Neusiedler See (3206)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Neusiedler See
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.8167, Longitude: 16.7667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 116 to 116
Area of KBA (km2): 271.58359
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lake Neusiedl is the most western shallow steppic lake in Europe. Extensive reedbeds (Phragmites), up to 5 km wide, fringe the lake. Human activities include annual cutting and burning of the reedbeds (`Other' land-use), recreation, fishing and hunting.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: An important site for breeding herons and birds associated with reedbeds.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (40%) | nature conservation and research (15%) | not utilised (30%) | tourism/recreation (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats come from the use of the lake for recreation, water pollution from fertilizer inputs and sewage, and infrastructural developments for recreation.