Western Weinviertel (3216)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Westliches Weinviertel
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.6500, Longitude: 15.9667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 218 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 316.19425
Protected area coverage (%): 60.44
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A hilly area dominated by arable agriculture near the border with the Czech Republic. Small remnants of wet meadows and dry grasslands remain, each less than 1-2 km2in total. Woodland is confined to small patches.
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 breeding farmland birds with an stable Otis tarda population.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (97%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 95 | |
| Forest | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Past plans to construct new roads and power-lines have been prevented but remain a threat for the future. The planting of shelterbelts will reduce the available habitat for Otis tarda. Since 1996 there has been a species protection programme for O. tarda.