Southern Waldviertel (3222)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Südliches Waldviertel
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.4167, Longitude: 15.2833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 330 to 966
Area of KBA (km2): 330.24883
Protected area coverage (%): 55.74
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This area forms part of the plateau of the Bohemian Mass. The majority of the site is covered by intensively-managed Picea plantations with some areas of broadleaved and mixed forest. There are also substantial areas of arable agriculture and mesophile grassland. Wetlands and wet meadows have been reduced to small remnants.
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 forest and farmland species. The numbers of Crex crex fluctuate widely from year to year.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | forestry (70%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 70 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Conversion of native forests into plantations, forestry operations and agricultural intensification are the main threats. The remaining wet meadows are threatened by afforestation.