The Rhine foothills north of Ossenberger lock is about 57 hectares comprehensive nature reserve in Rheinberger district Ossenberg on the Lower Rhine . The eastern area of the nature reserve is also designated as FFH area DE-4405-302 NSG Rheinvorland north of the Ossenberger Schleuse, only part of the area, which means that this area is part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas .
The Rhine foreland north of the Ossenberger Schleuse consists of a still water and soft wood meadows with surrounding, extensively used pastureland . The body of water and its surroundings form the basis for the amphibians occurring in the area , in particular for the common spadefoot toads and crested newts, which are threatened with extinction and are included in the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive .
The long-term preservation and long-term development of the softwood meadows are at the center of protection efforts. In addition, the existing waters offer further development opportunities with regard to the herpetofauna .