Steinfeld (3213)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Steinfeld
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.8333, Longitude: 16.2333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 210 to 355
Area of KBA (km2): 133.02533
Protected area coverage (%): 86.90
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Steinfeld is an extensive plain south of Vienna. Until recently it was the largest area of primary dry grassland in central Europe. Today, 20 km2of grassland remain, mainly within a military area. The remainder of the IBA is arable land and Pinus nigra plantations. There are also several large gravel-pits and two small airfields.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: The area is important for breeding species associated with grassland and arable agriculture. The IBA contains Austria's most important population of Burhinus oedicnemus and the largest population of Caprimulgus europaeus.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (55%) | forestry (20%) | military (10%) | urban/industrial/transport (15%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 15 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 85 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from the conversion of grasslands to arable land and gravel-pits, road building and urbanization in ecologically sensitive areas and recreational use and refuse dumps in former gravel-pits. An action plan for of Burhinus oedicnemus exist.