Eco-points in natural region D38
Bergisches Land, Sauerland (Süderbergland)
The natural region D38 comprises the Bergisches Land and the Sauerland as part of the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, mainly in North Rhine-Westphalia and, with the Upland, also in Hesse. greeNature develops compensation areas and eco-points here under the Eco-Account Ordinance NRW and supports impact projects from assessment through to long-term protection.
Natural region D38 at a glance
The Bergisches Land und Sauerland forms the major natural region D38 of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and is also known as the Süderbergland or the Bergisch-Sauerländisches Gebirge. The natural region covers around 9,080 square kilometres and lies for the most part in North Rhine-Westphalia. To the east, it extends into Hesse with the Upland and the north-western Hessisches Hinterland. It corresponds roughly to the historic landscapes of Sauerland, Bergisches Land, Siegerland and Wittgenstein.
Geologically, the region belongs to the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge and is composed of Devonian shales, greywackes and sandstones. It is characterised by wooded ridges, deeply incised gorges and a rugged relief. The highest peaks lie in the Rothaargebirge, including the Langenberg at around 843 metres and the Kahler Asten at around 842 metres. Rivers such as the Ruhr, Lenne, Volme, Wupper, Sieg and Eder shape the water network, which is supplemented by numerous large reservoirs.
Ecologically, the natural region is characterised by near-natural beech and oak woodland, montane meadows, mat-grass swards and upland heaths, as well as structurally rich watercourses with floodplains. Large conifer plantations have suffered considerable damage from drought and bark beetle infestation in recent years, leaving extensive areas available for near-natural woodland conversion. Limestone areas with caves and old mine adits provide important winter roosts for bats.
For the impact mitigation regulation under sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG, the Landesnaturschutzgesetz NRW applies in North Rhine-Westphalia in conjunction with the Eco-Account Ordinance NRW. The assessment of impact and compensation is carried out using a numerical habitat value procedure, the results of which are expressed in eco-points. In the Hessian part of the natural region, the local compensation ordinance is decisive. greeNature is familiar with both systems and develops measures that meet the species-protection requirements of section 44 BNatSchG and, where necessary, maintain conservation status through CEF measures.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- The highest peaks in North Rhine-Westphalia are in the Rothaargebirge (Langenberg around 843 m, Kahler Asten around 842 m)
- Numerous large reservoirs such as the Biggesee, Sorpesee, Möhnesee and Versetalsperre shape water management and the landscape
- Extensive near-natural beech woodland, along with montane meadows, mat-grass swards and upland heaths of high conservation value
- Extensive areas of former spruce plantations, following drought and bark beetle damage, offer great potential for near-natural woodland conversion
- Karst areas with caves and old mine adits serve as important bat roosts
- Traditional coppice and Hauberg woodland management in the Siegerland as a culturally and historically shaped habitat
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature works nationwide and is familiar with the nature conservation authorities and state law in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. In the natural region D38, we assess impacts under the Eco-Account Ordinance NRW and the LNatSchG NRW, coordinate measures with the lower nature conservation authorities, and secure land permanently through eco-accounts. For the Hessian part, we take into account the compensation ordinance applicable there.
Typical measures in natural region D38
Near-natural woodland conversion
Conversion of damaged spruce plantations into site-appropriate mixed beech and oak woodland. On the large storm and beetle-damage areas of the Sauerland, this creates climate-stable, species-rich broadleaf woodland of high ecological value.
Watercourse and floodplain restoration
Removal of channel modifications, reconnection of floodplains and the promotion of connectivity on the Lenne, Volme, Sieg and their tributaries. This improves the structure and habitat quality of the upland streams.
Extensification of montane meadows
Restoration and extensive management of montane meadows and mat-grass swards in the Rothaargebirge through adapted mowing and grazing without fertilisation.
Restoration of heaths and bogs
Rewetting of fens and management of upland heaths, for example around the Kahler Asten, to safeguard rare communities dependent on nutrient-poor sites.
Securing bat roosts
Retention and enhancement of winter roosts in caves and old mine adits, together with the development of hunting habitats and roost trees for the abundant bat populations in the natural region.
Creation of amphibian waters
Creation and connection of new small water bodies and wetland habitats as spawning habitats. Such waters are also suitable as CEF measures within the framework of species protection under section 44 BNatSchG.
Protected species in the Bergisches Land, Sauerland (Süderbergland)
Black stork
The black stork breeds in the extensive, low-disturbance broadleaf woodland of the Sauerland and the Rothaargebirge and depends on near-natural woodland streams as foraging habitat.
About this species ›European wildcat
The European wildcat is spreading again across the Rothaargebirge and the large woodland areas and benefits from structurally rich, unfragmented broadleaf woodland.
About this species ›Bats
Caves and old mine adits in the Sauerland are among the most important bat roosts in the region and are home to, among others, greater mouse-eared bats and Bechstein's bats.
About this species ›Kingfisher
On the clear watercourses of the Lenne, Volme and Sieg, the kingfisher finds steep banks for breeding and fish-rich stretches for foraging.
About this species ›Fire salamander
The fire salamander is a characteristic inhabitant of the cool, spring-fed woodland streams in the Bergisches Land and Sauerland and is sensitive to water pollution.
About this species ›Hazel dormouse
The hazel dormouse inhabits structurally rich broadleaf and mixed woodland with a dense shrub layer, as well as woodland edges and hedgerows, and depends on well-connected woody habitats.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D38
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 D38
Request eco-points in natural region D38
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the Bergisches Land, Sauerland (Süderbergland).