Slope forests in the Klostertal (3252)
Austria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Steilhangwälder im Klostertal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.1333, Longitude: 9.9667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 580 to 1780
Area of KBA (km2): 22.5817
Protected area coverage (%): 79.84
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This alpine valley has a mild, humid climate as a result of the föhn wind from the Rhine valley. Twenty-five kilometres of the valley is covered by near-natural montane and subalpine forest. This consists mainly of species-rich, old-growth stands of broadleaved deciduous forest and mixed forest, interspersed with pioneer communities along ravines and avalanche tracks, and dwarf pines Pinus on rocky slopes. Forestry activities are limited to a few sites.
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 forest species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (5%) | forestry (40%) | not utilised (55%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Forest | 90 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include forest dieback as a result of acid rain (`Other' threats, above), exacerbated by traffic pollution from the valley floor, and high levels of grazing by deer preventing regeneration. Problems of access are likely to limit an expansion of forestry.