Eco-points in natural region D56
Mainfränkische Platten
Eco-points in natural region D56 arise where calcareous grassland, traditional orchards and structurally rich agricultural landscapes of the Mainfränkische Platten are ecologically upgraded. greeNature develops and manages compensation land true to the natural region, from conception through to permanent management.
Natural region D56 at a glance
The Mainfränkische Platten form the largest group of major natural regions in Lower Franconia and, at the same time, one of the warmest and driest landscapes in Bavaria. In the rain shadow of the Spessart and Rhön, only around 550 to 600 mm of rainfall falls per year, and the mean annual temperature lies between 8.5 and 9.5°C. A characteristic feature is a largely open, sparsely wooded Gäu landscape with gently undulating to hilly relief and only a few deeply incised valleys.
Geologically, Muschelkalk sedimentary rocks, mostly hard limestones and dolomites, dominate the subsoil. In the eastern half, Lettenkeuper is widespread at the surface, while in the western valleys the Bunter sandstone is exposed. Wide areas are covered by ice-age loess, from which fertile loamy soils (Parabraunerde) have developed, while shallow rendzina soils predominate on the more relief-rich Muschelkalk slopes.
The fertile loess soils of the Ochsenfurter Gau and the Gäu plateaus in the Maindreieck carry one of the most intensive arable landscapes in Franconia. On the south- and south-west-facing valley slopes of the Main and its tributaries, viticulture is of great importance. Ecologically especially valuable are the Muschelkalk dry grassland of the valley slopes and the old oak-hornbeam coppice-with-standards woodlands such as the Guttenberger and Irtenberger Wald, which are among the woodlands richest in bats in Lower Franconia.
Due to intensive use, the open farmland is in many places structurally poor. This opens up scope for compensation: calcareous grassland can be restored through grazing and scrub clearance, traditional orchards and hedgerows connect habitats, and field margins secure farmland birds and the common hamster. Under the BayKompV, compensation should, where possible, take effect within the affected natural region, which makes site selection true to the natural region especially important in area D56.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- One of the warmest and driest natural regions in Bavaria, in the rain shadow of the Spessart and Rhön, with only 550 to 600 mm of annual rainfall.
- Fertile loess soils in the Ochsenfurter Gau and the Gäuplatten in the Maindreieck, one of the most intensive arable landscapes in Franconia.
- Statewide significant Muschelkalk dry grassland on the south- and south-west-facing valley slopes.
- Traditional viticulture on the steep slopes of the Main and its tributaries.
- Old oak-hornbeam coppice-with-standards woodlands such as the Guttenberger and Irtenberger Wald, with the highest bat densities in Lower Franconia.
- The last significant common hamster populations in Bavaria, on the deep loess soils.
- A largely open, sparsely wooded Gäu landscape with only a few deeply incised valleys.
✅ greeNature in this region
As a partner for compensation in Lower Franconia, greeNature develops eco-account and compensation land that fits the character of the Mainfränkische Platten natural region. We secure suitable land, plan the upgrade under the BayKompV, handle implementation and permanent management, and document the measures for recognition by the nature conservation authorities. Because the BayKompV requires compensation to be assigned to the natural region, we ensure that compensation takes effect within the affected natural region wherever possible, for example through calcareous grassland, traditional orchards or the upgrading of farmland and floodplains. Where species protection requirements exist under § 44 BNatSchG, we also design advance CEF measures that continuously secure the ecological function for the affected species.
Typical measures in natural region D56
Developing and managing calcareous grassland
Restoration and permanent maintenance of open Muschelkalk dry grassland on the valley slopes through extensive grazing with sheep and goats and through scrub clearance. These heat-loving habitats are among the most species-rich in the natural region.
Field margins and flowering areas
Creating extensive field margins, perennial flowering areas and skylark plots in the cleared farmland. Such structures support farmland birds, insects and the remaining populations of the common hamster on the loess soils.
Creating and preserving traditional orchards
Creating new and replanting standard-trunk traditional orchards with extensive grassland use. Traditional orchards are a traditional element of the Main Franconian cultural landscape and valuable habitats for cavity-nesting birds, insects and bats.
Promoting oak-hornbeam woodland and coppice-with-standards
Resuming or continuing coppice-with-standards management and preserving old, open oak-hornbeam woodland. This form of management secures structurally rich, sunlit stands and the high bat densities of the Lower Franconian woodlands.
Restoring watercourses and floodplains
Removing bank reinforcement, creating riparian buffer strips and developing floodplain forest on Main tributaries such as the Wern, Lauer and Tauber. Near-natural watercourses and wet hollows connect habitats and improve water retention.
Dry-stone walls and cleared-stone ridges
Preserving and creating dry-stone walls, cleared-stone ridges and sunlit field margins at vineyard edges and embankments. They offer heat-loving species such as the sand lizard and numerous insects important refuges.
Protected species in the Mainfränkische Platten
Skylark
A characteristic species of the open Gäu and arable landscape. It nests on the ground and suffers from dense, uniform crop stands. Field margins and skylark plots improve its breeding success.
About this species ›Common hamster
The common hamster inhabits the deep loess soils in the Ochsenfurter Gau and the Gäuplatten. The Mainfränkische Platten are among the last significant populations in Bavaria.
Sand lizard
It inhabits dry grassland, vineyard edges, dry-stone walls and embankments. For this heat-loving species, sunlit field margins and stone ridges are crucial as habitat and breeding ground.
About this species ›Bats (including Bechstein's bat)
The old oak-hornbeam coppice-with-standards woodlands such as the Guttenberger and Irtenberger Wald carry the highest bat densities in Lower Franconia, including Bechstein's bat and the greater mouse-eared bat.
About this species ›Northern lapwing
The northern lapwing breeds in wet hollows and meadows, for example in the Grabfeld. Rewetted hollows and extensively managed grassland secure its habitat in the agricultural landscape.
About this species ›Great crested newt
The great crested newt requires fish-free small water bodies with rich bankside vegetation. Newly created pools around woodland and farmland promote its populations.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D56
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 D56
Request eco-points in natural region D56
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the Mainfränkische Platten.