rows in the city and at the city edge. Site-appropriate deciduous shrubs improve the microclimate, link green structures and serve as replacement for felled stocks.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Advanced compensation measures under section 44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act, such as replacement roosts for bats in buildings and old trees, steep banks for the kingfisher as well as replacement habitats for amphibians and reptiles, coordinated to the particular project.
Protected species in the Oldenburg geest and Ochtum lowland on the Delme between Bremen and Oldenburg
Bats in buildings and old trees
Old buildings, industrial installations and old timber stocks provide roosts for strictly protected bat species (Annex IV of the Habitats Directive). When buildings are demolished or trees felled, replacement roosts are required as an advanced CEF measure under section 44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
About this species ›Kingfisher on Delme and Ochtum
Naturalistic riverbanks and steep banks on Delme, Ochtum and Varreler Bäke offer the kingfisher breeding opportunities. Steep bank modelling and riverbank restoration are typical CEF measures in water body impacts.
About this species ›Amphibians in the lowlands
Grass frog, common toad and other species inhabit small water bodies, damp hollows and ditch systems of the Delme and Ochtum lowland. New or restored spawning waters in spatial context secure the breeding sites when impacts occur.
About this species ›Meadow-breeding birds in the Ochtum lowland
The damp grasslands of the Ochtum lowland are habitat for meadow-breeding birds such as the northern lapwing. Re-wetting, grassland extensification and creation of ponds are proven advanced measures for their protection.
About this species ›Sand lizard on rail and ruderal areas
Railway embankments, slopes and warm ruderal areas in the city offer the strictly protected sand lizard habitat. In construction projects, relocations and creation of replacement habitats with sun and shelter structures are often necessary.
About this species ›Skylark in the rural edge area
The skylark breeds in the open arable and grassland areas at the city edge. In construction and infrastructure projects, skylark windows, flower strips and extensive arable edge strips are proven species protection measures under section 44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Residential development
As a growing city, Delmenhorst designates new residential and infill areas. Nature conservation compensation for such projects can be efficiently met in the land-constrained city via stockpiled eco-points and eco-accounts.
Commerce and industry
Extensions and new establishments in the city's commercial and industrial areas trigger impacts. Via balanced eco-points and unsealing measures, compensation can be securely provided.
Transport and infrastructure
Road construction, bypass routes, cycle and path construction as well as proximity to motorways A28 and A1 regularly generate compensation obligations, which can be met via eco-points.
Supply and disposal, network expansion
Utility lines, flood retention and technical infrastructure projects entail impacts and often require species protection assessments as well as CEF and 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.
Eco-points in adjoining districts
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in the city of Delmenhorst
Request eco-points in the city of Delmenhorst
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the city of Delmenhorst.