Lower Mur valley (3243)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Unteres Murtal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.7333, Longitude: 15.8167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 327
Area of KBA (km2): 138.87176
Protected area coverage (%): 54.37
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The River Mur forms the border between Austria and Slovenia. The river flow is completely regulated. Riverine forest still exists but parts are no longer flooded. The agricultural land compromises a mosaic of arable fields, patches of forest and woodland, and small fish-ponds. Mixed forests dominate the valley sides, although in many places they have been replaced by Picea plantations.
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 a number of breeding riverine forest and river species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (45%) | forestry (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 65 | |
| Forest | 30 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to the site are from gravel extraction, the creation of forestry plantations, the extraction of groundwater, and agricultural intensification.