Compensatory measures

Compensatory measures in forests for the conservation of biological diversity

Background

With the impact regulation under the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), there is an instrument available in nature conservation that should offset or restore damage to nature and landscapes caused by human interventions. Where interventions occur in forests, a forest compensatory measure and one for nature conservation is determined following a weighing up of the public interest. Whereas the compensatory measure for forests is regulated according to state law, the nature conservation measure has, since the amendment of the BNatSchG, been administered under Federal law. Through the amendment, the impact regulation has become in part more flexible and allows for, among others, the stockpiling of compensation areas and measures in so-called ‘Pools’. Measures can also be integrated in agricultural and forest production. However, many measures have, from a nature conservation perspective, not yet been satisfactorily implemented. That is, temporal, geographical or functional aspects are given insufficient consideration. The spectrum of possible measures should therefore be tested for expansion. Moreover, along with consideration of the functional relationship, a prioritisation of measures with regard to their conservation effectiveness should be carried out. In general, compensatory measures that lead to a real and long-term revaluation of ecosystems and that can consequently be distinguished from already existing obligations shall be recognised. In addition, measures should be able to be meaningfully integrated in overall concepts of nature conservation such as spatial connectivity measures.

Objectives

In the F&E project, a knowledge base will be established for the future enhancement and implementation of effective compensatory measures in forests to protect biodiversity. Central objectives are the presentation of potential compensatory measures in forests and the comprehensive analysis of their effectiveness with regards to the preservation and promotion of biodiversity. In the project, the following questions will be analysed in detail:

• Which measures and combinations of measures are, from a nature conservation perspective, suitable for application as compensatory measures in and bordering forest areas, but also in the context of forest establishment?
• How can such compensatory measures be evaluated with regard to their conservation effectiveness for the preservation and the development of biological diversity in forests as well as concerning their contribution to overall concepts of nature conservation such as spatial connectivity measures?
• Which characteristics and indicators are suitable for assessing the performance of the various types of measures and how can a meaningful interaction between species-specific, abiotic and functional characteristics be established?
• How can the functional and geographical interrelations be established between typical consequences of intervention and those measures identified as being expedient? Which compensatory equivalents are provided for? And, how can possible compensatory measures be defined in relation to “good professional practice” in forestry and compared with the forestry compensation? 

The project builds on preliminary work undertaken by the Chair for Landscape Management and the project partners. The main focus is on the comprehensive analysis of national and international specialist literature as well as practice-relevant publications such as acts or reports from administrations and those implementing the measures. Compensatory measures that are already envisaged or applied will be described and categorised. In addition, further, alternative measures will be identified and analysed with regard to their effectiveness in protecting and promoting biodiversity. Specific measures will also be investigated using a systematic review. The results of the literature review will be discussed and supplemented within the scope of two expert workshops. The synthesis will include a register of compensatory measures in forests that are meaningful from a nature conservation perspective. This register will evaluate the effectiveness of the measures according to spatial and landscape interrelations. It will also make functional interactions transparent, identify suitable assessment criteria and propose a classification according to consequences of intervention.

2013 – 2015

Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) with funding of the Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (BMU)

Dr. Mirjam Milad, Steffen Entenmann

Dr. Harald Schaich, Prof. Werner Konold

Ass. Jur. Jochen Schumacher (Institut für Naturschutz und Naturschutzrecht GbR), Prof. Klaus Werk (Hochschule Geisenheim University)