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close| Location | Austria, Steiermark |
| Central coordinates | 15o 49.00' East 46o 44.00' North |
| IBA criteria | B2, C6 |
| Area | 13,885 ha |
| Altitude | 200 - 327m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2009 |
Ornithological information The site is important for a number of breeding riverine forest and river species.
Site description The River Mur forms the border between Austria and Slovenia. The river flow is completely regulated. Riverine forest still exists but parts are no longer flooded. The agricultural land compromises a mosaic of arable fields, patches of forest and woodland, and small fish-ponds. Mixed forests dominate the valley sides, although in many places they have been replaced by Picea plantations.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Stork Ciconia nigra | breeding | 1997-2005 | 4-5 breeding pairs | good | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| White Stork Ciconia ciconia | breeding | 2003 | 8 breeding pairs | good | C6 | Least Concern |
| Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis | resident | 2003 | 4-5 breeding pairs | good | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius | resident | 1997-2005 | 30-50 breeding pairs | good | C6 | Least Concern |
| Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis | breeding | 1997-2005 | frequent [units unknown] | - | C6 | Least Concern |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | Nature Reserve | 1,102 | protected area overlaps with site | 10 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Alluvial and very wet forest; Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Mixed woodland | 30% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Rivers and streams | 5% |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Arable land; Forestry plantations; Other urban and industrial areas; Perennial crops, orchards and groves | 65% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | 45% |
| forestry | 50% |
Management considerations Threats to the site are from gravel extraction, the creation of forestry plantations, the extraction of groundwater, and agricultural intensification.
Protection status National Low International NonePart of the IBA is covered by two Nature Reserves, total area less than 10 ha.
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lower Mur valley. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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