Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Friesland
Eco-points and full-service compensation in Friesland district, assessed using the habitat value procedure and the NAGBNatSchG. From the marsh on the Jadebusen, through the Geest around Zetel and Bockhorn, to the island of Wangerooge in the Wadden Sea.
The District of Friesland at a glance
Friesland district lies on the Lower Saxony North Sea coast and covers around 610 square kilometres with about 100,000 inhabitants in eight unitary municipalities. The district seat and administrative centre is Jever. The marsh on the Jadebusen, the inland Geest around Zetel and Bockhorn, and the island of Wangerooge in the Wadden Sea are all characteristic.
In terms of natural regions, the district belongs to the Ems-Weser-Marsch (D25), the Ostfriesisch-Oldenburgische Geest (D26) and the Nordsee-Küste (D21). Large parts of the coast form part of the Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer National Park, in addition to which there are EU bird protection areas on the Jadebusen, several FFH sites and nine nature reserves. This protected landscape sets high nature conservation standards for impacts.
Impacts on nature and landscape follow §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG, given concrete form in Lower Saxony by the NAGBNatSchG. Avoidable impairments must not occur, unavoidable ones must be compensated or replaced. Assessment is carried out using the habitat value procedure, whose value points are colloquially referred to as eco-points.
Where projects trigger a compensation requirement, compensation and replacement measures can be planned in advance via an eco-account. This creates a stock of sites that can later be reliably allocated to a subsequent impact and that support the natural region's objectives.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D25 ›
Go to natural region D26 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Around the Jadebusen and on Wangerooge lies the Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer National Park, a particularly strict protected landscape with high requirements for impacts in the surrounding area.
- The high proportion of marsh grassland makes meadow and wading birds such as the northern lapwing a focus, wet grassland is a preferred form of compensation.
- Fen and marsh soils offer potential for rewetting, which combines habitat enhancement with climate protection.
- The marshes on the Jadebusen form the largest EU bird protection area in the district and shape the nature conservation assessment.
- The lower nature conservation authority (Untere Naturschutzbehörde) at Friesland district in Jever is responsible for the impact mitigation regulation.
- Competition for land between agriculture, tourism and nature conservation increases the value of pre-planned eco-account sites.
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and supports project developers in Friesland district through the entire compensation process, from determining the compensation requirement, through assessment using the habitat value procedure, to the permanent implementation and management of the measures. We develop eco-account sites, coordinate their recognition with the lower nature conservation authority and handle monitoring, so that eco-points are reliably and legally available.
Typical measures in the district of Friesland
Wet and extensively managed grassland
Development of species-rich wet and extensively managed grassland in the marsh. Adapted mowing and reduced fertilisation create habitat for meadow and wading birds and permanently raise the habitat value.
Rewetting and buffer strips
Raising water levels on fen and marsh sites. Wide buffer strips along sluices and ditches improve water retention, habitat quality and habitat value.
Small water bodies and shallow pools
Creation and restoration of shallow pools and small water bodies as spawning and feeding habitat for amphibians and as a resting area for birds.
Hedge banks and woody vegetation
Creation and management of hedge banks and field copses typical of the Geest, to connect habitats within the habitat network.
Arable land extensification
Conversion of intensively used arable land into structurally rich grassland or field margin structures that permanently enhance the site.
Reed beds and watercourse margins
Development of reed beds and near-natural banks along ditches and tidal creek margins as cover and feeding areas for birds and small animals.
Protected species in the North Sea coast on the Jadebusen
Northern lapwing
The northern lapwing breeds on wet meadows and pastures in the marsh. As a ground-nesting bird, it is sensitive to drainage and intensification of use, which is why wet grassland is a focus of compensation.
About this species ›Skylark
The skylark inhabits open grassland and arable areas. Population declines caused by intensive use make it a flagship species for measures in the open farmland.
About this species ›Bats
Various bat species use buildings, avenues and woody vegetation as roosts and hunting grounds. They are strictly protected under § 44 BNatSchG and must be assessed for demolition or clearance projects.
About this species ›Amphibians
Ditch systems and small water bodies in the marsh are home to amphibians such as newts and frogs. New spawning waters and connected migration corridors are among the effective compensation measures.
About this species ›Kingfisher
The kingfisher hunts along ditches, sluices and near-natural water bodies. Low-disturbance banks and watercourse buffer strips support its populations.
About this species ›Sand lizard
The sand lizard inhabits sunny, sandy sites on the Geest, such as dykes, railway embankments and path margins. As an Annex IV species, it often requires advance compensation measures (CEF) in the event of impacts.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Wind energy and grid expansion
The expansion of onshore wind energy as well as associated substations and cable routes affect soil and landscape and trigger a compensation requirement.
Coastal and flood protection
Dyke reinforcement and sluice structures along the Jadebusen protect the coast but require compensation in the vicinity of sensitive protected areas.
Settlement and commercial development
New residential and commercial areas in Varel, Schortens and Sande seal land and entail compensation through urban land-use planning.
Transport infrastructure
Road and rail projects, for example in the Sande and Jever area, lead to impacts subject to a compensation obligation.
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 Friesland
Request eco-points in the district of Friesland
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Friesland.