Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Emsland
Eco-points and compensation areas from recognised eco-accounts in Emsland district. greeNature is your full-service partner for statutory nature conservation compensation under Lower Saxony nature conservation law between the Ems, Hümmling and Bourtanger Moor.
The District of Emsland at a glance
Emsland district, at around 2,881 km², is the largest district by area in Lower Saxony. It lies in the far west of the state on the border with the Netherlands and is crossed north to south by the Emstal. There is no administrative region, as Lower Saxony abolished the regional districts (formerly Weser-Ems) in 2004.
In terms of natural regions, the north with the Hümmling belongs to the Ostfriesisch-Oldenburgische Geest (BfN natural region D26), the south around Lingen to the Dümmer Geestniederung with the Ems-Hunte-Geest (D30). Sandy Geest soils, extensive raised bogs and the floodplains of the Ems and Hase are characteristic.
Ecologically significant are the Natura 2000 Emsauen from Salzbergen to Papenburg, the remnants of the cross-border Bourtanger Moor, and the bog conservation areas Dalum-Wietmarscher Moor and Georgsdorfer Moor. These areas are important habitats for meadow and wading birds such as the northern lapwing, Eurasian curlew and black-tailed godwit.
Economically, the region has been industrialised since the Emslandplan of 1950. Today, the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, oil and gas extraction in the Lingen area, the paper and timber industry and intensive agriculture shape the district. Industrial, energy and infrastructure projects regularly trigger a compensation requirement under Lower Saxony nature conservation law here.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D30 ›
Go to natural region D26 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Natura 2000 Emsauen from Salzbergen to Papenburg (FFH site 013 Ems and EU bird protection area), around 7,712 ha
- Bourtanger Moor, one of the largest contiguous raised bogs in Central Europe, straddling the border with the Netherlands
- Nature reserves Dalum-Wietmarscher Moor and Georgsdorfer Moor (EU bird protection area V13), habitat for meadow and wading birds
- Hümmling, an extensive Geest and heathland landscape with sandy soils and traditional hedge banks (Wallhecken)
- Ems and Hase as defining watercourses with floodplain habitats, oxbows and inland dunes
- NLWKN, Meppen branch office, manages supraregional nature conservation and Natura 2000 tasks in Emsland
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and also manages compensation projects in Emsland. We are familiar with the assessment methodology under Lower Saxony nature conservation law (NAGBNatSchG), the working aids of the NLWKN and coordination with the lower nature conservation authority (Untere Naturschutzbehörde) of Emsland district from project practice. We handle the entire process, from requirement analysis to site securing and monitoring.
Typical measures in the district of Emsland
Bog rewetting
Rewetting of drained raised bog areas in the Bourtanger Moor and in the Emsland bog conservation areas. Raising water levels, removing drainage ditches and restoring peat-forming vegetation, also effective for climate protection.
Emsauen restoration
Reconnection of oxbows, development of alluvial forest and riverbank tall-herb vegetation, and extensification of the floodplains along the Ems between Salzbergen and Papenburg. Enhancement as spawning and breeding habitat within the Natura 2000 network.
Grassland extensification
Conversion of intensively used land into species-rich wet grassland as habitat for meadow birds such as the northern lapwing, black-tailed godwit and Eurasian curlew. Adapted mowing and grazing regimes secure breeding success.
Heath & sand calcareous grassland
Management and new development of sand heaths and calcareous grassland on the Geest sites of the Hümmling. Scrub clearance, turf stripping and sheep grazing maintain open, nutrient-poor habitats for specialised insects and reptiles.
Species protection CEF/FCS
Advance compensation measures (CEF) and measures to maintain conservation status (FCS) under § 44 BNatSchG, such as kingfisher nesting banks on the Ems, replacement roosts for bats and habitat structures for the sand lizard along railway and path routes.
Hedge banks & habitat network
Creation and restoration of the hedge banks typical of the Emsland Geest, as well as field copses and small water bodies. These structures connect habitats and create stepping stones for amphibians, birds and small mammals in the agricultural landscape.
Protected species in the Emstal, Hümmling and Bourtanger Moor
Northern lapwing & meadow birds
The bog and grassland lowlands of Emsland are breeding grounds for the northern lapwing, black-tailed godwit and Eurasian curlew. In the EU bird protection areas, adapted grassland use and water level management are key compensation measures.
About this species ›Skylark
As a typical breeding bird of the open Geest and arable landscape, the skylark has declined sharply due to agricultural intensification. Lark plots, flowering strips and extensive field margin strips are established compensation measures.
About this species ›Bats
The alluvial forests and old farmsteads along the Ems and Hase provide hunting grounds and roosts for several bat species. In the event of impacts, roost surveys and the preservation of commuting structures, as well as replacement roosts, are required.
About this species ›Kingfisher
The kingfisher breeds in steep banks along near-natural stretches of the Ems and Hase. Restored eroded banks and the modelling of steep faces are typical compensation measures tailored to the species.
About this species ›Sand lizard
Sandy Geest soils, railway embankments and heathland margins are habitat for the strictly protected sand lizard. Infrastructure and commercial projects often require advance compensation measures with habitat structures such as sand and deadwood mounds.
About this species ›Great crested newt & amphibians
Strictly protected amphibians such as the great crested newt (Annex II FFH Directive) occur in small water bodies of the Geest and at bog margins. Creating new fish-free spawning waters is an effective measure for maintaining the population.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Shipbuilding & the Ems
The Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg and hydraulic engineering projects on the Ems are among the region's defining impacts. Dredging, bank reinforcement and business expansions trigger compensation and replacement obligations within the sensitive Natura 2000 network of the Emsauen.
Energy
The Lingen area is a centre for oil and gas extraction and the energy industry, complemented by the decommissioning of the Emsland nuclear power plant, hydrogen projects and the expansion of wind power and ground-mounted photovoltaics. These projects require nature conservation compensation and species protection assessments.
Transport & infrastructure
The A31 motorway (Emslandautobahn), the planned expansion of the E233 European route between the A31 and A1 motorways, and rail and pipeline routes lead to significant impacts on soil, woody vegetation and watercourses, and therefore to a compensation requirement.
Settlement & commerce
New residential and commercial areas in Meppen, Lingen, Papenburg and the joint municipalities require compensation measures as part of urban land-use planning (§ 1a BauGB). Farmers can provide suitable land as eco-account or compensation sites.
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 Emsland
Request eco-points in the district of Emsland
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Emsland.