Eco-points in natural region D72
Westliche Ostsee
For projects on the western Baltic Sea coast in Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, greeNature supports statutory nature conservation compensation. We secure eco-account value points (eco-points) under the Ökokonto-Verordnung of Schleswig-Holstein and the NatSchAG of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and handle coordination with the responsible authorities.
Natural region D72 at a glance
The major natural region D72 Westliche Ostsee comprises the shallow coastal waters of the western Baltic Sea between the Flensburger Förde and the Mecklenburger Bucht. It borders the coasts of Schleswig-Holstein, with the Kieler Bucht, Fehmarn and the Lübecker Bucht, as well as the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with the Wismarbucht and the Mecklenburger Bucht. Characteristic features are fjords, wide bays, steep coasts with cliffs, beach ridges and spits, shaped by post-glacial development and ongoing coastal dynamics.
The subsurface derives from ice-age ground moraines, and the water is brackish, with comparatively low salinity, due to the inflow from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Shallow-water areas, sandbanks, reefs and seagrass meadows form a tight mosaic of habitats. The western Baltic Sea is habitat for the harbour porpoise, grey seal and harbour seal, and at the same time an internationally important resting and overwintering area for sea ducks and divers. Correspondingly dense is the array of marine FFH and SPA sites of the European Natura 2000 network.
For impacts, the impact mitigation regulation under §§ 13 to 15 BNatSchG applies, together with special species protection under § 44 BNatSchG. In Schleswig-Holstein, compensation is handled through the Ökokonto-Verordnung under the LNatSchG, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania through the eco-account under the NatSchAG. For federal projects and measures in the marine area, the Bundeskompensationsverordnung (BKompV) applies, using the major natural regions. Because the actual water surface is barely suitable for terrestrial compensation measures, compensation mostly takes place in the coastal fringe and the hinterland, for example on salt grassland, in coastal flood areas and in coastal bogs.
greeNature develops and secures these measures as a full service. We assess the compensation requirement, select suitable land in the natural region and its surroundings, coordinate the assessment with the nature conservation authorities and document the implementation in a legally sound way through to approval.
📍 Districts covered
🌿 Ecological features
- Marine major natural region: compensation and replacement take place primarily on the adjoining coastal and hinterland areas in Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
- Two sets of state law meet here (Ökokonto-VO Schleswig-Holstein and NatSchAG Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), each with its own assessment procedure.
- For federal projects and projects in the marine area, the Bundeskompensationsverordnung (BKompV) applies, using the major natural regions.
- A dense Natura 2000 array of marine FFH and SPA sites leads to greater assessment depth, often with a Habitats Directive assessment (FFH-Verträglichkeitsprüfung).
- Special conservation responsibility for the harbour porpoise and grey seal as species listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive.
- Coastal dynamics, salt grassland and seagrass meadows form the nature conservation priorities of compensation.
- Species protection under § 44 BNatSchG must be considered early in the process for resting and breeding coastal birds.
✅ greeNature in this region
greeNature works nationwide and is familiar with the nature conservation law of the coastal states. On the western Baltic Sea, we coordinate compensation measures with the responsible lower nature conservation authorities (untere Naturschutzbehörden), as well as with the Landesamt für Umwelt (LfU) in Schleswig-Holstein and the Landesamt für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Geologie (LUNG) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and take account of the respective applicable assessment procedures.
Typical measures in natural region D72
Develop salt grassland
Restoration and extensive management of salt grassland and coastal flood areas as breeding and resting habitat for coastal birds.
Rewet coastal bogs
Rewetting of coastal fen bogs, which upgrades habitats and at the same time binds carbon in the soil.
Allow coastal dynamics
Removal of shoreline reinforcements on steep coasts and beach ridges to allow natural erosion and redeposition again.
Protect seagrass meadows
Protection and development of seagrass and shallow-water habitats as a nursery for fish and as a sediment stabiliser.
Reduce nutrient inputs
Extensification of agricultural land in the coastal catchment to reduce nutrient inputs into the Baltic Sea.
Upgrade coastal dunes
Development of beach ridges, grey and white dunes, and beach-adjacent habitats with site-appropriate vegetation.
Protected species in the Westliche Ostsee
Harbour porpoise
The only native whale of the Baltic Sea, strictly protected under Annex IV of the Habitats Directive, sensitive to noise and bycatch.
Grey seal
The largest native seal species, returning to the western Baltic Sea and using sandbanks and reefs as resting and hunting grounds.
Harbour seal
Uses shallow-water areas and haul-out sites along the coast, protected under the Habitats Directive and the Bundesnaturschutzgesetz.
Common eider
A sea duck that breeds and overwinters on the Baltic coast; the bays are important feeding and moulting grounds.
Black-throated diver
Rests and overwinters in large numbers in the shallow-water areas of the western Baltic Sea and is sensitive to disturbance.
Northern lapwing
Breeds on moist salt grassland and coastal pastures; benefits from rewetted and extensively used land.
About this species ›Your route to eco-points in D72
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 D72
Request eco-points in natural region D72
We will promptly prepare a transparent offer with matching eco-points held in stock in the Westliche Ostsee.