Eco-points in natural region D25
Ems-Weser-Marsch
The natural region Ems-Weser-Marsch (D25) covers the sea marshes, the Wadden Sea mudflats and the East Frisian Islands on the Ems and Weser. Here, greeNature develops compensation and replacement measures as well as eco-accounts under the impact mitigation regulation of the Lower Saxony Implementation Act for the BNatSchG (NAGBNatSchG) and supports projects nationwide.
Natural region D25 at a glance
The natural region Ems-Weser-Marsch (D25) stretches along the Lower Saxony North Sea coast and covers the East Frisian sea marshes, the river-sea marshes of the Ems and Weser, and the East Frisian Islands. This is an extensive, very flat lowland landscape whose differences in elevation are mostly just a few metres, and which in places lies below mean sea level. Defining features are the higher-lying bank areas separated from the mudflats by dykes (Hochland) and the lower-lying inland areas used mainly as grassland (Sietland).
The soil is characterised by marsh clay and tide-dependent water levels. The water table lies just a few centimetres below the surface in many places, which is why the land is intensively drained through a dense network of furrows, ditches and pumping stations. The pronounced coastal climate, with strong sea winds and lower rainfall than inland, allows hardly any tree growth near the coast and favours salt marshes on the foreshore, dune and beach vegetation on the islands, and extensive wet and marshy grassland.
Ecologically, the region is of international importance. Large parts of the mudflats and foreshores belong to the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park and the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, complemented by numerous EU bird protection areas and FFH sites. The grassland of the marsh is a breeding and resting area for meadow birds and Arctic visiting birds. This protective backdrop is decisive for where impacts are permissible and how compensation must be designed to suit the natural region.
For the impact mitigation regulation under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG, the NAGBNatSchG applies in Lower Saxony as the main state. Compensation and replacement are accounted for through a nature-conservation biotope value procedure, and advance measures can be secured through an eco-account under § 16 BNatSchG. Compensation should take effect within the affected natural region and functionally, which in the marsh brings measures in grassland and the water system to the fore in particular. Bremen's share of the natural region (Bremen and Bremerhaven in the Weser estuary) is subject to that state's own law.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park and UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea
- International importance as a resting and wintering area for migratory birds (including the brent goose and barnacle goose)
- A high proportion of wet and marshy grassland as habitat for meadow-breeding birds
- A landscape of dykes, dwelling mounds (Warften), furrows and sluices
- Tide-dependent water levels and extensive drainage through pumping stations
- Salt marshes on the foreshore and dune landscapes on the East Frisian Islands
- A field of tension between coastal protection, agriculture and nature conservation
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature works nationwide and knows the responsible authorities in the Ems-Weser-Marsch natural region, from the lower nature conservation authorities of the coastal districts to the Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency (NLWKN) and the national park administration. We correctly apply Lower Saxony state law (NAGBNatSchG) and the biotope value procedure, and agree compensation and eco-account measures with the specialist authorities at an early stage.
Typical measures in natural region D25
Grassland extensification
Converting intensively used land into extensively used wet and marshy grassland, with late mowing dates and reduced fertiliser use, to benefit meadow-breeding birds.
Rewetting
Raising ditch and groundwater levels and creating shallow scrapes and hollows to develop wet depressions and water-bearing areas.
Ditch-margin and furrow development
Near-natural design and gentle maintenance of ditches, furrows and watercourse buffer strips for amphibians, fish and reed-bed species.
Small water bodies and shallow scrapes
Creating new sunlit, fish-free still waters as spawning habitats for amphibians in the grassland network of the marsh.
Arable extensification in the Hochland
Extensive management, skylark plots and flowering strips on the higher-lying marsh arable land, to enhance the open farmland.
Salt marsh and foreshore management
Managing grazing on the foreshore in front of the dyke to develop structurally rich salt marshes outside the core zones of the national park.
Protected species in the Ems-Weser-Marsch
Northern lapwing
A characteristic meadow-breeding bird of open wet and marshy grassland, dependent on high water levels and low-disturbance areas.
About this species ›Skylark
A breeding bird of the open marsh grassland and arable land in the Hochland, which benefits from extensive management and skylark plots.
About this species ›Bats
Species strictly protected under § 44 BNatSchG, which use dyke shrubland, buildings and watercourse fringes of the marsh as hunting grounds and roosts.
About this species ›Amphibians
Species such as the moor frog and common frog inhabit the ditch systems and small water bodies of the grassland and need connected spawning habitats.
About this species ›Kingfisher
Breeds on near-natural banks of the inland waters of the Ems and Weser, as well as on structurally rich ditch margins.
About this species ›Resting and visiting birds
Brent geese, barnacle geese, greater white-fronted geese and waders use the marsh grassland and the Wadden Sea mudflats as a resting area in internationally significant numbers.
Your route to eco-points in D25
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 D25
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