Austria - Overview

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Austria is a landlocked country covering 83.870,9 km² with its landmass distributed among the following eco-regions: alpine (10%); forest (49%); agricultural areas (34%); and 40% permanent settlement areas... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Some of the main pressures driving biodiversity loss in Austria are: fragmentation caused by roads and railways which impact on both landscape and ecosystems; eutrophication, which threatens most habitats types; abandonment of extensive, traditional forms of land use and subsequent succession of industrial extensive agriculture; application of diffuse chemical inputs; land clearance; reforestation; intensification of land use; land development, as well as interventions on wetlands such as river regulation, drainage and energy use... More »

Implementation of the NBSAP

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Completed in 1998, Austria first Biodiversity Strategy focused on objectives concerning the preservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of biological diversity, conservation of species and landscapes, research and monitoring, the tourism/mining/industry/energy sectors, transportation, development cooperation, indigenous people and the ecological approach... More »

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

To achieve its targets, Austria has set up a number of action plans to safeguard biodiversity including: the Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species; Action Plan on Species Protection; Natura 2000 Network of Protected Areas; 19 designated Ramsar Sites; Programme for Natural Forest Reserves; National River Basin Management Plan; Reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture, Salmo trutta marmoratus, Strix uralensis; Other reintroductions include Pulsatilla oenipontana (University of Innsbruck), Coleanthus subtilis, Elatine hexandra, Isolepis setacea, Eleocharis ovatus, Scirpus radicans, Lindernia procumbens, Limosella aquatic, Cyperus flavescens, Cyperus fuscus, Typha minima as well as Coleanthus subtilis and Limosella aquatic; 24 species protection projects carried out within the Austrian National Biodiversity Campaign “vielfaltleben”; Transboundary LIFE Project “Great Bustard” (Otis tarda) with Hungary and Slovakia; and numerous species protection projects carried out by the Nature Conservation Authorities of the Provinces (e.g... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

The main legislative instruments designed to protect biodiversity in Austria include: the Austrian Law on Plant Protection (1995); Flurverfassungsgrundsatzgesetz (BGBl.Nr... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Based on the current legal position, all Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) facilities in Austria now require licensing according to the respective material laws... More »