March/Thaya riverine forest (3211)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: March/Thaya-Auen
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.4333, Longitude: 16.8333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 140 to 170
Area of KBA (km2): 154.60062
Protected area coverage (%): 97.92
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site lies on the border with Slovakia and is the largest lowland river system in Austria. Annual floods inundate large parts of the lowland area. The majority of the IBA consists of alluvial/very wet forest, dominated by Fraxinus and Quercus, oxbows and wetlands. Wet meadows occupy about 10 km2Human activities include forestry, hunting and angling.
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: The site is important for breeding woodland and wetland species. Species of global conservation concern that does not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (8 wintering birds).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (15%) | forestry (80%) | not utilised (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 80 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The planed Donau-Oder-Kanal could have a dramatic impact on the ecosystem. Plans for a new bridge and road are a serious threat to the northern part of the IBA. Hunting, particularly of wildfowl, occurs.