Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Regionalverband Saarbrücken
Eco-points and compensation areas in the Regional Association Saarbrücken, assessed on the basis of the impact mitigation regulation of BNatSchG and the Saarland Nature Conservation Act. greeNature operates nationwide and supports projects in the Saarbrücken metropolitan area from assessment to secured compensation.
The District of Regionalverband Saarbrücken at a glance
The Regional Association Saarbrücken is a municipal association of a special kind that performs the functions of a district. It encompasses the metropolitan area around the state capital Saarbrücken and, with around 411 km² and approximately 332,000 inhabitants, lies in the densely populated heart of Saarland. In terms of natural regions, the area belongs to the Saar-Nahe Highlands and Rolling Country (BfN natural region D52).
Landscape-wise, the Regional Association is characterised by the alternation of forested ridges and deeply incised valleys. The middle Saar runs through the area from the French border at Saargemünd to beyond Völklingen, supplemented by the valleys of Köllerbach and Sulzbach. In the west lies the transnational Warndt, and to the north of Saarbrücken the extensive Saarkohlenwald.
Ecologically, the large forest areas with populations of European wildcat, mining-related landscapes with their warm-exposed spoil heaps and derelict land, and floodplain remnants along the Saar are significant. The Regional Association contains twelve nature conservation areas and also has areas included in the European Natura 2000 network, including in the Warndt.
Economically, the area is characterised by steel industry with locations in Völklingen and Saarbrücken-Burbach, further processing industries and post-mining sites from former hard coal mining. Conversion, infrastructure and residential and commercial development regularly trigger impacts that must be compensated under the impact mitigation regulation of BNatSchG and the Saarland Nature Conservation Act (eco-account under § 30 SNG).
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D52 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Warndt, extensive transnational forest area in the west with populations of European wildcat
- Saarkohlenwald to the north of Saarbrücken, former mining area with the project Primeval forest on the city's doorstep
- Twelve nature conservation areas in the Regional Association and areas included in the European Natura 2000 network
- Spoil heaps, subsidence ponds and post-mining industrial sites from former hard coal mining as warm-exposed secondary habitats
- Middle Saar valley with floodplain remnants and the valleys of Köllerbach and Sulzbach
- Densely built metropolitan area in which high-value habitats and development pressure lie in close proximity
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and understands responsibilities in Saarland. We assess impact and compensation according to the habitat value procedure based on the impact mitigation regulation of BNatSchG and the Saarland Nature Conservation Act, coordinate measures with the lower nature conservation authority at the State Office for Environment and Labour, and oversee the crediting in the eco-account under § 30 SNG. This allows compensation obligations from projects in the Regional Association Saarbrücken to be met legally securely.
Typical measures in the district of Regionalverband Saarbrücken
Floodplain development on the Saar and its tributaries
Removal of flood defences, connection of oxbow remnants and development of near-natural floodplains along the middle Saar and on Köllerbach and Sulzbach. This creates habitats for kingfisher, amphibians and water-dependent species, and also retention space for flood protection.
Post-mining areas and spoil heaps
Development of spoil heaps, subsidence ponds and post-mining industrial sites from former hard coal mining into dry and nutrient-poor sites. These warm-exposed secondary habitats are valuable for sand lizards, wild bees and pioneer plants.
Forest conversion and old and dead wood
Conversion of structurally poor stands in the Warndt and Saarkohlenwald to site-appropriate deciduous mixed forests and promotion of old and dead wood islands. Such measures enhance habitats for European wildcat, bats and hazel dormouse.
Grassland extensification and traditional orchards
Extensification of meadows and establishment of traditional orchards and hedgerows on the ridges of the Saar-Nahe Highlands and Rolling Country. These structures increase insect and bird diversity and link habitats in the cultural landscape.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Replacement roosts for bats in buildings and mines, sunny replacement breeding waters for yellow-bellied toad and great crested newt, and relocation and replacement habitats for sand lizard, in each case as advance CEF or population-supporting FCS measures under § 44 and § 45 BNatSchG.
Desealing and urban habitat network
Removal and desealing of no longer used land in the densely populated metropolitan area and creation of green links. This creates new habitats and stepping-stone habitats in the Saarbrücken metropolitan area.
Protected species in the Saarbrücken metropolitan area and Saar-Nahe Highlands and Rolling Country
Bats in forests and mines
The Warndt, the Saarkohlenwald and numerous old mine shafts provide hunting grounds and winter roosts for bats such as greater mouse-eared bat and Bechstein's bat. All native species are strictly protected (Annex IV to the Habitats Directive). Replacement roosts as a CEF measure under § 44 BNatSchG are required for demolition, renovation or mine closure.
About this species ›Sand lizard on spoil heaps and derelict land
Spoil heaps, railway embankments and post-mining industrial sites from former hard coal mining are warm-exposed habitats of the strictly protected sand lizard. For conversion and construction projects, relocation and creation of structurally rich replacement habitats with sun-spots and egg-laying sites are typical CEF measures.
About this species ›European wildcat in the forests
The large continuous forest areas Warndt and Saarkohlenwald are among the core habitats of the European wildcat (Annex IV to the Habitats Directive). Forest edge design, old and dead wood, intact forests and a functioning habitat network secure its populations with impacts.
About this species ›Amphibians in extraction and woodland waters
Yellow-bellied toads, great crested newts and other amphibians live in water-filled depressions of former extraction and mining sites, and in woodland ponds. Newly created, sunny small water bodies in spatial context secure their breeding sites for construction projects.
About this species ›Kingfisher on the Saar and streams
The middle Saar and the streams Köllerbach and Sulzbach provide kingfisher with breeding opportunities in steep banks. For water and bank construction work, steep wall structures and near-natural riverbank restoration are proven CEF measures for this strictly protected species.
About this species ›Hazel dormouse on woodland edges and hedgerows
Structurally diverse and berry-rich woodland edges, shrubland and hedgerows in the Saar-Nahe Highlands and Rolling Country are habitat for the strictly protected hazel dormouse. Preservation and creation of networked woody structures and considerate clearing times secure its populations with impacts.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Industry and steel
The Regional Association is characterised by the steel industry with locations in Völklingen and Saarbrücken-Burbach, as well as further processing industries. Operational expansions, new facilities and utility lines regularly trigger compensation obligations under the impact mitigation regulation.
Mining conversion
Following the end of hard coal mining, mine shafts, operational areas, spoil heaps and subsidence ponds are being reorganised. Conversion, afteruse and mine water management require nature conservation assessment and compensation.
Infrastructure and transport
The metropolitan area is served by motorways A1, A6, A620 and A623, the Saar railway and the Saarbrücken rail hub. Expansion and new construction, bridge structures and bypass routes generate compensation needs in the densely populated area.
Settlement, commerce and energy
Residential and commercial development in the metropolitan area, as well as photovoltaic installations on conversion and spoil heap sites, lead to impacts that can be compensated through the eco-account under § 30 SNG. Landowners can contribute suitable properties as compensation areas.
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
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in the district of Regionalverband Saarbrücken
Request eco-points in the district of Regionalverband Saarbrücken
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the district of Regionalverband Saarbrücken.