Tyrolian Lech valley (3250)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Tiroler Lechtal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.4667, Longitude: 10.5333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 800 to 1400
Area of KBA (km2): 131.36387
Protected area coverage (%): 19.88
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The upper course of the River Lech is largely unregulated and its course has large areas of sand and shingle with surrounding riverine forest of Salix and Alnus, and extensive areas of Pinus on drier sites. The lower slopes of the valley are covered by intensively utilized conifer and mixed forests. The valley floor contains non-intensively managed grasslands, orchards and several settlements.
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 upland forest species and breeding species associated with rivers, particularly with extensive shingle areas.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (25%) | forestry (60%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Forest | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The most immediate threat to the valley are measures to regulate the river and planned power plants along tributaries. Shingle is extracted from several areas of the river. Further threats come from the expansion of the infrastructure, refuse tipping on shingle beds (`Other' threat) and recreational activities.