Protected areas

 FFH areas (opens in a new tab) (Fauna-Flora-Habitat areas) have a total area of approximately 2,346 hectares in Stuttgart and are distributed over three separate areas. The following species, among others, are significant for Stuttgart: stag beetle, lynx beetle, green broom moss, yellow-bellied toad, crested newt and dark meadow-headed blue butterfly.

The only bird sanctuary designated in Stuttgart under the EU Birds Directive is the bird sanctuary island at Lake Max Eyth.

 Overview map of (opens in a new tab) the nature conservation areas in Stuttgart.

The ordinances of the Stuttgart Regional Council on the respective nature conservation area and information on the conservation areas are available below

 General map of (opens in a new tab) the landscape protection areas in Stuttgart.

The respective ordinance of the Mayor's Office of the City of Stuttgart as the lower nature conservation authority or of the Regional Council of Stuttgart on the respective landscape conservation area can be called up below.

According to § 28 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act, areas with an area of up to 5 hectares (areal natural monuments) or individual creations of nature (natural formations) can be protected as natural monuments for reasons of science, natural history or regional history or because of their rarity, uniqueness or beauty.

In 2003, a total of  86 natural monuments (opens in a new tab) were designated in Stuttgart, including 53 individual formations. Most of them are trees, groups of trees or avenues. In addition, geological outcrops, springs and ponds, blades and a hollow way were registered as natural monuments.

 Overview map of (opens in a new tab) legally protected biotopes in Stuttgart.

Particularly valuable biotopes are protected in the open countryside according to § 30 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) and § 33 of the Baden-Württemberg Nature Conservation Act (NatSchG). In Stuttgart, there are currently about 600 biotopes with a total area of about 150 ha in this protection status, which is 0.7% of the total area.

In addition, numerous  forest biotopes (opens in a new tab)are protected under the State Forest Act (LWaldG). These are, for example, forest areas with rare plants or animals, blades or near-natural flowing waters.

The spectrum of protected biotope types in Stuttgart can be assessed as follows. A relatively good endowment of woody plants and dry stone walls contrasts with a lack of other biotope types. Wetlands, dry grassland and rough grassland biotopes are comparatively rare. Their worthiness of protection in Stuttgart is therefore incomparably higher than that of the woody biotopes.

In accordance with Section 29 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act and Section 31 of the Baden-Württemberg Nature Conservation Act, trees above a certain size are protected as protected landscape features under Stuttgart's tree protection statutes.

Trees enliven the townscape and landscape, improve the urban climate and serve as habitats for animals, especially birds. The  statute (opens in a new tab) applies in the built-up areas of the inner city districts and in parts of Bad Cannstatt for all trees with a trunk circumference of more than 80 centimetres, measured at a height of one meter.

Further information can be found under  Trees.