Biodiversity

Conservation and diversity

A vast biodiversity of animals and plants ist especially important for a thriving environment. To safeguard and improve biodiversity VERBUND invests in environmental protection and in ecological measures. Expenditure of around 280 million euros is anticipated until 2027 for land restoration measures and the creation of river continuity projects.

Restoring the continuity of major rivers is one of the key objectives of the European Water Framework Directive. We fulfil this, wherever possible, through new, near-natural accompanying waterbodies. Not only fish, but also all organisms in and around the habitat of water benefit from fish bypasses and from the many bypass arms. These species can overcome barrages and continue their migration through fish bypasses. We are developing additional habitats along our watercourses and creating places of retreat for rare plant and animal species like amphibians, insects and birds. Restructuring measures and morphological alterations include for example the establishment of shallow water zones and additional side channels. Thus, we pay attention to linking new measures with existing projects, in order to generate synergies.

Experts regularly carry out ornithological monitoring at our wind parks in order to investigate the effects on the habitat and the breeding behaviour of various bird species. We implement measures and create biotopes for animal protection along transmission lines.

Successful species protection projects include the promotion of bird species such as the great bustard, saker falcon, hoopoe or Ural owl. Biotope protection projects focus on transmission routes in forests which are popular retreats, breeding sites or feeding grounds for animals such as birds, insects or mammals. These areas can also be valuable habitats for rare and endangered plant species.  In intensively used agricultural areas, the areas under the poles are specially designed, so that they can serve as a refuge for many plants and animals