The network NATURA 2000, which contains protected areas of the EU Birds Directive and the Flora Fauna Habitat Protection Areas (FFH), is of great importance due to its special abundance of animals, plants and habitat types. Through this network, nature is long term protected and the dramatic decline in biological diversity and species is stopped.
Bordering the Oderdike are the FFH area “Oderaue Kienitz” and the bird protection area “Middle Oderniederung” with the “Sophienthaler Polder” and its “Darnberg”. On the other side of the river there are the Dolina Odra area and the Dolina Dolne Dolmen area. Here there are no flood protection dikes, the floodplain area follows the natural rhythm of the river. Impressive is the natural dune “Monte Casino”.
On either bank of the Oder, softwood forests are growing, with pastures and black poplars, but also the hardwood forests with flutterulm and common oak dominate the landscape. The meadows contain species-rich altitudes and small waters. In the spring, over the vastness of the Oderaue, concerts of the red-bell-peaks, as well as pond- and sea-frogs, are heard. Sometimes even the tree frog – threatened with extinction – can be heard. Beavers and otters have their territories here.