A new study by Austria’s Environment Agency has highlighted significant potential for expanding the country’s protected areas, with national parks set to grow by 111,000 hectares – equivalent to 1.3% of Austria’s total land area.

The findings, released in a statement on Tuesday, confirm that the expansion aligns with both the EU’s Renaturation Regulation and Austria’s “Biodiversity Strategy 2030+.”

“The Hotspots Study and the recommendations contained within it contribute to the implementation of the Austrian Biodiversity Strategy 2030+. With this, we now have a valuable basis to spatially prioritise conservation and protection measures for the threatened biological diversity,” said Helmut Gaugitsch, Head of the Biodiversity Department at the Environment Agency.

Currently, Austria’s six national parks cover around 2,391 square kilometres. Their main objectives include nature and species protection, education, research and recreation. The study, titled “Austrian Biodiversity Hotspots for Systematic Nature Conservation Planning,” was commissioned by the Ministry of Climate Protection.

Areas for Expansion

The study identifies areas with a high concentration of endangered species, such as the Vienna Basin, Marchfeld, the March and Danube wetlands, and Seewinkel. These regions are at the heart of the Donau-Auen and Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Parks. Other areas, including the Karawanken and Gailtaler Alps in the south, as well as the Rhine Valley and Lechtal in the west, also show significant potential for future conservation efforts. Experts also believe the flatlands of southern Burgenland and southern Styria could play an important role in expanding Austria’s protected areas.

The study not only proposes large-scale extensions but also underscores the importance of smaller, short-term measures. These could involve adjustments to mitigate the negative effects of intensive land use near national parks. Many of these projects are already in the planning stages. “Finally, potential corridor areas have also been identified. These could create a regional green infrastructure and help with the necessary connectivity of habitats,” the Environment Agency said.

Positive reactions

Conservation organisation World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has welcomed the findings. The WWF has long advocated for stronger protection of Austria’s natural areas and pointed out that currently, only up to 3% of Austria’s land is strictly protected – far below the EU’s target of 10% by 2030. “Austria has an urgent need for action,” said Georg Frank, Head of Landscape-based Conservation at WWF Austria. “Over 80% of species and habitat types protected under the EU’s Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive are in an unfavourable conservation status.”