On Land with Lapwings and Toads
What is taken from the environment, we give back to it with so-called compensation areas.
When we build port facilities, we intervene in the natural landscape. What is taken from the environment, we give back to it with so-called compensation areas. This creates important ecosystems and valuable habitats for animals and plants in our region.
In recent years, the seaport of Cuxhaven has become the leading port for the handling of cargo. Of the approximately 3,500 hectares of land that NPorts owns, around a quarter is dedicated to nature conservation. Newly created wetlands provide numerous breeding grounds for endangered bird species, such as the lapwing and garganey. We renature riparian strips with almost forgotten meadow flowers like the marsh marigold. With our care, coniferous forests become species-rich deciduous forests again and we put up species protection fences to bring the common toad and grass frog safely across the road. The compensatory measures NPorts takes for the port buildings in the northwest ports are diverse and aim to restore living ecosystems. Our nature conservation areas are mainly located around the construction-intensive seaports of Brake, Cuxhaven, Emden, Stade and Wilhelmshaven.
Habitat for Rare Breeding Birds
On the Hemmor compensation area near Cuxhaven a diverse wetland has been created - as large as 42 football pitches. Over 50 bird species have resettled here, 32 bird species are now breeding here. Amphibians, dragonflies and other insects have also found their habitat on the site. Nature is so pleasantly diverse here that NPorts has built an observation tower from which the numerous birds can be explored.
The positive influence of the renaturation of riparian strips on the settlement of meadow breeders can be seen on the Emder Riepe, which is one of the compensation areas of the Emden seaport. NPorts has acquired and renaturalised the riparian strips. Today we enjoy a rich vegetation with rare plants such as marsh marigold, yellow iris and a wide distribution of land reeds. This forms an ideal habitat in which many meadow birds feel comfortable again and build their nests.
Idyllic Forest and Moorland Landscapes
Our compensation measures in Wilhelmshaven are primarily aimed at the renaturation of forest areas. In the Wittmund forest area, for example, the former forest moors are being renaturalised over an area of 200 hectares. In this way, we are ensuring that the original flora and fauna, which can only be found in relics, can once again settle over a large area. Where coniferous forests now grow on former moorland soils, near-natural deciduous forests will develop again in the future. In the municipality of Jade, the largest contiguous forest area of the Wesermarsch is growing up in the middle of pasture and arable land. On a total area of 120 hectares, NPorts in Südbollenhagen has reforested the areas around a 150-year-old mixed oak forest. Today, an idyllic forest area of oaks, birches and willow bushes with brushwood swamps and lakes invites to new life.