Protected areas and biotopes

Jena is part of the European protected area network "Natura 2000". This includes the bird sanctuary (SPA - Special Protection Area) "Muschelkalkhänge der westlichen Saaleplatte" in the western part of the city as well as the Flora-Fauna-Habitat areas (FFH).

The Natura 2000 network of protected areas serves to preserve the natural diversity of species by maintaining and restoring the habitats of wild animals and plants.

Jena is part of 7 FFH areas that surround the city in a ring. In addition, there are objects with FFH status that serve to protect bats, e.g. the churches in Cospeda and Kunitz.

Bird sanctuaries and FFH areas together cover around 44% of the city area. This puts Jena well above the state average.

The network of Natura 2000 stations is now an integral part of nature conservation throughout Thuringia. The stations are backed by associations and organizations that have been active in the regions for years. They initiate projects, advise land users and carry out initial conservation measures.

In Jena and a large part of the Saale-Holzland district , the Natura 2000 station "Mittlere Saale" has been carrying out these tasks since 2017 . You can find more information at Natura 2000 stations in Thuringia.

There are currently seven legally designated nature conservation areas in Jena. Some of the areas extend beyond the city limits into the Saale-Holzland district.

The nature reserves represent biotope complexes of national importance. For example, the marasca bushes in the "Isserstedter Holz" nature reserve and the orchids in the "Leutratal and Cospoth" nature reserve are known beyond the city limits. The limestone, semi-dry and fully dry grasslands in particular offer ideal habitat conditions for orchids.

The ordinances for the individual protected areas can be requested in the city's service portal: Protected areas - Construction and other projects.

Landscape conservation areas are also legally binding. As a rule, they provide a special habitat for wild animal and plant species, stand out due to their diversity, unique character or cultural and historical significance of the landscape and fulfill important functions for recreation.

All measures in an LSG must be compatible with the conservation objectives of the area.

The LSG "Mittleres Saaletal zwischen Göschwitz und Camburg" covers by far the largest area of the urban area with a total area of approx. 16,622 ha. The LSG has the character of a local recreation area.

The forest areas arranged in a ring around the urban area are intended to serve the experience of the landscape and nature. The interests of nature conservation must be taken into account.

Small-scale landscape elements that are important for the natural balance, the townscape or landscape or for scientific, natural history or regional history reasons, for example, can also be legally protected as a protected landscape feature (GLB) or as a natural monument.

In addition to protected landscape features, Jena also has designated natural monuments, geological natural monuments and tree natural monuments.

Jena has around 3,000 legally protected biotopes.

Most of these are semi-dry and fully dry grasslands in combination with rocks, limestone gravel areas and dry scrub. The plants and animals living here are adapted to drought, high temperatures and large temperature fluctuations.

The orchards in Jena are also valuable biotopes. These are particularly important for birds and insects. Protected biotopes can also be found in the Saale floodplain.

The specially protected biotopes are recorded by state-wide mapping.

Further information on the protected biotopes in Jena and their mapping can be obtained from the map service of the Thuringian State Office for the Environment, Mining and Nature Conservation and in the leaflet under Downloads.