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Natural forests for woodpeckers, beetles and bats

May 27, 2013 / CIPRA Internationale Alpenschutzkommission
The new Austrian project, "Network Natural Forests", intends to contribute to the protection of biodiversity by connecting its forest habitats via two elements: close-to-nature stepping stones and the co-operation of different protected areas.
Rosaria
Image caption:
The colourful Rosalia alpina beetle has been chosen by the "Network Natural Forests" project as an indicator for close-to-nature deciduous forests. © Mairhuber, ÖKOTEAM
With the "Network Natural Forests" project, the Kalkalpen and Gesäuse National Parks and the Dürrenstein Wilderness Area are building on the successful co-operation initiated as a pilot region in the Econnect project. Their main objective is to develop and implement strategies for the biotope network connecting the forests. The results of Econnect are used to identify the best stepping stone areas. A co-operation committee is being set up to integrate the needs and views of stakeholders such as the three participating provinces, the protected areas, landowners and municipalities. The project also supports landowners in implementing sustainable forms of forestry. Publicity activities will help make more widely known the benefits of natural forests for regional development and society. Last but not least, three species will directly benefit from the project activities: the white-backed woodpecker, the rosalia longicorn and bats.
Source and further information: www.netzwerk-naturwald.at/index.php/en-GB/ (en, de)