Underbody protection off?

Evening, I recently made the following unpleasant observation under the car on the outside (see pictures). Car is an A3 8P. Is exactly the place where I always put the jack on. I suppose that’s the underbody protection that dissolves there? And that under there rust? What kind of strut is that part of the frame at all? Does that have to be removed in the workshop first or could an absolute layman get there? Thanks for tips in advance.