Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Vogtlandkreis
Eco-points and compensation land from recognised eco-accounts in Vogtland. greeNature is your full-service partner for nature conservation compensation under the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance (SächsÖKoVO) between the White Elster valley, Göltzsch valley and Elster mountains.
The District of Vogtlandkreis at a glance
Vogtland District is located in the far south-west of Saxony and borders Thuringia, Bavaria and the Czech Republic. With around 1,412 km² and approximately 216,000 residents in 37 towns and municipalities, it ranks among the larger districts in Saxony. District seat and administrative centre is Plauen. There is no administrative region since Saxony abolished administrative districts in 2012.
In terms of natural regions, the district belongs to the Saxon Highland (BfN natural region D16, Erzgebirge and Vogtland). The Vogtland mountain landscape, Elster mountains in the south, and valleys of White Elster, Göltzsch and Trieb with forested slopes, mountain meadows and near-natural flowing waters characterise it.
Ecologically significant are the Natura 2000 sites Elster valley above Plauen and Vogtland ponds and valleys, the large reservoirs Pöhl, Pirk and Dröda, the Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park, and the peatland and spring areas around the spa towns Bad Elster and Bad Brambach. This framework sets high nature conservation standards for impacts.
Impacts on nature and landscape follow §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG, in Saxony specified by the Saxon Nature Conservation Act and the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance (SächsÖKoVO). Avoidable impacts are to be prevented, unavoidable ones to be compensated or replaced. Economically, the region is shaped by the textile industry (Plauen lace), musical instrument manufacture in the Musik winkel around Markneukirchen, mechanical and automotive engineering, and spa and tourism sectors. Transport, energy and commercial projects regularly trigger compensation requirements under Saxon nature conservation law.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D16 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- FFH site Elster valley above Plauen, a near-natural section of White Elster with riparian forest, rocky slopes and slope forests
- FFH site Vogtland ponds and valleys with mountain meadows, flowing waters and significant bat populations
- Reservoirs Pöhl, Pirk and Dröda as large water bodies important for drinking and process water and recreation
- Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park, encompassing the wooded south of the district
- Spa towns Bad Elster and Bad Brambach with peatland and mineral spring occurrences in the Elster mountains
- Location at the Czech Republic border (Karlovarský region) with cross-border habitats in the Elster mountains
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and manages compensation projects in Vogtland. We are familiar with assessment and accounting under the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance (SächsÖKoVO) and the associated guidance recommendation and with coordination with the lower nature conservation authority in Vogtland from project experience. From needs analysis through accounting of impact and land securing to monitoring, we undertake the complete process.
Typical measures in the district of Vogtlandkreis
Flowing water restoration
Removal of bank reinforcement, creation of riparian strips and development of riparian forest at White Elster, Göltzsch and Trieb. Restoration of continuous, structurally rich streams upgrades spawning and hunting habitats within the Natura 2000 framework.
Mountain meadows and calcareous grassland
Management and new development of species-rich mountain and wet meadows and lean slope sites typical of Vogtland. Adapted mowing without fertilisation maintains flower-rich stocks as habitat for insects and meadow-breeding birds.
Near-natural forest conversion
Conversion of structurally poor spruce plantations into climate-stable mixed forests with beech, fir and oak and development of graded forest edges. These measures improve water balance, soil protection and habitat quality in mountain locations.
Orchard and hedgerow
Creation and renovation of orchards, woodland and hedges in Vogtland cultural landscape. As stepping-stone habitats they network living spaces and create food and breeding habitat for birds, bats and small mammals.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Precautionary compensation measures (CEF) and conservation status measures (FCS) under § 44 BNatSchG, such as alternative roosts for bats, habitat structures for sand lizard on slopes and cliff faces for kingfisher.
Small water bodies and amphibians
Creation of fish-free breeding water bodies and restoration of pools as breeding habitat for strictly protected amphibians such as great crested newt. Additionally, land habitats and migration corridors in the surroundings are developed.
Protected species in the Vogtland and Elster mountains
Bats
Multiple strictly protected bat species live in Vogtland forests, caves and mines, including Barbastelle and Natterer's bat (both FFH Annex II). Projects require roost surveys, retention of flight corridors and alternative roosts.
About this species ›Black stork
The disturbance-free, water-rich forest areas of Vogtland offer black stork breeding and feeding habitats. For projects near nest sites, protection radii, construction timing and maintenance of near-natural stream floodplains as feeding areas must be observed.
About this species ›Great crested newt and amphibians
In small water bodies and reservoir margins, great crested newt (FFH Annex II) occurs together with other strictly protected amphibians. Creation of fish-free breeding water bodies is an effective measure for maintaining populations.
About this species ›Kingfisher
Kingfisher breeds in cliff faces at near-natural sections of White Elster and Göltzsch. Modelling of steep banks and restoration of watercourse banks are typical, species-adapted compensation measures.
About this species ›Sand lizard
Sun-exposed slopes, railway embankments and path margins are habitat for strictly protected sand lizard. Infrastructure and commercial projects often require precautionary compensation measures with habitat structures such as sand, stone and dead wood piles.
About this species ›Skylark
As a breeding bird of open field land in the Vogtland highlands, skylark has declined due to intensified agriculture. Lark windows, flower strips and extensive field margin strips are proven compensation measures.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Transport and infrastructure
Federal motorway A72 (Chemnitz, Hof), federal roads such as B92 and B173, and railway line expansion lead to substantial impacts on soil, woodland and water bodies and thus compensation requirements under Saxon nature conservation law.
Energy
Expansion of wind energy in the highlands and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems as well as power lines require nature conservation compensation and species protection assessments, particularly in the vicinity of forest, meadow and water habitats.
Commerce and settlement
New residential and commercial areas in Plauen, Reichenbach, Auerbach and Oelsnitz require compensation measures within land use planning (§ 1a BauGB). Municipalities and landowners can provide suitable land as eco-accounts.
Raw material extraction
Extraction of hard rock such as diabase and granite in Vogtland quarries impacts on soil, relief and habitats. Expansions and reclamations trigger compensation and replacement obligations as well as species protection requirements.
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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