Lower course of the Traun (3234)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Untere Traun
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.0500, Longitude: 13.9667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 290 to 440
Area of KBA (km2): 30.07894
Protected area coverage (%): 65.58
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site consists of the lower and middle courses of the River Traun, a tributary of the Danube, and neighbouring areas of gravel-pits and fish-ponds. Substantial areas of riverine forest remain along the middle course of the river. Surrounding arable land is increasingly being put into set-aside. The area is very popular for recreation, primarily watersports and angling.
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 site for breeding species associated with a mix of wetland and forest. The gravel pits hold a large breeding population of Riparia riparia (800-1,700 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | forestry (50%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Forest | 40 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 40 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Forested areas are threatened by conversion to arable land, forestry plantations and gravel-pits. A new power plant is under construction within the IBA. The erection of high-tension power-lines has been detrimental to large migrant birds. There is a high degree of disturbance from recreational use of the area.