Natura 2000 Area

Since EU directives must be transposed into national law and nature conservation in Austria falls under the jurisdiction of the federal states, the implementation of Natura 2000 has primarily been carried out through the nature conservation laws of the individual federal states. The legal basis for the state-specific Natura 2000 sites, also known as European protected areas (Hohe Tauern in Carinthia, Tyrol, and Salzburg), consists of the respective nature conservation laws, national park laws, and (protected area) regulations.
In practice, these regulations are supplemented by management plans, which define targeted conservation and management measures to ensure the protection of endangered species and habitats. This legal framework guarantees compliance with the requirements of the Natura 2000 network at the European level, while also considering the regional characteristics of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

With its diverse altitudinal zones — from valleys and mountain forests to alpine pastures and rugged summit regions — the Hohe Tauern National Park contributes a wide range of habitat types to the Natura 2000 network. Across the three protected areas (Hohe Tauern Carinthia, Tyrol, and Salzburg), a total of 31 habitat types are classified under the Fauna-Flora-Habitat (FFH) Directive. These habitats of European importance include larch-stone pine forests, alpine grasslands, scree slopes, and permanent glaciers. Additionally, numerous species benefit from European protection, including the golden eagle, bearded vulture, black, grey, and three-toed woodpecker, rock partridge, hazel grouse, ptarmigan, peregrine falcon, eagle owl, as well as the marsh fritillary butterfly and the lesser horseshoe bat.

The condition of these habitats and species of European significance must be maintained or, if necessary, restored in accordance with Natura 2000 regulations for the long term. While some habitats and species thrive best without human influence, others rely on active management for their preservation, such as regular mowing, clearing, or grazing. In the Hohe Tauern National Park, where much of the land is privately owned, this can only be achieved through collaboration between nature conservation efforts and landowners. The unique integration of natural and cultural landscapes is what makes the National Park stand out within the Natura 2000 network.

Possible impacts on habitats and species caused by projects that require approval or notification are reviewed by the responsible authorities. No significant deterioration or substantial disturbances of the habitats and species reported for the area are permitted. The core of the assessment is to ensure that the project aligns with the conservation objectives for the habitats and species within the protected area.

To assess and continuously monitor the condition of habitats and species, regular surveys are conducted. These surveys document both the occurrences and the conservation status of the species and habitats. Given the vast area of the Hohe Tauern National Park, with many inaccessible regions, this task presents significant challenges. To address this, combined methods such as on-site observations, modeling, and remote sensing techniques with varying levels of detail are employed.