Eco-points and compensation areas
City of Bonn
Eco-points and compensation areas for the Federal City of Bonn, assessed according to the numerical biotope value procedure and managed via eco-accounts under the North Rhine-Westphalia Eco-Account Ordinance and the North Rhine-Westphalia Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG). greeNature operates nationally and is your full-service partner for impact mitigation, species protection and CEF measures in Cologne Bay and at the Seven Mountains edge.
The City of Bonn at a glance
Bonn is an independent city in the south of North Rhine-Westphalia and belongs to the administrative region of Cologne. With approximately 141 square kilometres, about 330,000 people live there. As former federal capital and current federal city Bonn is the seat of numerous federal authorities, international organisations and corporations. The city area is divided into four city districts Bonn, Bad Godesberg, Beuel and Hardtberg with a total of 51 districts and is almost completely surrounded by the Rhein-Sieg district.
In terms of landscape, Bonn lies in the transition between two BfN natural regions. The vast majority of the city area with the Rhine plain and the forested terrace of the Kottenforst belongs to Cologne Bay (natural region D35), part of the Lower Rhenish Plain. The right-bank heights of Ennert as northern foothills of the Seven Mountains count to the Middle Rhine area (natural region D39). The Rhine with its floodplain, the forest areas of Kottenforst and the dry slopes of the extinct volcano Rodderberg are characteristic.
Ecologically significant are several areas of the European Natura 2000 network. Kottenforst is registered as an FFH site and together with Waldville forms the only bird protection area in the city area (Kottenforst-Waldville). In addition come the FFH site Seven Mountains with the part-area Ennert, the FFH site Sieg estuary with its naturally-oriented floodplain landscape at the confluence of Sieg and Rhine and the FFH site Rodderberg. A total of eleven nature reserves are legally established in the city area in three landscape plans (Sieg estuary, Ennert, Kottenforst).
Economically, Bonn is characterised by administration, science and services, with federal ministries and authorities, UN location, the head offices of Deutsche Post and Deutsche Telekom and the University. Housing construction and inner development, office and commercial projects in the Federal District, traffic and infrastructure projects and Rhine flood protection regularly trigger impacts, whose balance must be provided via the numerical biotope value procedure and eco-accounts under the North Rhine-Westphalia Eco-Account Ordinance and LNatSchG NRW.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D35 ›
Go to natural region D44 ›
📍 City districts
🌿 Ecological features
- FFH site and bird protection area Kottenforst-Waldville, only bird protection area in city area (Natura 2000)
- FFH site Seven Mountains with the part-area Ennert on the right Rhine bank
- FFH site Sieg estuary, naturally-oriented floodplain landscape at the confluence of Sieg and Rhine
- FFH site Rodderberg, dry habitats on an extinct volcanic cone near Mehlem
- Eleven nature reserves in three landscape plans (Sieg estuary, Ennert, Kottenforst)
- Rhine floodplain as defining flowing water with remaining floodplain forests, pollard willows and extensively managed grassland
- Forest-rich Kottenforst with forest pools and old-growth stands as habitat for bats
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationally and manages compensation projects also in the Federal City of Bonn and Cologne Bay. We know the numerical biotope value procedure applicable in North Rhine-Westphalia, the requirements of the North Rhine-Westphalia Eco-Account Ordinance and LNatSchG NRW and coordination with the lower nature conservation authority of the City of Bonn. For impacts in the densely settled urban area, we develop precisely tailored compensation, replacement and CEF measures in the Rhine floodplain, in Kottenforst and on the dry slopes of the Seven Mountains edge.
Typical measures in the city of Bonn
Floodplain restoration on Rhine and Sieg
Reconnection of oxbows, development of shallow water zones and naturally-oriented bank areas in the Rhine floodplain and at the Sieg estuary. This creates spawning and refuge areas for fish, amphibians and birds and the floodplain can again accept water during floods.
Unsealing and urban green
Removal of sealed land, roof and facade greening and creation of structured green areas in the densely built urban space. Unsealing enhances soil and microclimate and can be credited as compensation in the biotope value procedure.
Forest development in Kottenforst
Conversion of structure-poor stands into site-appropriate broadleaf and mixed forests and designation of forest refuges with old and dead wood. Cavity-rich old trees and naturally-oriented forest pools secure habitats for bats, woodpeckers and amphibians.
Traditional orchards and calcareous grassland at Seven Mountains edge
Creation and management of traditional orchards, calcareous and dry grasslands on sunny slopes of Ennert and Rodderberg. These areas are habitat for sand lizard, wild bees and thermophilic insects.
Grassland extensification in Rhine floodplain
Conversion of intensively used land into species-rich extensively managed and wet grassland with adjusted cutting seasons. Such meadows in the floodplain of Rhine and Sieg promote meadow-breeding birds, amphibians and insect diversity.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Advance and population-supporting measures under § 44 and § 45 BNatSchG, such as substitute roosts for bats on buildings and in forest, substitute habitats for sand lizard on railway embankments and slopes and sunny substitute spawning waters for amphibians.
Protected species in the Cologne Bay, Rhine floodplain and Seven Mountains edge
Bats in Kottenforst
The old-growth forests of Kottenforst are habitat for Bechstein's bat, brown long-eared bat and other species that find roosts in tree cavities and on buildings. All bats are strictly protected (Annex IV FFH Directive), substitute roosts are required as a CEF measure during demolition, renovation and felling.
About this species ›Amphibians in forest pools and floodplain
Great crested newt, yellow-bellied toad and common toad inhabit the forest pools of Kottenforst and small water bodies in Rhine floodplain. Newly created, sunny spawning waters in spatial proximity secure their breeding sites in construction and infrastructure projects.
About this species ›Sand lizard on dry slopes and railway embankments
On sunny slopes of Rodderberg and Ennert as well as on slopes and railway embankments, sand lizard is a frequent target species in settlement and infrastructure projects. Substitute habitats with sunning, egg-laying and shelter sites are standard in species protection compensation.
About this species ›Kingfisher on Rhine and Sieg
Naturally-oriented bank sections with steep banks on Sieg and Rhine provide the strictly protected kingfisher with breeding sites. In water body impacts, steep bank modelling and bank restoration are typical CEF measures.
About this species ›Hazel dormouse in forest edge and hedgerow
Structured, berry-rich woodland edges and vegetation at Kottenforst and in the Seven Mountains forelands provide strictly protected hazel dormouse with habitat. Conservation and creation of connecting woody structures secure its occurrences in impacts on woodland edges.
About this species ›European wildcat in Kottenforst
For the large contiguous woodland areas of Kottenforst and Seven Mountains, there is evidence of resettlement by European wildcat. Forest networks, disturbance-free refuge areas and the linking of forest land are effective measures here.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Housing and inner development
Bonn is growing and housing pressure is high. New building areas, densification and the reuse of conversion land lead to soil sealing and require nature conservation compensation. Owners of suitable land in the surrounding area can benefit as land providers.
Office and government locations in Federal District
The expansion of office, administrative and congress sites in the Federal District and at the locations of international organisations and corporations triggers impacts whose balance must be assessed via the numerical biotope value procedure.
Transport and infrastructure projects
Expansion and renovation of motorways and Rhine bridges, urban rail and cycle network expansion as well as transmission lines generate compensation and replacement obligations and often require species protection assessments for bats and sand lizard.
Flood protection and Rhine banks
Flood protection measures and the redesign of Rhine bank areas impact floodplain and water bodies, but can often be linked with floodplain restoration and grassland enhancement as nature conservation compensation.
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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