Biodiversität und landschaftliche Vielfalt Österreichs

Wien

1994

S. 23-55

42 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

200077130

Austrias flora and fauna is probably the richest of the Central European countries regarding its geographical position as an alpine country with close contact to the East European lowlands, the Central European highlands (Bohemian forest), and its contacts to the submediterranean regions of Northern Italy and Slovenia. For example recent investigations revealed 2873 native vascular plant species, and 239 indigenous birds breading in Austria. Both figures exceed those of the neighbouring countries, e.g. Switzerland with 2420 vascular plant species. However, endemics which are predominantly high mountain organisms contribute only to a minor part to the high biodeversity. In fact Austria can be considered as a huge ecotone connecting Central Europe with the East and the South. Since neolithic times man has influenced biodiversity significantly. Today about 30% of the flora can be considered as synanthropic. As a consequence the maintenance of traditional rural landscapes may support the conservation of biodiversity.