Salzach valley (3236)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Salzachtal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.0333, Longitude: 12.8333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 to 403
Area of KBA (km2): 37.75382
Protected area coverage (%): 49.81
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site covers the lower course of the River Salzach, a section still free of power plants. Extensive areas of riverine forest remain close to Salzburg, whilst the lower section of the valley is a steep-sided gorge. In the north of the site, an area of agricultural land includes a high proportion of wet meadows.
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 associated with riverine forest and humid grassland.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | forestry (60%) | hunting (20%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Forest | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Management of riverine forest is increasingly intensive and areas are being converted to plantations. Near Salzburg, riverine forest is being destroyed by gravel extraction and subsequent waste-dumping. Increasing tourism is creating high levels of disturbance. Several power plants are planned which would destroy the riverine ecosystem.