Auswirkungen der Einstellung der Weidenutzung Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts im nordwestlichen Weinviertel

Salzburg

Amt der Salzburger Landesregierung

2004

9-10

Artikel aus einer Zeitschrift

200109538

Landschaft im Wandel : Offenhalten der Landschaft (Tagungsband) ; Nr. 29, 9-10

Agricultural statistics show that sheep-farming was common in the northwestern part of the Weinviertel until the end of the 19th century. Grazing had an important impact on the development of the dry-grassland and heathland in the surrounding of the town of Retz. Nowadays, more than a 100 years after the termination of grazing, changes of the landscape are apparent. Comparing of maps from 1820 and today we could show that many areas, which were assigned to pastures in 1820, now are covered by forests (mostly pine-forests). Also old names of parts of the countryside indicate the open character of the landscape. Today's remnants of dry-grassland and heathland vegetation can be found on the hills of silicious bedrock to the east of the Manhartsberg. But their vegetation is endangered due to succession: shrubs (e.g. roses) and trees (Pinus sylvestris, Robinia pseudoacacia) outcompete plants, which are adapted to habitats, rich in light and poor in nutrients. A comparison of aerial photographs (1965 - 1987) shows the increase of shrubs and trees. Subsequently changes in the herb layer of the grassland and heathland can be observed: on base of phytosociological relevees and detailed presence / absence relevees it could be shown that the increase of competitive herbs and grasses causes a diversity loss. This process is also responsible for the endangerment of many stress-tolerant but less competitive plant species (e.g. species of the Red-List).