Important projects within the framework of Countdown 2010

The wildcat in the National Park Thayatal
The wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a very shy forest dweller which was heavily decimated in the 19th and 20th centuries, in particular through hunting. It is considered extinct or missing in Austria and the Czech Republic.
As part of the project, a habitat evaluation of the Thayatal was made with a view to evaluate its suitability as wildcat habitat. With its dry-warm forests, interspersed meadows and dry grassland, and the undisturbed forest areas, the National Park Thayatal-Podijí provides ideal living conditions. The presence of the wildcat in the National Park Thayatal could be genetically established on the basis of hair samples. Research on the wildcat will continue and intensify. This should provide the foundations for the securing and promotion of a transborder occurrence of the wildcat in the Inter-National Park Thayatal-Podyjí.

Crayfish in the National Park Thayatal
Crayfish in flowing waters are extremely rare in Austria today, thus they really deserve to be protected. Because of its high protection status and considering the widespread loss of diversity, the existing population should definitely be maintained. The ongoing project and subsequent monitoring should contribute towards securing the local population in the future, and encourage its dissemination.
In Summer 2007, an exhibition on the theme “Crayfish in Austria” helped sensitizing the public, and in particular those interested in fishing and nature protection, with regards to the threats facing the Austrian crayfish, thus raising awareness and underlining the need for protection measures. The topic of endangered crayfish was further implemented in an educational manner with a guided tour as part of the visitors’ programme 2006 and a children’s programme in July 2007 (“Looking for young natural scientists!”).

The brown trout in the National Park Thayatal
Due to external factors, the brown trout population (Salmo trutta) in the Thaya River is in a critical state. Several studies (survey of spawning boxes, genetic analysis, Thaya river ecological study) have shown over the past years that reproduction problems were mainly responsible for the limited population and the disturbed population development. The planned project is aiming at outlining measures to support natural reproduction as well as to optimize the fish population in view of the national park objectives. The project focuses on the brown trout. An involvement of other fish species (e.g. grayling) could however happen in the course of the study.

Hairy feather grass and Siberian melic
The dry grassland and forest steppes are habitats of the National Park Thayatal that are subject to very limited anthropogenic influence. Biodiversity is particularly high here and this is where the rarest species of fauna and flora can be found.
As part of an ecological vegetation study the dry grasslands were mapped and a maintenance plan was drawn up. The maintenance measures (removing shrubs, mowing) have been implemented by the national park administration for years.
Hairy feather grass (Stipa dasyphylla) and the Siberian melic (Melica altissima) are among the curiosities where a unique occurrence in Austria was reported in the Thayatal. These populations are fenced in and under constant monitoring. The objectives of the set measures are to safeguard the populations and promote the dissemination of both grass species.