“Imagine a place where nature reigns supreme.” That’s Biosphärenpark Wienerwald Kernzone Latisberg. Here, in the Biosphärenpark Wienerwald Kernzone Latisberg, nature takes precedence. Forestry management has ceased. The area is left to its own devices. It follows the principle of process-based nature conservation.
Within the Biosphärenpark Wienerwald, 37 sub-areas were selected. This selection was part of a participatory process based on expert criteria. These areas cover over 5400 hectares. They have been designated as core zones.
These core zones are spread throughout the Biosphärenpark Wienerwald. This distribution serves two purposes. It aims to represent all forest communities in core zones. It also enables genetic exchange between species. This prevents isolated populations.
In Biosphärenpark Wienerwald Kernzone Latisberg, trees can live for hundreds of years. Eventually, insects or fungi cause them to die. Or, the wind simply fells them. The wood decays. It releases stored nutrients back into the natural cycle. This process allows the “primeval forests of tomorrow” to grow. Some animal and plant species struggle in managed forests. Retreat areas like the core zones are vital for them.
Besides nature conservation, core zones serve another function. UNESCO explicitly mentions this. They allow scientists to study ecological connections. They can research processes in areas without human use. The research goal must align with the overall goal. It must contribute to process-based nature conservation.
Various projects have been carried out in partnership. These include mapping vegetation across the core zones. There is also basic monitoring of forest development. Biodiversity monitoring observes 13 different organism groups. Soil monitoring has also been implemented. These efforts aim to secure evidence of development. Findings from these activities are documented in project descriptions.
Are interventions allowed in these strictly protected areas? Yes, they are. Interventions happen if the safety of visitors is at stake. Officially designated hiking, cycling, and riding trails exist even in core zones. Austrian law holds landowners responsible. They must ensure the safety of people using these trails. Interventions may also occur during mass outbreaks. This happens if spruce bark beetles threaten adjacent commercial forests. Affected trees may be felled. Debarking prevents further breeding. Normally, the wood remains in the forest as deadwood.
In Austria, nature conservation falls under the jurisdiction of the individual states. Neither Lower Austrian nor Viennese nature conservation laws include a “core zone” category. Therefore, Lower Austrian core zones are designated as nature reserves. In Vienna, they are landscape protection areas. Agreements to discontinue forest use are private. They are made between the state and landowners. There are nine core zone landowners.
The Wienerwald offers many behavioral guidelines. These rules consider the zoning. You can find them in the “Rules of the Game in the Wienerwald” folder.
UNESCO designated the Wienerwald as a Biosphere Reserve in 2005. This designation protects the area’s natural and cultural elements. The region’s diverse landscape includes wooded hills, meadows, and orchards. Vineyards and dry grasslands add to the variety. These landscapes are the result of centuries of human cultivation. Four nature parks and the Lainzer Tiergarten are among the area’s preserves.
The Wienerwald spans 105000 hectares. It covers 51 municipalities in Lower Austria. It also includes seven districts in Vienna. The Wienerwald is one of Central Europe’s largest continuous deciduous forest areas. It is one of Austria’s most species-rich forests.
For residents, the Wienerwald serves as a habitat. It is also an economic and recreational area. Since 2005, the Biosphere Park has promoted coexistence. It enables a sustainable balance. This is between often differing interests. UNESCO Biosphere Parks have three main functions. They protect ecosystems and landscapes. They also conserve biological and cultural diversity. They support research and environmental monitoring. This helps people better understand man’s interaction with nature.
Leaving you with a sense of wonder for the natural world around you.