Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
This area of the Alps is characterized by a karst landscape with steep limestone cliffs and deep river gorges. Mixed forests (montane zone) and conifer forests (subalpine zone) dominate. Steep slopes have prevented widespread intensive forestry but in many places original forest has been replaced by monocultures of
Picea. Above the treeline are small areas of alpine meadows. The valleys contain a few important raised bogs. The area is used for forestry and tourism.
The site is important for species found in montane and subalpine forest, rocky areas and cliffs
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Intensive forestry is the main threat to the IBA. Recreation, particularly winter sports and canoeing, causes habitat loss and disturbance. Hunting is widespread and may affect grouse (Tetraonidae) populations.
National Low
International High855 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserves (Leckermoos, 34 ha; Lechnergraben, 245 ha, Rothwald I, 277 ha; Rothwald II, 299 ha). 39,000 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (ötscher-Dürrenstein, 80,235 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ötscher-Dürrenstein (Austria). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ötscher-dürrenstein-iba-austria on 23/12/2024.
