Mappings

Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS), our team conducts nationwide biotope mappings. In addition to abiotic factors (climate, soil, etc.), during our surveys, not only do we record flora and fauna but also special structural elements and legally protected habitats (such as small water bodies, dry stone walls, and sunken lanes as potential breeding or reproduction sites) as well as habitat types according to the Habitats Directive.

If there are justified indications within the scope of construction projects that European protected animal- and plant species are affected, a species protection assessment is required. This includes examining prohibitions according to § 44 of the BNatSchG for the annex species of the Habitats Directive as well as for European bird species. If areas of the “Natura 2000” network (Habitats Directive areas and EU bird protection areas) are also affected, the Habitats Directive or § 34 of the BNatSchG require an examination of the project’s compatibility with the defined conservation objectives for the respective area. Our services include relevance checks, specific species protection assessments (SaPs), Habitats Directive preliminary- and compatibility assessments.

Avoidance is mandatory according to § 15 BNatSchG and is the primary concern of intervention regulation. When the need arises, our team can propose suitable and feasible measures for avoidance and mitigation to minimize the intervention and associated functional and value losses to a minimum.

Generally, avoidance- and mitigation measures are preferable to compensation- and replacement measures. If further measures are required (for example, to prevent species protection prohibitions according to § 44 para. 1 BNatSchG or to justify species protection exceptions according to § 45 para. 7 BNatSchG), we can promptly carry out these measures. Specifically, these are CEF measures (“measures to ensure the continued ecological functionality“) and FCS measures (“measures to ensure a favourable conservation status“).

With our ecological construction- and environmental supervision, our team ensures that your project complies with existing nature-, species-, and environmental protection laws, thereby enabling reliable planning and a delay-free project process.

Long before construction begins, we develop suitable measures and concepts that we coordinate with the responsible approval authorities. These include the protection and conservation of birds, bats, amphibians, and reptiles in construction projects, the avoidance of prohibition criteria, for example, in road construction, demolition work, or building renovation, as well as the avoidance of environmental damage and violations in the areas of water-, soil-, and emissions control.

To avoid species protection prohibitions during interventions, pre-emptive compensation measures (CEF measures) are often used. Depending on suitability in individual cases, these must be checked for their effectiveness through monitoring and, if necessary, corrected or adjusted. The need for monitoring and associated requirements depends on the professional conflict assessment (for example, rarity of the species, sensitivity and restorability of habitats, significance of an occurrence) and can be coordinated directly with the relevant specialist authorities.

Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are used as a basis for decisions on the admissibility of projects. They encompass their (in-)direct effects on various protected assets such as humans, animals and plants, soil, water, air, climate, and landscapes, cultural and other material assets, as well as on interactions between the respective protected assets.

Our team prepares the environmental impact studies and reports required for conducting EIAs. These include intervention/compensation balance sheets for flora and fauna, the Eco-Account Regulation, and compensation requirements. The extent of the required compensation need is determined by comparing the “before and after” of the respective biotope types: the difference determines the compensation requirement of the “biotope” asset for flora and fauna.

(mapping of flight movements)

Spatial use analyses are particularly needed for the nature- and species conservation approval process of wind turbines (WT). The objective is a qualitative and quantitative determination of the residency rates of “WT-sensitive” bird- and bat species in the danger zone of the planned sites.

Our team offers spatial use analyses in accordance with the respective state-specific guidelines for implementing species protection in wind power planning. For planning-relevant raptors, we use visual space use analysis. Bats can be captured, tagged, and telemetered by us, allowing for the identification of roost trees (such as maternity colonies), for example.