Eco-points in natural region D44
Mittelrheingebiet (mit Siebengebirge)
Eco-points and compensation in the natural region Mittelrheingebiet (BfN major natural region D44), the narrow gorge of the Rhine between Bingen and the Siebengebirge. greeNature develops legally sound compensation measures nationwide and supports projects under the Landeskompensationsverordnung (LKompVO) in Rhineland-Palatinate and in the neighbouring states.
Natural region D44 at a glance
The Mittelrheingebiet (BfN major natural region D44) comprises the narrow gorge of the Rhine through the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge between Bingen and the Bonn area with the Siebengebirge. Alongside the Rhine valley itself, the natural region also includes the Mittelrheinisches Becken around Koblenz and the lower reaches of the Mosel, Lahn and Ahr. Defining features are the steep shale slopes, which in places rise more than 300 metres above the river, together with rock bands, block-scree slopes, and the volcanically shaped Siebengebirge in the north. The natural region lies mainly in Rhineland-Palatinate, with a northern part in North Rhine-Westphalia and a small south-eastern corner in Hesse.
The Mittelrheintal is among the warmest and driest areas in Germany. On the sun-exposed south- and west-facing slopes, xerothermic habitats have developed, including vineyards, abandoned vineyards, dry-stone walls, semi-dry grassland and open rock outcrops. On the cooler north-facing slopes and in the side valleys, oak-hornbeam woodland and acidic oak woodland grow. This diversity makes the natural region a refuge for warmth-loving reptiles, birds and insects. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is largely protected through Natura 2000 sites.
For impacts on nature and landscape, the nature-conservation impact mitigation regulation under sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG applies. In the principal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, the compensation requirement is determined using the Landeskompensationsverordnung (LKompVO) and the associated practice guide; advance measures can be recorded as an eco-account and documented through the state-wide compensation register (KSP). The LKompVO assigns measures by natural region, so that a spatial and functional link to the affected natural region can be established. In the neighbouring parts of the states, North Rhine-Westphalian law (Eco-Account Ordinance, LNatSchG NRW) and Hessian compensation law apply.
Alongside the impact mitigation regulation, the special species protection under section 44 BNatSchG must be observed. For species of the rocky slopes and dry habitats, such as reptiles, bats or the eagle owl, advance compensation measures (CEF measures) may be required to secure the continuous maintenance of the ecological function and a favourable conservation status (FCS). Effective compensation in the Mittelrheingebiet builds on the defining features, namely the management of the dry slopes, the retention of abandoned vineyards and dry-stone walls, and the near-natural development of woodland and watercourse margins.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- The Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site as an important cultural landscape between Bingen and Koblenz
- One of the warmest and driest areas in Germany, with pronounced xerothermic hillside sites
- Terraced viticulture shapes the steep shale slopes and creates valuable secondary habitats
- Narrow gorge of the Rhine through the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, with rock bands and block scree
- The volcanically shaped Siebengebirge as the northern part of the natural region
- Outstanding occurrences of warmth-loving reptiles and insects, such as the western green lizard
- The confluence areas of the Mosel, Lahn and Ahr, with floodplain and riparian woodland
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature operates nationwide and is familiar with the administrative structures and state law in the Mittelrheingebiet. In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Struktur- und Genehmigungsdirektion Nord and the lower nature conservation authorities of the districts are decisive; the determination of the compensation requirement follows the LKompVO and the practice guide, and documentation runs through the compensation register (KSP). For the parts in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, we take the applicable state law into account and coordinate measures with the responsible authorities.
Typical measures in natural region D44
Dry-stone walls and abandoned vineyards
Repair and new construction of natural-stone dry walls, and keeping abandoned vineyard terraces open, as habitat for warmth-loving reptiles and insects.
Semi-dry grassland and nutrient-poor grassland
Scrub clearance of overgrown slopes and permanent management through extensive grazing with sheep and goats, to preserve species-rich dry sites.
Rock and block-scree habitats
Clearing of sunlit rock bands and scree slopes to secure breeding and basking sites for reptiles, the eagle owl and the peregrine falcon.
Floodplain and riparian woodland
Restoration of watercourse margins on the Rhine, Mosel, Lahn and Ahr through site-appropriate riparian woodland and the reconnection of oxbows and wetland areas.
Near-natural oak-hornbeam woodland
Woodland conversion towards site-appropriate broadleaf woodland, promoting old and dead wood as well as habitat trees for bats and the hazel dormouse.
Small water bodies and amphibian habitats
Creation of sunlit ponds and seasonally wet hollows in the side valleys as spawning waters for the yellow-bellied toad, newts and other amphibians.
Protected species in the Mittelrheingebiet (mit Siebengebirge)
Western green lizard
A characteristic species of the warm Rhine slopes, inhabiting sunlit abandoned vineyards, dry-stone walls and rock outcrops, and having one of its national strongholds here.
Eagle owl
Europe's largest owl breeds on inaccessible rock faces in the Mittelrheintal and depends on undisturbed steep slopes with prey habitats.
Bats
Several strictly protected species use adits, caves and old woodland as roosts, and the climatically favoured slopes as hunting grounds.
About this species ›Kingfisher
Inhabits near-natural banks and steep faces on the Rhine, Mosel, Lahn and Ahr, and benefits from restored watercourse margins.
About this species ›Yellow-bellied toad
A pioneer species of seasonally wet small water bodies in the side valleys, dependent on regularly newly formed, sparsely vegetated spawning waters.
About this species ›European wildcat
Uses the contiguous broadleaf woodland on the valley flanks and in the neighbouring uplands as habitat, with a high need for cover and quiet.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D44
Contact and enquiry
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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.
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