Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
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.
The site is important for species associated with riverine forest and humid grassland.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
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.
National None
International Partial500 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Ettenau, 500 ha). 1,120 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Salzachauen, 1,120 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Salzach valley (Austria). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/salzach-valley-iba-austria on 23/12/2024.
