Eco-points in natural region D09
Elbtalniederung
greeNature develops and manages nature conservation compensation areas in natural region D09, the Elbtalniederung. As a partner operating nationwide, we implement compensation and replacement measures according to the requirements of the Elbe riparian states, with the main Lower Saxony portion based on the NAGBNatSchG and the biotope-value procedure.
Natural region D09 at a glance
Natural region D09, the Elbtalniederung, extends as a band-shaped river floodplain along the Middle Elbe through five federal states. Lower Saxony holds the largest and ecologically most defining share, with the Elbe valley floodplain in the Wendland and around Lüneburg. To the north and east of the Elbe lie Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (the Ludwigslust and Boizenburg area) and Brandenburg (Prignitz), to the south the Altmark in Saxony-Anhalt, and further downstream the district of Herzogtum Lauenburg in Schleswig-Holstein.
Geologically, this is an ice-age glacial valley. Over the thick sands and gravels of the valley sands lie younger floodplain loams and floodplain sands of the recent floodplain. Characteristic features are extensive drift sand dunes such as at the Gartower Forst, scattered geest islands and individual distinctive elevations such as the Höhbeck, which rises clearly above the flat lowland.
Ecologically, the Elbtalniederung is one of the most valuable river landscapes in Central Europe. Remnants of hardwood floodplain forest, oxbows, wet grasslands and reed beds characterise the still largely unaltered floodplain. The Wendland has the highest density of white storks in Germany, the Middle Elbe is the region of origin of the Elbe beaver, and the extensive grasslands are an internationally important resting and wintering area for northern geese and whooper swans. Large parts lie within the cross-border UNESCO Biosphere Reserve River Landscape Elbe and within the Naturpark Elbhöhen-Wendland.
The compensation framework follows the federal impact mitigation regulation under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG, supplemented by the respective state law. In the main Lower Saxony portion, compensation is measured using the biotope-value procedure under the NAGBNatSchG, with banking carried out as an eco-account under § 16 BNatSchG. For strictly protected species, species protection under § 44 BNatSchG and, where necessary, advance compensation measures (CEF) and measures to maintain favourable conservation status (FCS) must be observed. The numerous FFH and bird sanctuary sites along the Elbe require careful examination of possible impacts.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- The cross-border UNESCO Biosphere Reserve River Landscape Elbe, including the Niedersächsische Elbtalaue
- The highest density of white storks in Germany, in the Wendland
- The Middle Elbe as the region of origin and refuge of the Elbe beaver (Castor fiber albicus)
- Naturpark Elbhöhen-Wendland with floodplains, geest and drift sand dunes
- Extensive hardwood floodplain forests, oxbows and wet grasslands of the still largely unaltered floodplain
- An internationally important resting and wintering area for northern geese and whooper swans
- Drift sand dunes (Gartow) and geest islands, overlooked by the Höhbeck
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with the different compensation systems of the Elbe riparian states, from Lower Saxony's biotope-value procedure under the NAGBNatSchG to the separate eco-account and assessment regulations in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein. We coordinate measures with the relevant lower nature conservation authorities and the biosphere reserve administrations, and support projects from securing the site through to long-term management.
Typical measures in natural region D09
Floodplain forest development
Restoring site-appropriate hardwood floodplain forest with pedunculate oak, elm and ash in the recent and former floodplain, secured long-term and adapted to the flooding dynamics of the Elbe.
Wet grassland extensification
Converting intensively used land into species-rich wet grassland as breeding and feeding habitat for white stork, northern lapwing and other meadow birds.
Floodplain and watercourse restoration
Reconnecting oxbows, creating flood channels and near-natural bank development on Elbe tributaries such as the Jeetzel and Seege, combined where possible with dyke relocation.
Small water bodies and shallow pools
Creating sunlit spawning waters for great crested newt, fire-bellied toad and other amphibians in the floodplain, suitable as an advance compensation measure (CEF).
Species protection CEF and FCS
Measures under § 44 BNatSchG, such as steep banks for the kingfisher, roosts in old-growth stands for bats and foraging areas for the white stork.
Hedgerows, field copses and traditional orchards
Habitat network connectivity on geest margins and dunes through hedgerows, field copses and traditional orchards as stepping-stone habitats between floodplain and geest.
Protected species in the Elbtalniederung
White stork and black stork
The Wendland has the highest density of white storks in Germany, while the black stork breeds in quiet floodplain woodland. Typical measures include wet grassland, flood hollows and undisturbed foraging areas.
About this species ›Great crested newt and fire-bellied toad
Oxbows and small water bodies of the floodplain are habitat for great crested newt and fire-bellied toad, which reaches its western distribution limit here. Creating and connecting spawning waters are effective CEF measures.
About this species ›Kingfisher
The kingfisher inhabits steep banks on the Elbe, Jeetzel and Seege. Creating steep banks and the near-natural development of fish-rich bankside waters secure breeding habitats.
About this species ›Northern lapwing and meadow birds
The wet grasslands of the Elbe valley floodplain are breeding grounds for northern lapwing, snipe and black-tailed godwit. Extensification, shallow pools and adapted mowing dates improve breeding success.
About this species ›Bats
Floodplain woodland rich in old growth provides roosts, while pond bat and Daubenton's bat hunt over the floodplain's waters. Preserving hollow trees and providing roosts are common species protection measures.
About this species ›Skylark
The skylark breeds on the open farmland and grassland of the geest and valley sands. Skylark plots and flower strips serve as CEF measures for impacts on the agricultural landscape.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D09
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 neighbouring natural regions
All about natural region D09
Request eco-points in natural region D09
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the Elbtalniederung.