Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Göttingen
Eco-points and compensation areas available immediately from the habitat value procedure, assessed under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG and the Lower Saxony Implementation Act (NAGBNatSchG). greeNature operates nationwide and supports your compensation in the hill and Harz country of southern Lower Saxony as a full-service partner.
The District of Göttingen at a glance
Göttingen district lies in the far south of Lower Saxony and, since its merger with Osterode am Harz district in November 2016, has been the federal state's largest district by area. The district seat is the university town of Göttingen. The district stretches from the Weser Uplands on the border with Hesse, across the Leine Graben and the Lower Eichsfeld, to the wooded South Harz.
In terms of landscape, the western and central part belongs to the Lower Saxon Hill Country with the Weser and Leine Uplands (BfN natural region D36), shaped by shell-limestone ridges such as the Göttinger Wald, sandstone ridges and the fertile river valleys of the Leine, Rhume and Werra. The eastern part around Osterode, Herzberg, Bad Lauterberg and Bad Sachsa lies within the Harz (natural region D37). At Hann. Münden, the Fulda and Werra rivers merge to form the Weser.
Ecologically, the district is highly diverse. The Seeburger See, the only naturally formed larger lake in the hill country of southern Lower Saxony, is an FFH site, and the gypsum karst landscape of the South Harz, with sinkholes, karst springs and caves, is considered unique in Germany. The beech forests of the Göttinger Wald and Bramwald are core habitat for the European wildcat, and the Rhume spring near Rhumspringe is one of the largest karst springs in northern Germany.
Economically, the district is shaped by the university with Göttingen University Medicine (UMG), research institutions, and commerce and tourism. Infrastructure projects on the A7 and A38 motorways, grid expansion (the SuedLink high-voltage line), wind energy in the hill country, and gypsum extraction in the South Harz regularly trigger impacts. In Lower Saxony, compensation and replacement are assessed using the habitat value procedure in value units (eco-points), based on the guidance documents of the NLWKN.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D36 ›
Go to natural region D47 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- The largest district in Lower Saxony by area, formed in 2016 through the merger with Osterode am Harz district
- FFH site Seeburger See, the only naturally formed larger lake in the hill country of southern Lower Saxony (a sinkhole lake)
- Gypsum karst landscape in the South Harz with sinkholes, karst springs and caves, including near Bad Sachsa and Walkenried
- Rhume spring near Rhumspringe, one of the largest karst springs in northern Germany
- Göttinger Wald and Bramwald, shell-limestone beech forests providing habitat for the European wildcat
- Münden Nature Park at the source of the Weser, where the Fulda and Werra rivers merge
- The Leine, Rhume and Werra floodplains as habitat network corridors through the hill country
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and also manages compensation projects in the hill and Harz country of southern Lower Saxony. We know the lower nature conservation authority of Göttingen district, the assessment of impact and compensation using the habitat value procedure, and the requirements of the NAGBNatSchG and the NLWKN guidance documents from practical experience. From land selection in natural regions D36 and D37 through to recognition, we support your project in full.
Typical measures in the district of Göttingen
Floodplain and watercourse restoration
Reconnection of oxbows, near-natural bank development and removal of reinforcement on the Leine, Rhume and Werra. This creates steep banks, gravel banks and riparian woodland as habitat for the kingfisher, fish and amphibians in the valley lowlands of the hill country.
Calcareous grassland and dry slopes
Management and restoration of species-rich semi-dry grassland on the shell-limestone slopes of the Göttinger Wald and in the Lower Eichsfeld through grazing and scrub clearance. These areas are home to rare orchids, wild bees and warmth-loving insects.
Deciduous forest and woodland edge development
Conversion of structurally poor stands into site-appropriate mixed beech and oak forests, along with promoting old and dead wood. Such measures enhance the habitats of the European wildcat, Bechstein's bat and black stork in the large forest areas.
Traditional orchards and hedgerows
Creation and reactivation of traditional orchards and hedgerow structures in the Leine Uplands and Lower Eichsfeld. As stepping-stone habitats, they connect the landscape and create habitat for the hazel dormouse, red-backed shrike and wild bees.
Grassland extensification and rewetting
Conversion of intensively used land into species-rich wet meadows around the Seeburger See, the Seeanger and in the valley floodplains. Adapted water levels and late mowing benefit meadow-breeding birds and amphibians.
CEF and FCS species protection
Securing bat roosts in the caves and galleries of the South Harz gypsum karst, creating sand lizard habitats on railway embankments and slopes, and installing amphibian guidance systems, tailored to §§ 44 and 45 BNatSchG.
Protected species in the Göttingen Leine Uplands and South Harz
European wildcat
The contiguous deciduous forests of the Göttinger Wald, Bramwald, Kaufunger Wald and Harz are among the core habitats of the strictly protected European wildcat. Woodland edge development, old and dead wood, and habitat networking via the national forest network are typical enhancements.
About this species ›Bats in the gypsum karst
The caves and old galleries of the South Harz gypsum karst are important winter roosts for the greater mouse-eared bat, Bechstein's bat and other species. Securing roosts and maintaining foraging habitats are important CEF measures.
About this species ›Black stork and birds of prey
The black stork breeds in the low-disturbance forests of the hill and Harz country, while red kite and common buzzard use the open Leine valley as a hunting ground. Extensively managed grassland and quiet forest areas are key FCS measures here.
About this species ›Great crested newt and amphibians
The Seeburger See and the ponds and sinkholes of the hill country are home to the great crested newt, European tree frog and other amphibians. Creating new small water bodies, connecting them, and installing amphibian guidance systems secure migration corridors.
About this species ›Kingfisher on the Leine and Rhume
Near-natural stretches of the Leine, Rhume and Werra, with steep banks and eroding banks, offer breeding sites for the kingfisher. Restoration and allowing self-dynamic watercourse development create permanently suitable habitats.
About this species ›Farmland birds in the Leine valley
The open arable landscapes of the Leine valley and the Lower Eichsfeld are habitat for the skylark, northern lapwing and grey partridge. Flowering strips, fallow land and extensively used field margins counteract population declines.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Transport & infrastructure
Expansion and maintenance of the A7 and A38 motorways, town bypasses, bridge structures over the Leine and Weser, and projects on the Hanover to Würzburg railway line trigger compensation and replacement obligations under the impact mitigation regulation. greeNature provides eco-points and compensation areas for this.
Energy & grid expansion
The SuedLink high-voltage line, wind energy projects in the hill and forest country, and ground-mounted photovoltaic installations generate a considerable compensation requirement. CEF measures for bats and birds are regularly required for power line routes.
Raw material extraction
Gypsum extraction in the South Harz, along with limestone and natural stone quarries, impacts valuable karst and forest habitats. Recultivation, developing replacement habitats and securing bat roosts are typical measures.
Research, hospital & settlement
Extensions to the university and Göttingen University Medicine (UMG), research buildings, and residential and commercial developments in Göttingen, Hann. Münden and Duderstadt require compensation under nature conservation law. Owners of suitable land can benefit by offering it.
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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Request eco-points in the district of Göttingen
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Göttingen.