A biotope is a more or less homogeneous part of the landscape that can be delimited from its surroundings. The definition and delimitation of a biotope is usually based on its plant and/or geomorphological characteristics and its current use. A typical example is a pond. By means of its shoreline and the aquatic plants growing in it, it can be relatively clearly demarcated from its surroundings. Just like some plant and animal species, certain biotope types are disappearing more and more from our landscape.

According to § 30 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act in conjunction with § 15 of the Thuringian Nature Conservation Act, certain parts of nature and landscape that are of particular importance as biotopes are protected by law. Unlike the more well-known nature conservation areas or national parks, no designation is required for statutory biotope protection to be effective. These biotopes are protected by law simply because they belong to a certain biotope type. Actions that could lead to the destruction or other significant impairment of such protected biotopes are prohibited.