Within the scope of the investigations which are intended to document the ecologic value of the military exercise base Allensteig, the key work areas in 1990/91 were: - landscape and vegetation - ornithology (ornithologic mapping, importance of fallow land for the birds) - otter population - bat fauna - amphibians and reptiles as well as - molluscs. After the biotope investigation in Grossmittel (Federal Environmental Agency, 1989), this was the second large-area military exercise base in Austria which was examined for its natural landscape elements. Vegetation. The military exercise base has a total area of approximately 16.000ha, 7.500 of which are to be consideres as "old wilderness areas". These are areas which were allowed to develop over a long period without human intervention. An example for this type of area are the beautiful birchgroves which are unique in Austria. Besides the wilderness areas, the military exercise base also contains remainders of old cultural landscapes: old trees and shrubs, hedges, tree lines and coloured fallow land of dry grassland, extensively managed hey meadows and humid meadows which are characterized by their biodiversity. These remainders of the former cultural landscape belong to the botanically most precious areas of the military exercise base. Based on the vegetational and landscape ecological investigations a list was drawn up, documenting the biotope types of the military exercise base. In total, 26 biotopes and biotope complexes were described in view of their aspect, location, flora, development, level of threat, and protection. Ornithology. The investigations showed that the military exercise base gives shelter to the most important heath-cock population in the region of the Bohemian Massif and also to the largest known corncrake population in Austria. The number of brood pairs of the snipes, amounting to 28 to 30, is also of national importance. 50% of the total Austrian population of the Great Grey Shrike are living in this area. The largest share of species included in the Red List was found in the fallow land. In this respect, forests and waters must be attributed the last rank. This is on the one hand due to the high share of intensively used pine-woods, on the other hand to the comparatively insignificant share of water areas. 33 species (27%) of the brood bird fauna of the military exercise base, which are living partly in considerable populations, figure in the Red List of Austria. Herpetology. The existence of large unexploited areas has also positive effects on the herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles). In total, 13 amphibian and four reptile species could be detected. Within the scope of the investigations we found that, contrary to the other uses of the military exercise base (agriculture, forestry, fish-hatchery, traffic), the military use has rather positive effects on the local herpetofauna. Through military activities, like driving with heavy track vehicles, digging of trenches, etc., cavities are produced in the soil which, after rain or snow melting, are available for spawn and are used as summer habitats for amphibians. Bat Fauna. 13 of the 24 total bat species of Austria could be found in the military exercise base. Intact buildings, nature forests, old orchards, tree lines and brooks are important landscape elements for bats. The abandoned bunkers are used only by two species because of the lack of suspension and shelter possibilities. As there are only very few intact buildings and old forests, there are only few maternity colonies. Otters. During the investigations, a mapping of the otter population was also made within the frontiers of the military exercise base as well as in the adjoining regions. The otters were found to be concentrated in the north, in the region around Allensteig. This may be due to the otter population ashore the German Thaya, in the north of Waidhofen/Thaya. However, the brooks flowing into the Kamp are free from otters ...
