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Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
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 Mixed forests dominate the valley sides, although in many places they have been replaced by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.
The site is important for a number of breeding riverine forest and river species.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats to the site are from gravel extraction, the creation of forestry plantations, the extraction of groundwater, and agricultural intensification.
National Low
International NonePart of the IBA is covered by two Nature Reserves, total area less than 10 ha.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lower Mur valley (Austria). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lower-mur-valley-iba-austria on 23/11/2024.