Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Herzogtum Lauenburg
Eco-points and compensation areas in Duchy of Lauenburg District, accounted for according to the impact mitigation regulation and the Eco-Account Ordinance of Schleswig-Holstein. greeNature is your full-service partner operating nationwide for compensation of impacts in the lake, forest and Elbe valley landscape in the south-east of the state.
The District of Herzogtum Lauenburg at a glance
Duchy of Lauenburg District is located in south-eastern Schleswig-Holstein between the Hanseatic city of Hamburg in the west and the state borders to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony. With around 1,263 square kilometres and approximately 206,500 residents in 132 municipalities, it is a large and simultaneously very landscape-diverse district. District seat and administrative centre is Ratzeburg. Since Schleswig-Holstein is not divided into administrative regions, the district administration is directly subordinate to the state.
In terms of natural regions, the district has shares in three BfN major landscapes. The east belongs to the Schleswig-Holstein Hilly Land (natural region D23) with the glacial moraine and lake landscape around Ratzeburg and Mölln. Here lies the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park with its numerous lakes, forests and peatlands, shaped by Weichsel glaciation.
The western and central part of the district lies on the Schleswig-Holstein Heathland (natural region D22). Here extends the Sachsenwald, the largest contiguous forest area in Schleswig-Holstein. In the south, the Elbe valley lowland (natural region D09) accompanies the river with floodplain grassland, oxbows and the high Elbe bank near Lauenburg. Characteristic for the entire cultural landscape are the knicks, hedgerows, which as a biotope network determine the landscape appearance.
Economically, the district's west is strongly shaped by the Hamburg hinterland, with sustained settlement and commercial pressure in Geesthacht, Wentorf and Schwarzenbek. The east lives from agriculture and tourism in the lake landscape. Transport and infrastructure projects, residential and commercial development and raw material extraction regularly trigger impacts whose compensation in Schleswig-Holstein must be undertaken according to §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG in conjunction with the State Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG SH) and via eco-account according to the Eco-Account Ordinance.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D23 ›
Go to natural region D04 ›
Go to natural region D22 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park, with over 470 km² one of the largest nature parks in Schleswig-Holstein, with around 40 lakes, forests and peatlands
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Schaalsee borders immediately to the east and forms with the nature park a large cross-border protected area landscape at the former inner-German border
- Biosphere Reserve River Landscape Elbe with the Elbe valley floodplain, the high Elbe bank between Lauenburg and Tesperhude as westernmost part of the cross-state reserve
- Sachsenwald, with around 65 km² the largest contiguous forest area in Schleswig-Holstein
- Ratzeburg Lake, Schaalsee and further glacial lakes as FFH and bird protection sites in the Natura 2000 network
- Extensive knick landscape (hedgerows) as landscape-shaping and legally protected biotope network
- Numerous nature conservation areas in the district, particularly in the east's lake and peatland landscape
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with Schleswig-Holstein's compensation system. We account for impacts according to the impact mitigation regulation (§§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG) in conjunction with the State Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG SH) and secure enhancements via eco-account according to the Eco-Account Ordinance. For Duchy of Lauenburg District, we work with the lower nature conservation authority of the district and the State Office for Environment (LfU) and consider the characteristics of the lake and moraine landscape (natural region D23), heathland with Sachsenwald (D22) and Elbe valley lowland (D09). Because compensation in Schleswig-Holstein should work effectively in the affected natural region, we ensure nature-region-appropriate land and region-typical measures. From needs determination through land securing to implementation, management and monitoring, we accompany your project from a single source. Where species protection requirements exist under § 44 BNatSchG, we conceive precautionary CEF measures that continuously secure ecological function for affected species.
Typical measures in the district of Herzogtum Lauenburg
Knick creation and management
Creation, supplementation and proper management of hedgerows (knicks) characteristic of the region. As legally protected biotopes, they network habitats, act as stepping-stones in the habitat network and ecologically enhance cleared arable land.
Peatland restoration and re-wetting
Raising of water levels and removal of drainage ditches in the lake landscape's lowland and kettle peatlands. Such measures secure peat-typical habitats, bind carbon and achieve high enhancements in eco-account assessment.
Lake and water restoration
Removal of bank reinforcement, development of near-natural shore and transition zones at Lauenburg lakes and creation of small water bodies and pools. They create habitat for amphibians, dragonflies, reedbed-nesting birds and kingfisher.
Floodplain and grassland extensification
Conversion of intensively used land into species-rich, extensively managed wet and floodplain grassland in the Elbe valley lowland and stream valleys. Adapted mowing dates, cessation of fertilisation and creation of puddles promote meadow-breeding birds and floodplain habitats.
Forest conversion and replacement afforestation
Development of site-native deciduous and riparian forests with pedunculate oak, European beech, hornbeam and black alder on heathland and in lowlands. Replacement afforestations serve as compensation for felled stocks and as permanently secured compensation land.
Species protection CEF and FCS
Precautionary compensation measures under § 44 BNatSchG, such as alternative bat roosts in old timber stocks and buildings, breeding water bodies for amphibians and habitat structures for hazel dormouse and meadow-breeding birds, each coordinated with the specific project.
Protected species in the Lauenburg lakes, Sachsenwald and Elbe valley
Bats in forest and settlement
Sachsenwald and old tree stocks of the lake landscape provide roosts for strictly protected bat species (FFH Annex IV). In tree felling or building demolition, alternative roosts as precautionary CEF measures under § 44 BNatSchG are required.
About this species ›Hazel dormouse in knicks and forest edges
The strictly protected hazel dormouse inhabits structurally rich knicks, shrubs and forest edges. Where woodland structures are affected, connector plantings and retention of networked hedgerow lines secure the species' habitats.
About this species ›Amphibians in the lake landscape
Great crested newt, tree frog and further amphibians inhabit the numerous small water bodies, peatlands and lakes. In the border-near Schaalsee region, the european red-bellied toad, significant throughout Europe, also occurs. Newly created breeding water bodies secure breeding sites during impacts.
About this species ›Meadow-breeding birds in the Elbe valley
The Elbe valley lowland's wet and floodplain grassland is breeding and staging area for northern lapwing and further meadow-breeding birds. Re-wetting, creation of puddles and grassland extensification are proven measures for maintaining open habitats.
About this species ›Kingfisher on lakes and streams
Near-natural shore sections of the lakes and flowing waters provide kingfisher with feeding and breeding habitats. Steep bank modelling and shore restoration are typical CEF elements in water impacts.
About this species ›White-tailed eagle and sea eagle at Lauenburg lakes
The large, fish-rich lakes and adjacent forests are habitat for white-tailed eagle and sea eagle. Their nest sites require disturbance-free surroundings, which must be considered in planning impacts and measures.
Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
Settlement and commercial development
In Hamburg hinterland, residential and commercial areas develop, particularly in Geesthacht, Wentorf, Schwarzenbek and Büchen. Nature conservation compensation can be efficiently covered via stockpiled eco-points from an eco-account.
Transport and infrastructure projects
Motorways A24 (Hamburg-Berlin) and A21 cross the district, plus the Hamburg-Berlin railway line, bypasses and cycle and footpath construction. Such projects regularly trigger compensation and replacement obligations.
Wind energy and network expansion
Wind energy expansion and associated power lines create compensation requirements and frequently require species protection assessments and FCS measures for wind-sensitive species.
Raw material extraction and flood protection
Gravel and sand extraction on the heathland as well as dike and flood protection measures on the Elbe impact nature and landscape. These projects require nature-region-appropriate compensation and replacement measures.
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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