Pielachtal (3220)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Pielachtal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.2167, Longitude: 15.4333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 211 to 333
Area of KBA (km2): 14.75736
Protected area coverage (%): 60.81
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The course of the Pielach, a tributary of the Danube, is in a near-natural state. Forest dominated by Alnus, Fraxinus, Acer and Salix is associated with the river. Adjacent areas are dominated by arable cultivation with two patches of Quercus woodland.
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 site is important for breeding riverine species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | forestry (30%) | not utilised (10%) | tourism/recreation (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Forest | 30 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The riverine forest is threatened with conversion to plantations and the river itself by canalization and shingle mining. The areas of the river that are important for birds are also heavily used for recreation.