Eco-points in natural region D51
Pfälzer Wald (Haardtgebirge)
greeNature develops and provides compensation areas and eco-points in the natural region Pfälzerwald. As a nationwide partner, we support the impact mitigation regulation in Rhineland-Palatinate, from assessment under the LKompVO to long-term implementation and securing.
Natural region D51 at a glance
The Pfälzerwald forms the north-western frame of the Oberrheingraben and is regarded as the largest contiguous woodland area in Germany. Geologically, it is built up from thick layers of Lower, Middle and Upper Buntsandstein, which produce deeply incised valleys, striking rock formations, and nutrient-poor, acidic sandy soils. Over wide areas, woodland dominates the landscape, historically mixed oak-beech woodland, which has been replaced by pine stands in many places.
Thanks to the closed woodland cover, the proximity to the climatically favoured Rhine plain at the edge of the Haardt, and the near-natural, cool streams, a flora and fauna of national importance has developed. The Pfälzerwald is the core area of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Pfälzerwald-Nordvogesen), the only cross-border biosphere reserve in Germany, and is home to extensive FFH and Special Protection Areas. Species such as the European wildcat, black stork and several bat species find large-scale, low-disturbance habitats here.
For impacts on nature and landscape, the nature-conservation impact mitigation regulation under sections 13 to 15 BNatSchG applies in Rhineland-Palatinate, in conjunction with the state nature conservation act. The scope and assessment of compensation measures follow the Landeskompensationsverordnung (LKompVO), which specifies a habitat value procedure. Measures can be implemented in advance and stockpiled through the eco-account, while maintaining the spatial and functional link to the affected natural region.
Alongside the impact mitigation regulation, the special species protection under section 44 BNatSchG must be observed. For many planning-relevant species of the Pfälzerwald, such as bats and the hazel dormouse, advance compensation measures (CEF) may be required to permanently secure the ecological function of their habitats.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- Germany's largest contiguous forest area, with predominantly closed forest cover
- Core area of the Pfälzerwald-Nordvogesen UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Germany's only cross-border biosphere reserve
- A low mountain range landscape shaped by thick Bunter sandstone, with nutrient-poor, acidic soils
- Extensive FFH and bird sanctuary areas with a secure population of the European wildcat
- Near-natural, cool, clear streams in deeply incised valleys as habitat for the fire salamander
- A narrow transition to the climatically favoured Rhine plain along the Haardt escarpment, with high species diversity
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature works nationwide and knows the requirements of the Rhineland-Palatinate nature conservation authorities. We coordinate measures with the lower nature conservation authorities and the responsible Struktur- und Genehmigungsdirektion, and assess compensation under the Landeskompensationsverordnung (LKompVO), so that eco-points are recognised in the correct natural region.
Typical measures in natural region D51
Forest conversion to mixed broadleaf woodland
Converting unnatural pine stands into site-appropriate oak-beech mixed woodland increases ecological value and creates value units that can be credited.
Develop old and dead wood
Designating habitat trees and deadwood islands supports bats, black stork and wood-dwelling species, permanently strengthening habitat quality.
Restore stream valleys
Restoring near-natural watercourses and floodplain structures improves connectivity and creates habitat for fire salamander and amphibians.
Restore forest meadows
Managing and creating new forest meadows and open-land field margins increases structural diversity and benefits reptiles, insects and their food chains.
Create small water bodies
Creating sunlit spawning waters supports amphibians such as the yellow-bellied toad and great crested newt, and can serve as an advance CEF measure.
CEF for bats and hazel dormouse
Advance roost and habitat-connectivity measures secure, under § 44 BNatSchG, the function of the breeding sites and resting places of species relevant to planning.
Protected species in the Pfälzer Wald (Haardtgebirge)
European wildcat
The large, low-disturbance forests of the Pfälzerwald support a secure population of the strictly protected European wildcat, which depends on connected woodland habitats.
About this species ›Bats
Bechstein's bat and barbastelle use old broadleaf woodland and cavity trees as roosts. Losses of roost trees frequently require advance CEF measures.
About this species ›Hazel dormouse
The strictly protected hazel dormouse inhabits shrub-rich woodland edges and dense undergrowth. For impacts, connectivity and replacement habitats must be secured at an early stage.
About this species ›Black stork
The shy black stork breeds in quiet, old-growth-rich woodland stands and forages along clear streams. The nest surroundings and foraging waters require particular protection.
About this species ›Sand lizard
Sunny sandstone areas, woodland margins and former quarries provide habitat for the sand lizard, which often requires its own compensation areas in the event of impacts.
About this species ›Fire salamander and amphibians
Cool, clear spring-fed streams characterise the Pfälzerwald and are habitat for the fire salamander as well as the yellow-bellied toad and other amphibians.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D51
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 D51
Request eco-points in natural region D51
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the Pfälzer Wald (Haardtgebirge).