Austria - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Landlocked country in Central Europe. Capital: Vienna. Language: German (regional: Croatian, Hungarian, Slovenian). Member of the European Union since 1995. Inhabitants: 2005: 8.233 Million (1995: 7.948 Million; 1975: 7.579 Million).

Austria covers 83.870,9 km² and the land is distributed as follows: 10% Alps; 47,2% forest cover (39... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

About 35% of the territory is classified as protected under various protection categories (http://www.umweltbundesamt.at) (36.4% according to WRI, 2003). About 3.6% of the territory is under strict protection through the nature reserve designation. Categories of protected areas include “protected landscapes” (15.4% of the territory), “nature parks” (4... More »

Percentage of Forest Cover

47.2% forest cover (39,600 km²) according to the Austrian Forest Inventory 2000/02 (about 43 % forest cover according to Statistik Austria). The Austrian Natural Forest Reserve Programme was launched in 1995. Up to now 188 reserves (8,479 ha) have been established on a voluntary basis by means of contracts between the country and forest owners... More »

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The Austrian National Biodiversity Strategy contains objectives concerning the preservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of biological diversity, the conservation of species and landscapes, research and monitoring, the tourism/mining/industry/energy sectors, transportation, development cooperation, indigenous people and the ecological approach... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

The network of protected areas, with all its different categories and the Natura 2000 sites, ensures that relevant ecological regions are protected. National targets for specific programs of work concerning agriculture, inland waters, forest and mountains have been established and incorporated into relevant plans, including the Austrian National Biodiversity Strategy... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Same as for 8j. The Austrian Development Cooperation supports indigenous and local community-based organizations in developing countries (Nicaragua, Brazil, Colombia, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nepal and others) by assessing local knowledge and integrated rural development programs as well as supporting local planning activities... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

The Austrian Development Cooperation supports indigenous and local community-based organizations in developing countries (Nicaragua, Brazil, Colombia, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nepal and others) by assessing local knowledge and integrated rural development programs as well as supporting local planning activities... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Dr. Andrea H. Nouak	CBD Primary NFP, GTI NFP, Resource Mobilization FP, GSPC NFP
Ms. Gabriele Obermayr	SBSTTA NFP, Protected Areas NFP
Dr. Martin Götzl	CHM NFP
Ms. Tanja Gottsberger	SBSTTA NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Dr. Michael Eckerstorfer	BCH NFP
Dr. Helmut Gaugitsch	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP