Western Waldviertel (3227)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Westliches Waldviertel
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.6333, Longitude: 14.9667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 860
Area of KBA (km2): 402.60771
Protected area coverage (%): 62.52
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This area lies on the Bohemian Mass, a large plateau in northern Austria. The landscape is hilly with stands of conifer and mixed forest, rivers, and a few fish-ponds. A fine-scale habitat mosaic of arable fields, grassland, hedges and small woodlands exists. Agriculture is still of comparatively low intensity.
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 found in areas of mixed, low-intensity agriculture. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (4 breeding pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (80%) | forestry (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 70 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Agricultural intensification, particularly field enlargement, is a potential threat.