Lower Kamp valley (3225)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Unteres Kamptal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.4833, Longitude: 15.7000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 192 to 537
Area of KBA (km2): 203.31702
Protected area coverage (%): 25.26
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This area is contiguous with the Middle Kamp valley but is more developed and populated. Vineyards are the dominant land-use within a matrix of small arable fields, orchards, patches of woodland, dry grasslands and stone walls. Forest on the surrounding plateau and hills is dominated by Quercus and Pinus, which grow in sparse stands on poor soils.
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: An important area for species typical of mixed agricultural, grassland and wooded habitats, particularly Lullula arborea and Emberiza cia.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | forestry (30%) | not utilised (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 70 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Forest | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Field amalgamation is a major threat as it destroys the fine-scale habitat matrix. Remaining grasslands are threatened by afforestation. Several small power-plants and mills on the river have altered the fluvial processes. The valley is used intensively by tourists.