Eco-points in natural region D53
Oberrheinisches Tiefland und Rhein-Main-Tiefland
The Oberrheinisches Tiefland und Rhein-Main-Tiefland (BfN major natural region D53) runs along the right bank of the Rhine through Baden-Württemberg to the southern Hessian Ried. For compensation under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG, the main state, Baden-Württemberg, applies the Eco-Account Ordinance (ÖKVO), with assessment in eco-points. greeNature supports project developers nationwide and knows the responsible authorities and state law of this region.
Natural region D53 at a glance
The Oberrheinisches Tiefland is the German portion of the Upper Rhine Plain, which extends for around 300 kilometres between Basel and the Rhine-Main area. Natural region D53 runs, on the right bank of the Rhine, from the Markgräflerland and the Freiburger Bucht through the Ortenau and the Karlsruhe area to the Rhine plain near Mannheim and Heidelberg, and includes the southern Hessian Ried. The left-bank Vorderpfalz and the Rhein-Main-Tiefland belong, in the BfN classification, to the same major natural region D53.
Geologically, this is the Upper Rhine Graben, a tectonic subsidence zone that opened up more than 50 million years ago and has since been filled with thick sediments. Very different soils have developed on the gravels and sands of the Rhine floodplain, the older terraces and the drift-sand fields. Together with the sheltered location between the Schwarzwald and the Pfälzerwald, this makes the Oberrheinisches Tiefland the warmest and one of the driest regions in Germany.
Ecologically, the natural region is characterised by Rhine floodplains with soft-wood and hardwood floodplain forests, oxbows and periodically flooded areas, as well as gravel-pit lakes from gravel and sand extraction and inland dunes with sandy dry grassland. This variety of wet floodplains and dry, warm sandy sites is home to numerous species protected under national and European law. At the same time, the landscape is under high pressure from agriculture, settlement, transport and raw-material extraction, so that impacts regularly trigger compensation.
For the compensation of impacts, the main state, Baden-Württemberg, applies the statutory impact mitigation regulation under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG in conjunction with the Eco-Account Ordinance (ÖKVO), which assesses upgrades in eco-points and makes them tradeable via eco-accounts. In the Hessian part, the compensation ordinance of the state of Hesse applies. Species protection requirements under § 44 BNatSchG, such as advance compensation measures (CEF) to secure the favourable conservation status (FCS), as well as the requirements for FFH sites, must be closely coordinated with compensation planning.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- Warmest and sunniest region in Germany, within the sheltered Upper Rhine Graben
- Extensive Rhine floodplains with hardwood floodplain forests, oxbows and floodplain waters
- Inland dunes and sandy dry grassland as rare, warm, dry special habitats
- Numerous gravel-pit lakes from gravel and sand extraction, some with near-natural shore zones
- Large nature reserves such as the Taubergießen as remnants of the original wild-river landscape
- Dense network of FFH and bird sanctuary areas along the Rhine
- High land-use pressure from agriculture, settlement, transport and raw-material extraction
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature operates nationwide and, in the Oberrheinisches Tiefland, is familiar with both Baden-Württemberg's and Hesse's compensation law. We know the requirements of the lower nature conservation authorities in the districts of the Rhine plain, the system of the Eco-Account Ordinance with its assessment in eco-points, and the natural-region features of floodplains, sand dunes and gravel lakes. This allows compensation measures to be planned with legal certainty, coordinated with the responsible bodies and secured permanently.
Typical measures in natural region D53
Floodplain forest development
Development and restoration of site-appropriate hardwood and softwood floodplain forests along the Rhine, to upgrade typical floodplain-forest habitats and make them creditable in eco-points.
Floodplain waters and oxbows
Reconnecting former Rhine arms, rewetting floodplain areas and creating flood channels to promote floodplain dynamics and wet habitats.
Sandy grassland and inland dunes
Management and restoration of sandy dry grassland and open dune sites through scrub clearance and adapted use, as habitat for heat-loving species.
Amphibian spawning waters
Creation of sunlit, fish-free spawning waters, also as an advance compensation measure (CEF) under § 44 BNatSchG for natterjack toad, yellow-bellied toad and great crested newt.
Grassland extensification
Converting arable land into extensively managed wet and floodplain grassland in the Ried, with an adapted mowing regime for the benefit of meadow-breeding birds and insect fauna.
Structurally rich agricultural landscape
Creating field margins, skylark plots, hedgerows and field-margin strips to upgrade the cleared farmland of the Rhine plain.
Protected species in the Oberrheinisches Tiefland und Rhein-Main-Tiefland
Sand lizard
Inhabits sandy dry grassland, dunes, railway embankments and sunlit field margins. Strictly protected under § 44 BNatSchG, frequently prompting CEF measures such as habitat structures made of sand and dead wood.
About this species ›Bats
Old-growth-rich floodplain forests and waters of the Rhine plain are important foraging and roosting habitats, for example for Bechstein's bat and Daubenton's bat. Roost preservation and replacement roosts are key issues.
About this species ›Floodplain amphibians
Natterjack toad, yellow-bellied toad and European tree frog are tied to temporary waters, gravel-extraction sites and floodplain waters, and benefit from newly created spawning waters.
About this species ›Great crested newt
The great crested newt, listed in Annexes II and IV of the FFH Directive, inhabits structurally rich, fish-free standing waters in the floodplains and depends on connected spawning waters.
About this species ›Kingfisher
At former Rhine arms, near-natural banks and gravel-pit lakes, the kingfisher finds steep banks and fish-rich waters. It benefits from bank restoration and eroding edges.
About this species ›Northern lapwing
This meadow-breeding bird uses wet, open grassland in the Ried and the Rhine lowlands and depends on extensively managed, rewetted land.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D53
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Offer and advice
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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
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