Eco-points in natural region D28
Lüneburger Heide
Compensation and eco-points in natural region D28 Lüneburger Heide und Wendland, assessed under the Lower Saxony biotope value procedure pursuant to the NAGBNatSchG. greeNature plans and manages compensation sites true to the natural region in north-eastern Lower Saxony, while working nationwide.
Natural region D28 at a glance
Natural region D28, the Lüneburger Heide und Wendland, lies entirely in north-eastern Lower Saxony, between the Untere Elbeniederung in the north, the Stader Geest in the west, and the Weser-Aller-Flachland in the south-west. The broad, gently undulating geest areas with extensive heathland are a defining feature, interspersed with pine and broadleaf woodland, river valleys, and, in the east, the lowlands of the Wendland on the middle Elbe.
Geologically, the natural region is a legacy of the Ice Ages. Terminal moraines and outwash plains from the Saale glaciation form the ridges, the best known of which is the Wilseder Berg, at around 169 metres the highest elevation in the broad North German lowlands. The nutrient-poor, strongly podzolised sandy soils were barely suitable for arable farming. It was only centuries of grazing and turf-stripping (plaggen) use that gave rise to the characteristic Calluna heath on them, a cultural landscape that would become overgrown with scrub again without management.
Ecologically, the natural region links very different habitats. Heat-loving species such as the sand lizard, smooth snake and woodlark live on the dry sandy heaths, and the moor frog and common European adder in the geest mires and wet heaths. The heathland rivers Ilmenau, Luhe, Örtze and Böhme carry clear, sand-shaped water. In the Wendland, the Niedersächsische Elbtalaue Biosphere Reserve protects extensive floodplains, home to the Eurasian otter, beaver and white-tailed eagle. The Lüneburger Heide Nature Reserve around the Wilseder Berg is among the oldest protected areas in Germany.
For impacts in this natural region, the impact mitigation regulation under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG applies. Lower Saxony has not issued its own eco-account or compensation ordinance and excludes the application of the Federal Compensation Ordinance under § 6 NAGBNatSchG. Instead, the extent and value of compensation and replacement measures are determined through the biotope value procedure on the basis of the working guides of the state nature conservation administration (NLWKN). Species protection matters under § 44 BNatSchG, such as advance CEF measures, must be examined separately and implemented true to the natural region.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- The Lüneburger Heide Nature Reserve, designated in 1921 around the Wilseder Berg and one of the oldest protected areas in Germany
- The Wilseder Berg, at around 169 metres the highest elevation for miles around in the North German lowlands
- One of the largest contiguous heathland landscapes in Central Europe, preserved through traditional grazing with Heidschnucke sheep
- The Niedersächsische Elbtalaue Biosphere Reserve in the Wendland, habitat for the Eurasian otter, beaver and white-tailed eagle
- Nutrient-poor, podzolised sandy soils on moraines and outwash plains from the Saale glaciation
- Near-natural heathland rivers such as the Ilmenau, Luhe, Örtze and Böhme, with sand-shaped stream sections
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature works nationwide and knows the nature conservation requirements in Lower Saxony in detail. We implement the impact mitigation regulation under the biotope value procedure of the NAGBNatSchG, coordinate with the lower nature conservation authorities and the NLWKN, and properly secure compensation sites in the compensation register. For projects in natural region D28, we are your point of contact from the search for sites to permanent management.
Typical measures in natural region D28
Heathland management and regeneration
Scrub clearance, turf stripping (plaggen), Schoppern (surface scarification) and grazing with Heidschnucke sheep preserve and rejuvenate the Calluna heath on the geest areas and secure open, nutrient-poor sites.
Restoring mires and wet heathland
Rewetting drained geest mires and wet heathland, closing ditches and reducing nutrient loads, as a measure with a climate benefit and relevance for species protection.
Forest conversion on geest sites
Converting structurally poor pine plantations into near-natural oak-birch and mixed broadleaf woodland, site-appropriate, climate-resilient and secured long-term.
Grassland extensification in the river valleys
Converting intensively used land in the floodplains of the Ilmenau, Luhe and Örtze into species-rich wet and marshy meadows for meadow birds and insects.
Species protection: CEF and FCS
Creating sand patches, dry habitats and stone-pile structures for the sand lizard and smooth snake, as well as habitat enhancements for the woodlark and European nightjar, aligned with § 44 BNatSchG.
Watercourse restoration
Restoring sand-shaped heathland streams through bed raising, deadwood placement and floodplain forest development, benefiting the Eurasian otter, kingfisher, brook lamprey and dragonflies.
Protected species in the Lüneburger Heide
Heathland birds of the open geest
The black grouse, European nightjar and woodlark depend on extensive, largely tree-free heathland. For projects in their vicinity, habitat preservation and CEF measures such as heathland management and keeping the land open are typical building blocks.
Sand lizard and smooth snake
The warm, dry sandy heaths and path embankments are a refuge for heat-loving reptiles. Creating sand patches, deadwood and stone structures as guide habitats is among the most common species protection measures.
About this species ›Bats
Old broadleaf woodland, traditional orchards and structurally rich woodland edges serve species such as the noctule bat, Serotine bat and brown long-eared bat as roosts and hunting grounds. Roost and habitat measures are possible.
About this species ›Black stork in woodland and the Elbe valley floodplain
Low-disturbance old-growth stands and wet woodland streams offer the black stork breeding and foraging habitats. Enhancing woodland edges and restoring watercourses strengthen the population in the natural region.
About this species ›Amphibians of the geest mires
The moor frog, European tree frog and great crested newt inhabit wet heathland, small water bodies and mire-edge zones. Creating and connecting spawning waters are effective compensation measures.
About this species ›Kingfisher and Eurasian otter on the heathland rivers
The Ilmenau, Luhe, Örtze and the tributary waters of the Elbe are home to the kingfisher, Eurasian otter and beaver. Near-natural banks, steep faces and connected waters are the goal of corresponding restoration measures.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D28
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 D28
Request eco-points in natural region D28
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the Lüneburger Heide.