Year
2012
Abstract
Nature and cultural landscape are inseparably linked in the Wachau. They are the real riches of the region. To preserve this unique landscape for next generations is a goal of the Wachau working group. In the last 5 eventful years, nature conservation measures have been implemented in many individual projects with the LIFE Nature Project.
“It corresponds to the dignity of nature, even of man, if we leave parts of the landscape naturally, without subduing it economic interests” Hannes Hirtzberger (Chairman of the Wachau Working Group )
The Wachau is the only section in Austria where the Danube river flows freely next to the Donauauen National Park.
The alternation of rocky narrowings and slightly rising valley expansions requires an extraordinarily rich landscape. This unique river landscape is characterized by auretic, dry grasslands, near-natural forests and a mosaic of vineyards and orchards. This landscape provides habitat for many rare animal and plant species.
In the last five LIFE nature project years, the Arbeitskreis Wachau - Regional Development as a project promoter has succeeded in realising the complex goals of the project in cooperation with the project partners via donau, the state fishing association, the NÖ Landesfischereiverband, the Ministry of Life and the municipalities. Decisive improvements have been achieved for the different habitats of the Danube, natural forest, dry grasslands and steep meadows. More than 6 km of new Danube secondary waters and 24 new gravel structures (quay islands and banks) in the main stream, more than 160 hectares of unsused natural forest cells and more than 50 hectares of restored, deush-breaking dry grasslands confirm the successful nature conservation work.
In all project phases, cooperation and coordination with all project participants, but especially with landowners and farmers, were the hottest. For this reason, the LIFE Natur project has also grown into acceptance in the region for the work to protect the natural and cultural landscape. LIFE Natur has become a showcase project for the implementation of Natura 2000 goals in the Wachau.
The project successes of LIFE Natur Wachau will continue to be an incentive in the responsible use of nature in the future.
“It corresponds to the dignity of nature, even of man, if we leave parts of the landscape naturally, without subduing it economic interests” Hannes Hirtzberger (Chairman of the Wachau Working Group )
The Wachau is the only section in Austria where the Danube river flows freely next to the Donauauen National Park.
The alternation of rocky narrowings and slightly rising valley expansions requires an extraordinarily rich landscape. This unique river landscape is characterized by auretic, dry grasslands, near-natural forests and a mosaic of vineyards and orchards. This landscape provides habitat for many rare animal and plant species.
In the last five LIFE nature project years, the Arbeitskreis Wachau - Regional Development as a project promoter has succeeded in realising the complex goals of the project in cooperation with the project partners via donau, the state fishing association, the NÖ Landesfischereiverband, the Ministry of Life and the municipalities. Decisive improvements have been achieved for the different habitats of the Danube, natural forest, dry grasslands and steep meadows. More than 6 km of new Danube secondary waters and 24 new gravel structures (quay islands and banks) in the main stream, more than 160 hectares of unsused natural forest cells and more than 50 hectares of restored, deush-breaking dry grasslands confirm the successful nature conservation work.
In all project phases, cooperation and coordination with all project participants, but especially with landowners and farmers, were the hottest. For this reason, the LIFE Natur project has also grown into acceptance in the region for the work to protect the natural and cultural landscape. LIFE Natur has become a showcase project for the implementation of Natura 2000 goals in the Wachau.
The project successes of LIFE Natur Wachau will continue to be an incentive in the responsible use of nature in the future.
Publisher
LIFE Wachau Project