Implementation of the Moosberg management plan

Short description

With the purchase of areas in the Moosberg area (NATURA 2000), the aim is to form the largest possible concentrated plots. The entire management of these areas is carried out by the nature park. The use of these areas is primarily reserved for nature conservation purposes. This is contractually agreed between the municipality and the nature park.

Point of departure

The south exposed area "Moosberg" in the municipality of Weißenbach is part of the nature conservation area “Tiroler Lech”. It extends between 900 m and 1.140 m altitude. The plots, extending to approximately 65 hectares, are currently owned by about 130 landowners and are included in the pending merger proceedings. Until now, the area has been managed largely traditionally and represents a small-scale mosaic of dry and humid areas, interspersed with valuable structural elements. The open meadows and pastures at the foot of the slope are of great importance for ground breeding bird species such as the whinchat and skylark. Other protected goods of this landscape type are the red-backed shrike, the tree pipit, the crimsonfinch and various other bird and bat species.

The habitats at Moosberg are currently in a critical condition. The intensification of cultivation in the plain and the abandonment in the steep slope area and the resulting shrubs pose a problem. In addition, to date there has been no corresponding visitor guidance. To counteract this problem, a management plan for the Moosberg was drawn up on behalf of the Environmental Protection Department. This management plan was further developed with regard to practical implementation measures and coordinated with the forest management plan. This included a priority ranking and concrete definition of the areas to be kept free.

Targets and target groups

The project aims to implement the existing management concepts. Particular attention will be paid to the conservation of habitat types relevant to the EU Habitats Directive. The project objective is achieved if the biodiversity on the Moosberg is preserved in the long term.

Project implementation and measures

Purchase of land (approx. 26 hectares) in the Moosberg area (NATURA 2000), so that the largest possible concentrated plots are formed. The parcel will subsequently be transferred to the municipality of Weißenbach. The entire management of these areas will be carried out by the nature park. The use of these areas is primarily reserved for nature conservation purposes. This is contractually agreed between the community and the nature park.

Establishment of a path for future management in the sense of nature conservation.

Uprooting and clearing of the stocking wood and shrubs on the purchased areas (including replacement measures) to enable future grazing on these areas. Timber remains only in precisely defined areas. In addition, some tall groups of trees are to remain as shelter areas and as shade for the grazing livestock. Due to the difficult terrain conditions, the use of machines in wide areas is only possible to a limited extent.

Water supply for each of the 3 separate pasture areas with at least 1 water tank. In the first phase, these water tanks are to be filled as required by the pasture operators. During the new construction of the path to the Moosberg, a water pipe is to be laid in the path over a length of approx. 800 running metres in order to enable a central water supply of the pasture areas later.

Removal of 3 huts, which are either to be compensated to the current owners or moved to their new parcels.