Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Gifhorn
Eco-points immediately available from officially recognised eco-accounts for impacts in Gifhorn district. greeNature is your nationwide full-service partner for compensation under Lower Saxony nature conservation law (NAGBNatSchG) in the Südheide and the Aller-Ise lowlands.
The District of Gifhorn at a glance
Gifhorn district lies in the east of Lower Saxony at the transition from the Weser-Aller-Flachland to the Lüneburg Heath. Characteristic features are the sandy Geest ridges of the Südheide, extensive bogs and the broad lowlands of the Aller, Ise and Oker. There is no separate administrative region, as Lower Saxony abolished the district level in 2004.
Geologically, ice-age sands and ground moraines shape the landscape. Raised bogs, heathland and pine forests have developed on the nutrient-poor Geest soils, while the river lowlands support wet grassland, remnants of alluvial forest and swamp woodland. This diversity creates a mosaic of dry sandy sites and wet bog and floodplain habitats.
Ecologically significant is the Großes Moor near Gifhorn, one of the largest nature reserves in Lower Saxony and both an FFH site and an EU bird protection area. In addition, there is the Aller lowlands with the Barnbruch and the cross-border UNESCO Drömling Biosphere Reserve in the southeast. For compensation and replacement under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG, these areas offer high-value enhancement potential.
Economically, the district benefits from its proximity to the Volkswagen site in Wolfsburg, from suppliers and companies such as the Butting Group in Knesebeck, and from continued significant agriculture. Major infrastructure projects, above all the planned new construction of the A39 motorway, generate considerable compensation requirements, which are assessed using the Lower Saxony habitat value procedure.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D28 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Großes Moor near Gifhorn, FFH site 315 and EU bird protection area V45, one of the largest nature reserves in Lower Saxony
- Allertal with Barnbruch, FFH site 090 (Aller with Barnbruch, lower Leine, lower Oker) and EU bird protection area V47
- UNESCO Drömling Biosphere Reserve in the southeast, cross-border with Saxony-Anhalt
- Aller, Ise and Oker as defining watercourses with remnants of alluvial forest and wet grassland
- Sandy Geest ridges of the Südheide with heathland, sand calcareous grassland and pine forests
- Elbe-Seitenkanal and Mittellandkanal as waterways of significant importance for water management
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and works in Lower Saxony under the NAGBNatSchG and the working aids of the NLWKN. We assess impact and compensation using the Lower Saxony habitat value procedure, coordinate measures with the lower nature conservation authority (Untere Naturschutzbehörde) of Gifhorn district, and know the regional site and eco-account structures in the Südheide and the Aller-Ise lowlands from project practice.
Typical measures in the district of Gifhorn
Bog restoration
Rewetting of drained raised bog areas around the Großes Moor, removal of drainage ditches and promotion of peat moss regeneration. Such measures secure habitats for the large white-faced darter and also bind carbon.
Floodplain and watercourse restoration
Reconnection of oxbows, near-natural bank development and bed enhancement on the Aller, Ise and Oker. This creates habitats for otter, beaver and kingfisher and improves the connectivity of the watercourses.
Grassland extensification
Conversion of intensively used wet meadows in the Aller and Ise lowlands into species-rich extensively managed grassland. Adapted mowing and grazing create breeding habitats for meadow-breeding birds such as the northern lapwing.
Heathland and sand calcareous grassland management
Scrub clearance, turf stripping and extensive grazing on the Geest ridges of the Südheide. This management maintains nutrient-poor open-land habitats and supports heat-loving species such as the sand lizard.
Swamp and alluvial forest development
Development of alder swamp and alluvial forest along the river lowlands using site-native woody species such as black alder, ash and pedunculate oak. These forests stabilise the water balance and connect habitats.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Creation of spawning waters for the great crested newt, bat roosts and sunlit habitat structures for the sand lizard. These measures are implemented under § 44 BNatSchG as advance CEF or FCS measures.
Protected species in the Südheide and Aller-Ise lowlands
Otter and beaver
Aller, Oker and Ise are core habitats for otter and beaver, both species listed in the annex to the FFH Directive. Near-natural banks, old watercourses and unobstructed stretches are typical enhancement targets in compensation.
Great crested newt
In the still waters of the Barnbruch and the Aller lowlands, the great crested newt finds suitable spawning habitats. The creation and connection of sunlit, fish-free small water bodies is well suited to CEF measures under § 44 BNatSchG.
About this species ›Bats
The greater mouse-eared bat, among others, occurs along the Aller, Oker and Leine. Old broadleaf woodland, watercourse margins and roost-rich structures are essential for hunting and reproduction and can be specifically developed.
About this species ›Northern lapwing and meadow-breeding birds
The wet lowlands of the Aller and Ise offer habitat for meadow-breeding birds such as the northern lapwing. Extensively used, structurally rich wet grassland with high water levels in spring supports breeding success.
About this species ›Sand lizard
On the sandy Geest soils of the Südheide, along railway embankments and path margins, the sand lizard inhabits sunny, open sites. Sand patches, stone piles and sparse vegetation are established elements of species protection measures.
About this species ›Large white-faced darter and bog species
The Großes Moor near Gifhorn is designated as an FFH site for the protection of the large white-faced darter. Rewetting and the creation of bog-typical small water bodies support this species and other bog-typical species.
Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
A39 motorway (gap closure)
The planned new construction of the A39 between Wolfsburg and Lüneburg runs through Gifhorn district and is one of the largest transport projects in Germany. The route affects FFH and Natura 2000 sites and triggers extensive compensation, replacement and species protection obligations.
Automotive industry and commerce
The proximity to the Volkswagen site in Wolfsburg, supplier companies and businesses such as the Butting Group in Knesebeck are driving the designation of commercial and industrial areas. Business expansions and new sites regularly generate a compensation requirement.
Energy and grids
Ground-mounted photovoltaic installations on Geest sites, wind energy and the expansion of the power grid require nature conservation compensation. For projects near woodland and open-land habitats, species protection assessments and CEF measures are required.
Settlement and infrastructure
Residential and commercial areas in Gifhorn, Wittingen and the joint municipalities, as well as projects on the Elbe-Seitenkanal and Mittellandkanal, require compensation measures. Owners of suitable land in the lowlands can offer their land as 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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