Eco-points in natural region D37
Harz
Compensation and eco-points in the natural region D37 Harz, Germany's northernmost central upland range. The largest and highest part lies in Saxony-Anhalt, so assessment is mainly based on the state's assessment model and the eco-account under section 9 NatSchG LSA. greeNature is your nationwide full-service partner for legally sound compensation and replacement measures.
Natural region D37 at a glance
The natural region D37, Harz, is Germany's northernmost central upland range and covers around 2,226 km² between Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony and a small southern part in Thuringia. The wooded Oberharz and Westharz lie in Lower Saxony (the Goslar and Göttingen area), while the Hochharz with the Brocken (1,141 m above sea level (NHN), the highest peak in northern Germany) and the larger Mittelharz and Unterharz belong to Saxony-Anhalt.
Geologically, the Harz consists mainly of old marine deposits such as greywacke, clay slate and limestone, as well as igneous rocks, including the distinctive Brockengranit. Deeply incised, near-natural gorges such as the Bodetal, Okertal and Selketal, together with waterfalls, block fields and spring areas, structure the undulating upland.
Ecologically, the range extends from montane spruce woodland at higher elevations, through near-natural beech, ravine and block-field woodland, to superbly preserved raised and transitional bogs and near-natural upland streams. The cross-border Harz National Park protects large parts of the Hochharz. The recent bark beetle outbreak has made the conversion of once forestry-promoted spruce monocultures into climate-stable mixed montane woodland a central task across extensive areas.
For the nature-conservation impact mitigation regulation under sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG, the law of Saxony-Anhalt mainly applies, namely the Saxony-Anhalt assessment model with habitat values and the eco-account under section 9 NatSchG LSA. In the Lower Saxon Westharz and Oberharz, the NAGBNatSchG with the habitat value procedure applies, and in the Thuringian Südharz, the ThürNatG applies. greeNature assigns your project to the applicable state law and provides compensation as a full service.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- The Brocken (1,141 m), the highest peak in northern Germany, with subalpine summit flora
- Harz National Park, Germany's largest forest national park, spanning Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt
- Superbly preserved raised and transitional bogs at higher elevations (Bruchberg, Oderbrück)
- Near-natural upland streams, waterfalls and deeply incised gorges such as the Bodetal
- The Oberharzer Wasserwirtschaft (UNESCO World Heritage Site), with historic ponds and channels as valuable secondary habitats
- The Grünes Band along the former inner-German border, forming a habitat network across the Harz
- A stable population of the European wildcat and the reintroduction of the lynx
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with the responsible authorities and the state law of the Harz region. In the main Saxony-Anhalt area, we work with the Landesverwaltungsamt and the lower nature conservation authorities of the districts of Harz and Mansfeld-Südharz, in the Lower Saxon Westharz and Oberharz with the NLWKN, and in the Thuringian Südharz with the local nature conservation administration. In this way, we bring together the impact, the assessment model and suitable compensation areas in a legally sound manner.
Typical measures in natural region D37
Woodland conversion to mixed montane woodland
Conversion of spruce monocultures damaged by bark beetle into site-appropriate, climate-stable mixed beech and montane woodland. Near-natural stocking, the promotion of natural regeneration and long-term protection as high-value compensation at higher elevations in the Harz.
Bog restoration
Rewetting of drained raised and transitional bogs by blocking drainage channels and raising the water table. Regeneration of peat-forming vegetation, habitat for specialised species, and an effective contribution to water and climate protection.
Restoration of upland streams
Restoration of ecological connectivity on Harz watercourses, removal of transverse structures, and the creation of gravel bars and riparian woodland. Habitat enhancement for the fire salamander, bullhead, brown trout and kingfisher.
Montane meadows and montane hay meadows
Management and restoration of species-rich, extensively managed montane hay meadows (FFH habitat type 6520) through adapted mowing without fertilisation. Preservation of the traditional cultural landscape and valuable insect and plant communities.
Dead wood and process protection
Enrichment of standing and fallen dead wood, and the safeguarding of natural woodland development in block-field and ravine woodland. Habitat for woodpeckers, bats and deadwood-dependent beetles, with high potential for enhancement.
CEF and FCS species protection
Tailored measures based on the species protection assessment (saP), such as securing bat roosts in historic mine adits, wildcat corridors, amphibian waters and nest-site protection for the black stork, assessed under the applicable state law.
Protected species in the Harz
European wildcat
The Harz is home to a stable population of the strictly protected European wildcat. For impacts on structurally rich woodland, movement corridors, old and dead wood, and low-disturbance refuges must be considered in the species protection assessment and secured through CEF measures.
About this species ›Black stork
As a disturbance-sensitive breeding bird of near-natural woodland with streams, the black stork must regularly be assessed for projects in the Harz. Nest-protection zones, undisturbed foraging waters and the retention of old broadleaf woodland secure its breeding sites.
About this species ›Bats
Historic mine adits, caves and old broadleaf woodland provide important winter roosts and hunting habitats, for example for the mouse-eared bat, Bechstein's bat and Daubenton's bat. Roost protection and the enhancement of hunting grounds are typical CEF and FCS measures.
About this species ›Fire salamander and amphibians
Near-natural, cool spring streams in the Harz valleys are core habitat for the fire salamander, alongside the alpine newt and common frog. The retention of unmodified stream courses and the creation of spawning waters serve as advance compensation measures.
About this species ›Kingfisher
The kingfisher breeds in natural steep banks on the clear watercourses and reservoirs of the Harz. The restoration of bank sections, the provision of nesting aids and the safeguarding of fish-rich, low-disturbance waters are suitable compensation measures.
About this species ›Lynx and montane woodland species
Since reintroduction beginning in 2000, the lynx has once again been living in the Harz, alongside montane species such as Tengmalm's owl, the Eurasian pygmy owl and the ring ouzel. Large-scale woodland habitat networks and undisturbed old-growth islands support their favourable conservation status.
Your route to eco-points in D37
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 D37
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