Eco-points in natural region D16
Erzgebirge
Natural region D16 is the Erzgebirge, from the ridge areas and raised bogs on the border with the Czech Republic to the transition into the Erzgebirge foreland. Here, greeNature develops and manages compensation sites and eco-accounts under the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance, from assessment through to permanent management.
Natural region D16 at a glance
Natural region D16, the Erzgebirge, is a contiguous low mountain range along the border with the Czech Republic. The Erzgebirge rises gradually from the northern forelands and drops steeply to the south towards the Bohemian basin. With the Fichtelberg (1,215 m), Saxony's highest elevation lies here, and around thirty elevations along the ridge exceed 1,000 metres. To the west, the upland continues in the Vogtland, which extends across the state border into the eastern Thuringian Vogtland around Greiz and Gera.
Geologically, the landscape is shaped by the ancient basement rock of granite, gneiss and schist and by centuries of mining history. Silver, tin and uranium ore mining gave rise to the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. Numerous historic adits today serve as important winter roosts for bats. The harsh, high-rainfall mountain climate has produced a distinctive natural character.
Characteristic features are ridge raised bogs such as the Georgenfelder Hochmoor and the Mothäuser Heide, species-rich mountain hay meadows with arnica and spignel, near-natural mountain streams, and the stone walls known locally as Steinrücken. Large parts lie within the Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park, one of the largest and longest nature parks in Germany. In the eastern Thuringian Vogtland, the Weiße Elster flows through a near-natural gorge valley between Greiz and Wünschendorf, surrounded by the large woodland around Greiz and Werdau.
For compensation, the region offers a variety of approaches across state borders. In Saxony, assessment follows the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance (SächsÖKoVO); in the Thuringian section, compensation is governed by the ThürNatG in conjunction with §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG. Rewetting mires, managing mountain meadows, converting spruce plantations to site-appropriate mixed mountain woodland, and restoring watercourses create measurable ecological enhancements that can be credited as compensation credit.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- The Fichtelberg, at 1,215 metres Saxony's highest mountain, with around thirty elevations along the ridge above 1,000 metres.
- UNESCO World Heritage Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region since 2019, with historic mining adits as important bat winter roosts.
- The Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park (around 1,495 km²), one of the largest and longest nature parks in Germany, protects mainly the higher elevations.
- Ridge raised bogs such as the Georgenfelder Hochmoor, the Mothäuser Heide, and the Großer and Kleiner Kranichsee.
- Species-rich mountain hay meadows (FFH habitat type 6520) with arnica, spignel and other mountain plants.
- Steinrücken, the stone walls typical of the Erzgebirge, as connecting small-scale features of the cultural landscape.
- The eastern Thuringian Vogtland around Greiz and Gera, with the near-natural gorge valley of the Weiße Elster and the extensive woodlands around Greiz and Werdau.
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature is active nationwide and knows the responsibilities in Saxony and Thuringia. We secure suitable sites in the upland of the Erzgebirge and Vogtland, plan measures typical of the natural region such as mire rewetting, mountain meadow management and near-natural forest conversion, and carry out the assessment in the Saxon section under the Saxon Eco-Account Ordinance together with the Recommendation for Assessing and Accounting for Impacts, and in the Thuringian section under the ThürNatG in conjunction with §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG. We accompany the coordination with the lower nature conservation authorities and the entry into the compensation area registers through to recognition.
Typical measures in natural region D16
Developing and managing mountain hay meadows
Restoration and extensive mowing of species-rich mountain hay meadows (FFH habitat type 6520). Adapted mowing dates and forgoing fertiliser promote arnica, spignel and a rich insect fauna, creating high enhancement value.
Rewetting ridge raised bogs
Removing drainage ditches and raising water levels in the raised bogs of the ridge areas. Intact mires store carbon, secure rare mire species and improve water retention in the source areas of the Mulde and Weiße Elster.
Near-natural forest conversion
Converting structurally poor spruce plantations into site-appropriate mixed mountain woodland of European beech, silver fir and sycamore maple. Old growth and deadwood, along with tiered woodland edges, increase climate stability and habitat value.
Restoring mountain streams
Removing bank reinforcement, creating buffer strips along watercourses and restoring connectivity on the Zschopau, Flöha, Mulde and Weiße Elster. Near-natural streams support the fire salamander, brook lamprey and white-throated dipper.
Preserving and creating Steinrücken
Managing and creating the stone walls characteristic of the Erzgebirge. As sunlit, shrub-covered small-scale features, Steinrücken connect habitats and provide cover for reptiles, insects and the hazel dormouse.
Species protection: CEF and FCS
Securing bat roosts in mining adits, connecting woodland habitats for the European wildcat, and targeted habitat measures, aligned with special species protection under § 44 BNatSchG.
Protected species in the Erzgebirge
Bats
The historic mining adits of the Mining Region are among the most important bat winter roosts in Saxony. The greater mouse-eared bat, Daubenton's bat and other species overwinter here free of frost. Securing roosts and enhancing hunting habitats are typical measures.
About this species ›European wildcat
The European wildcat is returning to the contiguous, low-disturbance mountain woodlands of the Erzgebirge and Vogtland, including the large woodland around Greiz and Werdau. It depends on near-natural woodland structures and the connection of woodland habitats through wooded corridors.
About this species ›Black stork
The black stork, sensitive to disturbance, breeds in quiet mountain woodland and forages along clear woodland streams. Nest protection zones, the preservation of old-growth timber and the restoration of watercourses secure its breeding and foraging habitats.
About this species ›Kingfisher
In the near-natural gorge valley of the Weiße Elster between Greiz and Wünschendorf, and along the region's mountain streams, the kingfisher finds steep eroding banks and clean, fish-rich waters. Bank development and watercourse restoration secure its breeding and hunting habitats.
About this species ›Hazel dormouse
The hazel dormouse inhabits the Steinrücken, woodland edges and structurally rich shrubland of the upland. Preserving berry-bearing shrubs, connecting hedgerows and a shrub-rich understorey support this climbing dormouse species.
About this species ›Amphibians
The fire salamander in the cool woodland streams, and the mountain frog and common frog in mires, ponds and spring flushes, are part of the characteristic amphibian fauna here. Creating sunlit small water bodies and restoring mountain streams create valuable spawning habitats.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D16
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 D16
Request eco-points in natural region D16
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the Erzgebirge.