Nature Conservation

Nature conservation is a public task and a state objective enshrined in the German constitution.

Although Stuttgart is heavily influenced by industry and traffic and is densely populated in many areas, seven percent of the city's area is still under nature protection, and even almost a third of the area is under landscape protection. In total, the area accounts for around 1,370 hectares.

But quantity alone is not enough. In addition to the size of the area, the quality of these areas is crucial. And here, unfortunately, there are not only positive developments. Many areas in landscape conservation areas are farmed too intensively. Today, many areas are frequently mowed with a lawn mower instead of only twice a year as in the past. Partly illegal constructions are also a growing problem in these areas.

Stuttgart's future biodiversity depends to a large extent on the extent to which the city's recently drawn up  biodiversity concept can be implemented. To what extent it will be possible to keep incompatible recreational uses away from the few remai biodiversity concept can be implemented. To what extent it will be possible to keep incompatible recreational uses away from the few remaining hotspots of biodiversity and to what extent each individual is prepared to contribute to this through his or her behavior.

Important in nature conservation are area protection and  species protection. The two are interrelated. For example, species can usually only be protected by preserving their habitats. In addition, many species are protected. This means that they may not be captured, killed or taken from the wild.

In the case of construction projects, specific early compensatory measures must usually be implemented for species protected under European law in consultation with the nature conservation authorities.

In addition, there is also the so-called impact regulation in the planned external area, areas outside of development plans. If legally permissible projects here have a significant impact on the natural balance, these must be compensated.