Eco-points in natural region D13
Oberlausitzer Heideland
The natural region Oberlausitzer Heideland (BfN major natural region D13) lies mainly in Saxony and extends at its margin into Brandenburg. Here, greeNature, as a partner active nationwide, develops eco-points and compensation sites under the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance and supports project developers from the impact assessment through to the recognised measure.
Natural region D13 at a glance
The Oberlausitzer Heideland forms the flat lowland belt in the north of the Oberlausitz. It is characterised by extensive chains of ponds, sandy heaths, nutrient-poor pine woodland, mires and seasonally wet lowlands. At its core, the Oberlausitzer Heide- und Teichlandschaft contains the largest contiguous pond district in Germany, with more than 1,000 managed water bodies. Its location at the transition from an Atlantic to a continental climate produces a high diversity of habitats within a small area.
Geologically, the landscape goes back to the Elsterian and Saalian glaciations. Glacial sands, remnants of ground moraine and the channels of the Ice Age glacial spillways (Urstromtäler) determine the flat relief with only slight differences in elevation. In the east, the Muskauer Faltenbogen stands out as a folded structure of lignite and clay layers, today a UNESCO Global Geopark. The near-surface lignite deposits led to extensive opencast mining, whose post-mining landscape is being restored and flooded to form the Lausitzer Seenland.
The natural region is exceptionally rich in nature conservation terms. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Oberlausitzer Heide- und Teichlandschaft has existed since 1996, complemented by nature reserves such as the Königsbrücker Heide and the Dubringer Moor, as well as numerous Natura 2000 sites under the FFH and Birds Directives. The pond and wetland habitats are home to, among others, the strongest Eurasian otter population nationwide, breeding white-tailed eagles and significant populations of the fire-bellied toad.
For impacts, the statutory impact mitigation regulation applies under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG in conjunction with the Saxon Nature Conservation Act. Compensation can be prepared through an eco-account and eco-points under the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance, with assessment following the Saxon Recommendation for Assessing Impacts. The lower nature conservation authorities of the districts of Bautzen and Görlitz are responsible; for the Brandenburg fringe area, that state's own law applies. Special species protection under § 44 BNatSchG regularly needs to be considered in this species-rich natural region, often with advance CEF measures.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Oberlausitzer Heide- und Teichlandschaft (since 1996), with the largest contiguous pond district in Germany
- One of the strongest Eurasian otter populations nationwide, as well as a significant breeding population of the white-tailed eagle
- Numerous Natura 2000 sites under the FFH and Birds Directives
- Muskauer Faltenbogen, a UNESCO Global Geopark and a special geological formation folded during the Ice Age
- Königsbrücker Heide, a large-scale nature reserve with undisturbed succession on a former military training area
- Dubringer Moor, one of the largest mire and wetland areas in Saxony
- Post-mining landscape of the Lusatian lignite mining district, with the emerging Lausitzer Seenland
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature works nationwide and knows the responsible authorities and the state law of the region. In Saxony, compensation is governed by the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance and the Recommendation for Assessing and Accounting for Impacts, recorded in the compensation area register and agreed with the lower nature conservation authorities of the districts of Bautzen and Görlitz. For the Brandenburg fringe areas of the natural region, we take the law applicable there into account.
Typical measures in natural region D13
Enhancing ponds and waters
Extensifying pond management and developing silting-up zones, reed beds and structurally rich banks to benefit the Eurasian otter, waterbirds and amphibians.
Managing and developing sandy heathland
Scrub clearance, turf stripping (plaggen) and grazing of nutrient-poor sandy heaths, to permanently preserve open habitats for the sand lizard, heathland birds and insects.
Rewetting mires
Raising water levels and removing drainage ditches in fen and transitional mires, to stabilise peat-forming vegetation and contribute to climate protection.
Converting pine plantations to mixed woodland
Near-natural conversion of structurally poor pine stands into site-appropriate oak-birch and mixed woodland with a more stable species composition.
Restoring watercourses
Removing artificial structures and developing continuous, meandering watercourses with accompanying floodplains along the Spree, Schwarze Elster and tributary streams.
Creating new small water bodies
Creating sunlit spawning waters and ponds as advance CEF measures for the fire-bellied toad, great crested newt and other strictly protected amphibians.
Protected species in the Oberlausitzer Heideland
Eurasian otter
The pond district supports one of the strongest Eurasian otter populations nationwide. This species, protected under Annexes II and IV of the FFH Directive, requires continuous, low-disturbance waters.
White-tailed eagle
In the heath and pond landscape, the white-tailed eagle breeds at a remarkable density. This species, protected under European law, depends on fish-rich waters and undisturbed nest trees.
Fire-bellied toad
The fire-bellied toad has one of its largest and most contiguous populations in Saxony here. It inhabits shallow, sunlit ponds and small water bodies and is strictly protected under Annexes II and IV of the FFH Directive.
About this species ›Great crested newt
The great crested newt uses fish- and vegetation-rich small water bodies in the pond and heath landscape. For this species, protected under Annexes II and IV of the FFH Directive, connected spawning waters and terrestrial habitats are essential.
About this species ›Kingfisher
The kingfisher breeds in steep banks along clear ponds, ditches and watercourses. This species, protected under the Birds Directive, benefits from near-natural banks and a good supply of small fish.
About this species ›Pond bat
The pond bat hunts low over the open water surfaces of the pond district. This species, listed under Annexes II and IV of the FFH Directive, needs low-disturbance roosts and insect-rich waters.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D13
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 D13
Request eco-points in natural region D13
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the Oberlausitzer Heideland.