Eco-points and compensation areas
District of Sömmerda
Immediately available eco-points and compensation areas in Sömmerda district, assessed according to the Thuringian compensation model on the basis of the Thuringian Nature Conservation Act (ThürNatG) and the Thuringian Compensation Ordinance. greeNature is your nationwide full-service partner for compensation of impacts in the fertile Thuringian basin, from assessment to permanent securing of measures.
The District of Sömmerda at a glance
Sömmerda district is located in the centre of Thuringia and comprises approximately 807 km² with approximately 67,700 inhabitants in 37 cities and municipalities. District seat and administrative centre is Sömmerda on the Unstrut. Since Thuringia is not divided into administrative regions, the district administration itself undertakes the tasks of the lower nature conservation authority.
In terms of natural regions, the district belongs to the BfN natural region Thuringian basin with edge plateaus (D18). The gently rolling, loess-characterised basin is one of Germany's most fertile arable landscapes. In the north, the edge plateaus of Hainleite, Schmücke and Hohe Schrecke bound the basin, whilst Unstrut with its tributaries Gera, Helbe, Gramme and Lossa drains the area.
Ecologically significant are the wetlands and floodplains in the midst of the open arable land. These include Alperstedter Ried, Thuringia's largest lime-rich lowland moor, the FFH site Haßlebener Ried, Alperstedter Ried, and the near-natural Unstrut lowland at Schallenburg with oxbows and floodplain grassland. The beech forests of Hohe Schrecke in the north are habitat for the European wildcat.
Economically, automotive suppliers and metal processing in the Kölleda and Weißensee area, federal motorway 71 as a north-south axis and intensive arable agriculture characterise the district. Infrastructure expansion, commercial settlements, wind energy, ground-mounted photovoltaic systems and raw material extraction regularly trigger impacts assessed according to the Thuringian compensation model on the basis of ThürNatG and the Thuringian Compensation Ordinance.
🗺️ Associated natural regions
Go to natural region D18 ›
📍 Selected municipalities
🌿 Ecological features
- Alperstedter Ried, Thuringia's largest lime-rich lowland moor, as a nature reserve of approximately 102 hectares
- FFH site Haßlebener Ried, Alperstedter Ried as an important wet and peat habitat in the midst of arable land
- FFH site Unstrut lowland at Schallenburg with oxbows and extensively used floodplain grassland
- Beech forests of Hohe Schrecke in the north as habitat for the European wildcat, partly extending into Kyffhäuserkreis
- The Unstrut as main river with tributaries Gera, Helbe, Gramme and Lossa defines the valley lowlands
- Fertile, loess-characterised Thuringian basin as one of the most intensive arable landscapes in Germany
✅ greeNature on the ground
greeNature operates nationwide and manages compensation projects in Sömmerda district in the heart of the Thuringian basin. We know the lower nature conservation authority of Sömmerda district, assessment of impact and compensation according to the Thuringian compensation model and the requirements of ThürNatG and the Thuringian Compensation Ordinance from project practice. Focal points are the upgrade of impoverished arable land, restoration of Unstrut and side waters, development of lowland moors in Alperstedter and Haßlebener Ried and near-natural forest conversion in Hohe Schrecke. From impact assessment through land provision to implementation, management, monitoring and permanent legal securing, we undertake the entire process, for municipal as well as private project developers.
Typical measures in the district of Sömmerda
arable extensification and PIK
Creation of lark windows, flowering strips and field margins in the intensively used loess arable land of the Thuringian basin, also as production-integrated compensation (PIK) with continued management by the farmer.
aue and flowing water restoration
Dismantling of bank structures, creation of watercourse buffer strips and reconnection of oxbows to Unstrut, Gera, Helbe and Gramme to improve aue and waterbody habitats for fish, kingfisher and amphibians.
lowland moor and wetland development
Re-wetting, extensive mowing and management of lime-rich lowland moors in Alperstedter and Haßlebener Ried to secure meadow-breeding birds, amphibians and rare damp habitats.
near-natural forest conversion
Development of site-appropriate beech and broadleaf mixed forests with high proportions of mature and deadwood in Hohe Schrecke to upgrade habitats of European wildcat and forest-dependent bat species.
orchards and hedgerows
Creation and rejuvenation of orchard meadows and hedge structures on the Muschelkalk edges and settlement areas as stepping-stone habitats that network the open arable landscape for birds, insects and small mammals.
species protection CEF and FCS
Tailored measures under §§ 44 and 45 BNatSchG, such as bat shelters in forest and buildings, sand lizard habitats on railway embankments and slopes and habitat improvements for meadow-breeding birds.
Protected species in the Central Thuringian basin on the Unstrut
skylark
Characteristic species of the open loess arable land of the Thuringian basin, whose populations suffer under intensive agriculture. Lark windows, flowering strips and field margins are among the most effective promotional measures.
About this species ›northern lapwing
Meadow-breeding bird of damp grasslands and arable depressions, for instance in the Unstrut and Gramme floodplain and in the vicinity of Alperstedter Ried. It benefits from re-wetting and late mowing.
About this species ›European wildcat
The contiguous beech forests of Hohe Schrecke in the north of the district are among the habitats of the strictly protected wildcat. Near-natural forest conversion, forest edge development and securing of migration corridors are typical upgrades.
About this species ›bats
The old beech forests of Hohe Schrecke as well as buildings and cellars in the district offer Bechstein's bat, greater mouse-eared bat and other species hunting and shelter space. Shelter losses often trigger advance compensation measures (CEF).
About this species ›great crested newt
An amphibian species protected under Annex II of the FFH Directive in lime-rich lowland moors and small waters, including Alperstedter and Haßlebener Ried. Newly created spawning waters are a typical compensation measure.
About this species ›kingfisher
Breeding bird of near-natural flowing waters with steep banks on Unstrut and Gera. Bank restoration and securing of erosion banks improve its living conditions in the valley lowlands.
About this species ›Which projects trigger a compensation obligation?
traffic and infrastructure
Federal motorway 71 crosses the district as a north-south axis, with federal and state roads, town bypasses and the railway line between Erfurt and Sangerhausen added. Expansion and maintenance of these transport routes trigger compensation and replacement obligations under the impact mitigation regulation.
commerce and industry
Automotive suppliers and metal processing in the Kölleda and Weißensee area and commercial sites around Sömmerda lead to land sealing and compensation requirements when expanding and settling. Owners of suitable land can benefit as providers.
renewable energies
Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems and wind turbines on arable and conversion land in the open Thuringian basin trigger compensation and species protection requirements, often combined with measures for field birds and bats.
raw material extraction
The extraction of gravel and sand in the Unstrut and Gera lowland impacts soil and biotopes. Reclamation and subsequent use of extraction sites also provide areas for high-value compensation 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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in the district of Sömmerda
Request eco-points in the district of Sömmerda
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