LTER-Austria - Austrian Society for Long-term Ecological Research
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Short Description
Kalkalpen National Park is made up of two mountain ranges:
* The Reichraminger Hintergebirge is one of Austria's largest distinct forest areas - a sea of forest, which has not yet been dissected by public transportation routes and human habitation. Here, you will also find one of the longest intact stream systems of the Eastern Alps. Old shelters and overgrown trails remind us today of how wood was used and harvested in earlier times.
* The Sengsengebirge is a northern outpost of the Limestone Alps. The ca. 20 km long main ridge reaches its highest point at the Hoher Nock (1,963 m). The name Sengsengebirge can be traced back to the use of the forests as a source of energy for the numerous scythe smithies once located here.
Facts & Figures:
- Established: July 25, 1997 Area: 20,850 ha Zoning: 89% nature zone, 11% conservation area Property: 88% federally owned (Austrian Forestry Service), 11% privately owned, and 1% municipal property
- Internationally recognized: as a national park (IUCN category II) since 1998, Ramsar protected area (wetland of global importance), and Natura 2000 area (European nature reserve) since 2004 Elevation: 385 to 1,963 m (Hohe Nock)
- Main types of rock: Wetterstein limestone, primary dolomite
Contact Person
Franziska Pöpperl
Research Services
National parks provide enduring protection to unique natural landscapes for the benefit of future generations. According to the definition by the International Union for the Protection of Nature and Natural Objects, national parks are natural areas on water or land, which are designated to protect the integrity of one or several ecosystems and to preserve them for current and future generations. They are intended to prevent exploitation and other activities that may cause damage to the area. They are also meant to provide a basis for spirituality, research, education, recreation, and sightseeing that is environmentally and culturally compatible.
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
The national park operates a dense monitoring network of permanent soil and vegetation plots. A meteorological network was established in the early 90ties. Inventories of fauna, flora and habitats as well as various thematic maps exist. The LTER site Zöbelboden is situated in the area of the national park. It is embedded in the park-wide monitoring scheme.