Untitled Document

	LIFE+ Project "Cross-border Protection of the Great Bustard in Austria – continuation"

The four project areas.

Objectives

The main aim of the LIFE+ Project is the continuation of the successful concept of the LIFE Project “Great Bustard“ in Austria until 2015 in all of the four important Great Bustard areas in Austria. As in two project areas the main mortality factor and therefore the main population threat have widely been removed (transfer of power lines below the soil and marking of power lines, respectively), further necessary transfer of power lines below the soil and marking should take place, particularly in the project area Sandboden and Praterterrasse. This should contribute to a further long-term increase of the Austrian and the whole cross-border West-Pannonian Great Bustard population, respectively. Furthermore on the basis of bustard protection the unique value of the cultural landscape and the need for integrated nature conservation in the framework of Natura 2000 und LIFE should be continued to be communicated to the public

Planned actions

In Burgenland and Lower Austria around 33.1 km of power lines will be transferred below the soil and then the existing power lines will be removed. Therefore larger power line-free areas will be created for the Great Bustard by means of the LIFE+ Project.

Within the project around 3.9 km of high voltage power lines will be marked with bird warning flags.

Parts of two shelter belts, each 100 m, will be removed to extend and to improve the connectivity of the Great Bustard habitat.

Due to these actions and due to further intensive conservation efforts such as the competent support of the Great Bustards and the extensive habitat management, the Austrian Great Bustard population of 244-274 individuals at the breeding time 2010 should further increase.

For maintaining living conditions and food supply for Great Bustards in Austria in a good state, an efficient cooperation of nature conservation with local farmers and hunters will also be required in the future. At the moment around 550 farmers and more than 100 hunters are involved in the project.

As Great Bustards don‘t mind borders, an intensive co-operation between Austria and its neighbouring countries Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will be carried out in the future within the LIFE+ Project concerning the cross-border protection of the West-Pannonian Great Bustard population.

Planned transfer of power lines below the soil and marking of power lines in the project areas.

Project duration
October 2010 to December 2015

Project beneficiary
Österreichische Gesellschaft Großtrappenschutz (ÖGG)
Bgm. Reinhold Reif (chairman)
post@deutsch-jahrndorf.bgld.gv.at

Planned project budget
4.508.481 EURO (of this 3.381.360 Euro = 75 % EC)

LIFE+ Nature and these actions target the conservation of endangered species and habitats based on the EU Birds Directive and the Fauna Flora Habitats Directive, respectively. The protected area network Natura 2000 contributes to the preservation of the animal and plant diversity in the wild and of their habitats all over Europe.

Male saving

Detailed information on this project can be found here:

LIFE+ Projektinformation deutsch (pdf, 1,43 MB)

LIFE+ project information english (pdf, 1,43 MB)

Illustrated book “Die Großtrappe in Mitteleuropa. Erfolgreicher Schutz der westpannonischen Population"

Part 1: hardcover (1,2 MB)

Part 2: core (16,5 MB)

The LIFE+ Project LIFE09 NAT/AT/000225 is supported by the EU and the following project partners and co-financiers: