Restoring the natural water balance in the raised bog helps preserve valuable habitats, protect rare animal and plant species, and contribute to climate protection.
Federal Forests and the " Kalkalpen National Park " Initiative Revitalize the Feichtau Moor
An Important Contribution to Climate and Species Conservation
An Important Contribution to Climate and Species Conservation:
Federal Forest Service Revitalizes Valuable Marshland in the Kalkalpen National Park
The Austrian Federal Forests (ÖBf), in collaboration with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union ( Kalkalpen National Park ), are implementing a bog revitalization project at Feichtau. The goal of these measures is to restore the natural water balance of the raised bog. This will preserve valuable habitats, protect rare animal and plant species, and at the same time contribute to climate protection.
Peatlands are considered true climate protectors: Although they cover only about three percent of the world’s land area, they store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined. In addition, they act as natural water reservoirs that can mitigate both heavy rainfall events and periods of drought. At the same time, bogs are unique habitats for highly specialized animal and plant species and provide an indispensable refuge for numerous endangered and Red List species. However, peatlands are among the most endangered habitats. Drainage, peat extraction, and the effects of climate change are taking a heavy toll on many peatland landscapes. To preserve their vital role in climate regulation, the water cycle, and species conservation in the long term, revitalization and rewetting measures are of crucial importance.
Revitalization of the Feichtau Marsh in the Kalkalpen National Park
Located in the heart of the 20,850-hectare Kalkalpen National Park , the Feichtau Moor lies at an elevation of approximately 1,350 meters above sea level—a unique raised bog or transitional bog within the protected area, covering about 0.5 hectares. Raised bogs are rare in the national park because the permeable karst terrain and steep slopes quickly drain water away, making peat formation difficult. In the past, the Feichtau Moor was severely degraded by grazing and drainage measures. Now, the Austrian Federal Forests, in close coordination with the National Park Management Association ( Kalkalpen National Park ), are taking targeted steps toward rewetting the area. Existing drainage ditches were first identified and then sealed using approximately 140 running meters of larch wood sheet piling, so that water can once again be retained in the bog in the future. Water levels are being monitored before and after the project’s completion through water level measurements.
The goal of the restoration is to reestablish the rare raised bog habitat and revitalize the peat moss. A particular focus is on species conservation: living conditions for highly specialized animal and plant species are being improved. Among others, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and bird species, as well as the characteristic bog vegetation, will benefit from the restoration.
Working Together for Nature Conservation
The Austrian Federal Forests, together with partners from the private sector, carries out a wide range of nature conservation projects. In this case, Statistics Austria offers its survey participants the opportunity to support nature conservation measures on land managed by the Austrian Federal Forests. As a thank-you for participating in Statistics Austria’s surveys, respondents receive a gift certificate. They can donate the value of this gift certificate to a nature conservation project. The funds generated in this way go directly to bog conservation projects, among other initiatives. This enables areas in Styria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Tyrol to be revitalized and ecologically restored. One such project is the Feichtau Bog in the Kalkalpen National Park.
“Implementing a bog restoration project in a national park is a particular challenge, as it requires much greater consideration—than elsewhere—for the stakeholders and
, and above all for the protected resources found in the area—beyond the bogs themselves,” emphasizes Project Manager Xaver Wimmer of Regional Natural Area Management at the Austrian Federal Forestry Office.
The Austrian Federal Forests manage more than 2,000 hectares of wetlands throughout Austria and have been actively committed to their protection for decades. More than 50 wetland conservation projects have already been successfully implemented. In this way, the Austrian Federal Forests make an important contribution to climate protection, water management, and species conservation, and safeguard valuable habitats for future generations.
