Why is the southern part of Lower Saxony more densely populated than the northern lowlands?

The southern part of Lower Saxony is more densely populated than the northern lowlands primarily due to differences in soil quality and agricultural suitability.

The northern half of the state is dominated by sandy lowlands characterized by heath, bog, and polder, which are sparsely populated. In contrast, the southern uplands and their foothills feature high-quality agricultural land. Specifically, a narrow east-west zone across the state contains a treeless belt of rich loess soil known as the Börde, which supports more intensive settlement and land use compared to the less-fertile northern regions.1