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The aim of nature conservation in Germany is to protect nature and the landscape on the basis of their intrinsic value and as the basis for human life and health (Section 1 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act). The preservation of our livelihoods is a public task and serves the national objective enshrined in Article 20a of the Basic Law.
Overuse and destruction of nature and the landscape must be avoided and the restoration, preservation and long-term, sustainable use of natural resources must be pursued. The biological diversity, regenerative capacity, but also the diversity, individual character and beauty as well as the recreational value of nature and landscape must be safeguarded.
A distinction is made between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem according to whether living organisms are involved in the processes and interactions. Soils, water bodies, climate, air, biotopes and the landscape are regarded as abiotic. Biotic components of the ecosystem are fauna and flora. There are many interrelationships and interactions between the components, which are examined and studied in more detail in landscape ecology, for example. Individual components of the complex system must be protected so that they can fulfill their function in the long term. Important functions of the ecosystem: It provides us with a settlement area and business location (food, raw materials, processing, transportation), and serves us for recreation and health maintenance. Restricted or lost functions can have serious consequences for people and future generations.
Important objects of nature conservation include natural landscapes, natural monuments, protected areas and landscape features, as well as rare and endangered plants, animals and habitats (biotopes) that occur in certain ecosystems depending on their location. Nature conservation is therefore also concerned with location factors such as soil, climate, air or the effects of noise and other harmful influences on nature and landscape such as light, movement, fragmentation or isolation of habitats. Nature and landscape must be protected in populated and unpopulated areas. In recent decades, nature conservation within settlements and on agricultural land has also become increasingly important.
The Lower Nature Conservation Authority, which is part of the Environment Department of Gera City Council, is responsible for implementing the legal requirements for nature conservation in almost all areas.