LIFE Ausseerland - Natural wood lands, bogs and habitat network around Aussee LIFE12 NAT/AT/000321

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1 LIFE Ausseerland - Natural wood lands, bogs and habitat network around Aussee LIFE12 NAT/AT/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Project Manager: Anna-Sphie PIRTSCHER Tel: Anna-Sophie.Pirtscher@bundesforste.at Project description: Background The project area encompasses two main Natura 2000 (N2000) network sites, the Styrian Dachstein plateau" (7 455 ha) and "Totes Gebirge" ( ha). Two smaller N2000 network sites and several habitat connectivity corridors are also included within the project area. The main habitat type targeted by the project is forest. During recent centuries, monocultural spruce forests have been developed that are characterised by low diversity and structure and increasing sensitivity to pests and heavy wetter conditions. The alluvial and riparian forests have become degraded through regulation of rivers and drainage of wetlands. Open areas, which formerly were used as alpine pastures, are often abandoned and the valuable grassland habitats are progressively overgrown by spruces. Objectives The focus of the project is to improve the structural diversity in the forests, as well as the function of ecological corridors between the mountainous areas. The main objectives are: To develop forest areas characterised by an ecologic diversity and high share of dead wood within the Dachstein plateau and Totes Gebirge N2000 sites;

2 To create a grouse habitat network for Tetraonidae (grouse/ capercaillie) through the development of stepping stones between the two Natura 2000 sites on some 300 ha; To create the Mitterndorfer habitat network, a system consisting of peatlands and wetlands. After the restoration of target habitats, some 150 ha will be nominated for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network; To integrate regional partners and non-governmental organisations into the project and carry out public relations activities focusing on LIFE and the N2000 network. Expected results: Transformation of ha of spruce-dominated montane forests to ensure 10m3 of dead wood per ha, thereby providing suitable habitat for a number of saproxylic species; Development of 300 ha of forest according to the needs of the wood grouse (Tetrao urogallus - goal 150 breeding pairs) and of 50 ha of sub-alpine shrub vegetation for the black grouse (Tetrao tetrix - goal 290 breeding pairs); adoption of a 300 ha core grouse habitat network area into a Natura 2000 network site; Restoration of 1 km of drainage ditches and 60 ha of peatlands; Creation of small habitats for the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegate); Restoration of some 15 km of the river Salza; Restoration of 4km of valley creeks and removal of barriers to improve habitats for the stone crayfish (*Austropotamobius torrentium), bullhead (Cottus gobio) and other freshwater fish species; Creation of 15 ponds > 40 m2 for the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex); Implementation of a gene pool programme for the stone crayfish; Re-naturalisation of the river mouth area of the Stimitz river in lake Grundlsee; for the Caspian shemaya (Chalcalburnus chalcoides); and Connection of the regional nature trail network and creation of three theme trails of (2.5 km long). Five information points will be creating along the trails. This will be supported by a full range of other dissemination activities (exhibitions in tourism centres; videos, workshops, leaflets, hiking maps etc). Results Environmental issues addressed: Themes Biodiversity issues - Ecological coherence Habitats - Forests Keywords

3 mountainous area animal corridor forest ecosystem protected area Target species Actitis hypoleucos Aegolius funereus Alectoris graeca Aquila chrysaetos Austropotamobius torrentium Bombina variegata Bonasa bonasia Bubo bubo Buxbaumia viridis Carabus variolosus Chalcalburnus chalcoides Cottus gobio Cucujus cinnaberinus Cypripedium calceolus Dendrocopos leucotos Dicranum viride Dryocopus martius Euphydryas aurinia Falco peregrinus Ficedula albicollis Ficedula parva Glaucidium passerinum Lanius collurio Pernis apivorus Picoides tridactylus Picus canus Rosalia alpina Stephanopachys substriatus Tetrao tetrix Tetrao urogallus all others Triturus carnifex Target Habitat types Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels "Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)" Mountain hay meadows Active raised bogs Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration Transition mires and quaking bogs Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) Alkaline fens Alpine pioneer formations of the Caricion bicoloris-atrofuscae Calcareous and calcshist screes of the montane to alpine levels (Thlaspietea rotundifolii) Western Mediterranean and thermophilous scree Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation Limestone pavements Caves not open to the public Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests Medio-European subalpine beech woods with Acer and Rumex arifolius Medio-European limestone beech forests of the Cephalanthero-Fagion "Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines" 91D0 - Bog woodland 91E0 - "Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)" Acidophilous Picea forests of the montane to alpine levels (Vaccinio-Piceetea) Alpine Larix decidua and/or Pinus cembra forests "Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain

4 areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe)" "Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae)" Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition - type vegetation Natural dystrophic lakes and ponds Turloughs Alpine and Boreal heaths Bushes with Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsutum (Mugo-Rhododendretum hirsuti) Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites) Natura 2000 sites SCI AT Totes Gebirge mit Altausseer See SCI AT Steirisches Dachsteinplateau SCI AT Ödensee SCI AT Zlaimmöser-Moore / Weißenbachalm Beneficiaries: Coordinator Österreichische Bundesforste AG Type of organisation Development agency Description Founded in 1925, the state-run Österreichischen Bundesforste (ÖBf) is responsible for the management of over ha of land, more than the half of which has nature conservation status, with 26% ( ha) incorporated within the EU s Natura 2000 network of protected sites. The latter area comprises of forests, alpine sites, alluvial areas, meadows, lakes and peatlands. Partners Government of Styria, Dep. 14 Wasserwirtschaft, Ressourcen und Nachhaltigkeit, Austria Gemeine Altaussee, Austria Gemeinde Grundlsee, Austria Wildbach- und Lawinenverbauung, Austria

5 Administrative data: Project reference LIFE12 NAT/AT/ Duration 01-JUL-2013 to 30-JUN Total budget 5,727, EU contribution 2,863, Burgenland(Österreich) Niederösterreich(Österreich) Wien(Österreich) Project location Kärnten(Österreich) Steiermark(Österreich) Oberösterreich(Österreich) Salzburg(Österreich) Tirol(Österreich) Vorarlberg(Österreich) Read more: Project web site Project's website Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more