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close| Location | Austria, Niederösterreich |
| Central coordinates | 15o 9.00' East 48o 44.00' North |
| IBA criteria | B2 |
| Area | 4,754 ha |
| Altitude | 462 - 560m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2009 |
Ornithological information The site is important for breeding species associated with reedbeds and open water. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (5-10 breeding pairs).
Site description There are about 1,400 fish-ponds with a total surface of about 1,700 ha. The IBA consists of six discrete areas isolated from each other. Larger ponds often have extensive stands of reed Phragmites and other aquatic vegetation. Wet grassland, hay-meadows and Picea forests surround the ponds. The main human activity is fish-farming with some agriculture.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gadwall Anas strepera | breeding | 1998-1999 | 22-37 breeding pairs | good | B2 | Least Concern |
| Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula | breeding | 1998-1999 | 37-38 breeding pairs | good | B2 | Least Concern |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruneiteich | Nature Reserve | 44 | protected area overlaps with site | 40 |
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| Gebhartsteich | Nature Reserve | 86 | protected area overlaps with site | 86 |
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| Gemeindeau | Nature Reserve | 30 | protected area overlaps with site | 30 |
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| Waldviertler Teich, Heide und Moorlandschaften | Birds Directive | 54,486 | protected area contains site | 3,500 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Mixed woodland | 10% |
| Grassland | Mesophile grasslands | 20% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation | 20% |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Arable land; Forestry plantations | 50% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| forestry | 30% |
| fisheries/aquaculture | 20% |
| agriculture | 50% |
Management considerations There is a conflict between intensive fish-farming and piscivorous birds. Reedbeds are occasionally destroyed to increase the area of open water.
Protection status National Low International High160 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserves (Bruneiteich, 44 ha; Gebhartsteich, 86 ha; Gemeindeau, 30 ha). 3,500 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Waldviertler Teich, Heide-und Moorlandschaften, 54,486 ha).
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Fish-ponds in the Waldviertel. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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