Austrian part of Hanság (3203)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Österreichischer Teil des Hanság
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.7333, Longitude: 16.9667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 115 to 122
Area of KBA (km2): 44.81313
Protected area coverage (%): 65.78
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area is dominated by intensive arable agriculture (including a substantial proportion of set-aside land) with small areas of wet meadows (140 ha) and alluvial forest. Human activities include arable farming, hunting, tourism, and military operations.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: An important site for birds associated with arable agriculture and wet meadows. It is one of five Austrian sites for Otis tarda. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (3-4 breeding pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (90%) | forestry (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 80 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Grassland | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Agricultural intensification has slowed and the area of set-aside has increased (245 ha in 1993). During 1988-1993 intensive research on Otis tarda resulted in detailed management recommendations. Since 1994, a regular monitoring program has been conducted by National Park personnel.