Fish-ponds in the Waldviertel (3226)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Waldviertler Teiche
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.7333, Longitude: 15.1500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 462 to 560
Area of KBA (km2): 27.94451
Protected area coverage (%): 86.73
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: There are about 1,400 fish-ponds with a total surface of about 1,700 ha. The IBA consists of six discrete areas isolated from each other. Larger ponds often have extensive stands of reed Phragmites and other aquatic vegetation. Wet grassland, hay-meadows and Picea forests surround the ponds. The main human activity is fish-farming with some agriculture.
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 species associated with reedbeds and open water. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (5-10 breeding pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | fisheries/aquaculture (20%) | forestry (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is a conflict between intensive fish-farming and piscivorous birds. Reedbeds are occasionally destroyed to increase the area of open water.