Assessment of the Dürrenstein Wilderness Area, Austria
The area of Dürrenstein Wilderness comprises some 3.500 ha. The planned extension of the wilderness area into the Lassingtal covers approximately additional 3.500 ha.
The Lassingtal area is dominated by mostly slope forests on the south eastern descent of a ridge stretching from the 1.878 m high Dürrenstein along the Lower Austrian – Styrian border to the 1.808 m high Hochkar in a south-westerly direction. The height of the Lassingbach reaches from about 700 m above sea level in the area Rothwald, where it enters the wilderness area, to the lowest point on the western edge of the area at about 530 m above sea level.
Geologically, Dachstein limestone and dolomite („Hauptdolomit“) dominate in the area. Proposed area for extension is composed largely by beech and spruce forests and comprises mainly unmanaged natural river section and its streams. Spruce trees were planted in the past in part of the area and form a barrier against spreading the bark-beetle into more natural forests, however it is foreseen that forest management will gradually be abandoned in the future.
The spruce-fir-beech forest (Abieti-fagetum) and subalpine spruce forests (Vaccinio piceetea) dominate in the Lassingtal area. Beech trees form the tree line in some subareas. The uppermost tree line is formed by Pinus mugo, which continues in the upper areas in rocky corridors and alpine lawns. There are at least three endemic plant species, including Festuca versicolor, Primula clusiana, Sorbus austriaca.
Along the mainly unmanaged natural river Lassing and its streams, riverine landscapes with typical vegetation, are well-developed and largely undisturbed. Almost the entire composition of alpine fauna species and extremely rich deadwood fauna with the EU “priority” species can be found in the area. Several Annex I species of the EU Birds Directive are also abundant.
The area Dürrenstein – Lassingtal fulfils the EU criteria for wilderness areas and the extended area complies with description and distinctive features of the IUCN Protected Area category 1b.
