Wachau (3221)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Wachau
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.3167, Longitude: 15.4167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 198 to 960
Area of KBA (km2): 249.72655
Protected area coverage (%): 98.89
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Wachau, part of the Danube valley, is characterized by rocky slopes and cliffs. Land-use in the Wachau is mainly vineyards and orchards on the slopes, with arable land on the valley floor. Extensive areas of forest also remain on the slopes but native broadleaved species have been replaced with Picea. The Jauerling, a low mountain to the north-west of the Wachau, is covered by non-native Picea forests, interspersed with patches of broadleaved forest and grasslands.
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 species characteristic of open woodland, non-intensively managed orchards, rocky slopes and cliffs.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | forestry (70%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Forest | 40 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The floor of the Wachau is threatened by agricultural intensification, infrastructural development and housing development. Afforestation threatens the remaining grasslands and native broadleaved forest is being converted to Picea monocultures.