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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 a foundation 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 state objective enshrined in Article 20a of the Basic Law.
Overuse and destruction of nature and landscape must be avoided, and the restoration, preservation and long-term and sustainable usability of natural assets must be strived for. In this context, the biological diversity, the regenerative capacity, but also the diversity, uniqueness and beauty as well as the recreational value of nature and landscape are to be safeguarded.
A distinction is made between abiotic and biotic components of the natural balance according to whether living organisms are involved in the processes and interactions. Soils, waters, climate, air, biotopes and the landscape are considered abiotic. Biotic components of the natural balance are fauna and flora. There are many connections 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 natural balance: It provides us are settlement area and economic location (food, raw materials, processing, transport), serves us for recreation and health maintenance. Restricted or lost functions can have serious effects on humans and for future generations.
Important objects of nature conservation are, among others, natural landscapes, natural monuments, protected areas and landscape components, as well as rare plants, animals and habitats (biotopes) whose existence is endangered and which occur in certain ecosystems depending on their location. Nature conservation is therefore also concerned with site factors such as soil, climate, air or the effects of noise, as well as other harmful influences on nature and landscape such as light, movement, fragmentation or isolation of habitats. Nature and landscape are to be protected in settled and unsettled areas. In recent decades, nature conservation within settlements and on agricultural land has also become more important.
Responsible for the enforcement of the legal requirements for nature conservation is the lower nature conservation authority for almost all areas of responsibility, which is located in the environmental department of the Gera municipality.