As part of a joint project between the Austrian Federal Forestry Office and the University of Vienna, the Große Langmoos, the Torfmoos and the Moosklausalm have been revitalised. The aim was to restore the natural water balance of the moors, which had been disrupted by previous drainage measures.
Wood pellets and sheet piling to prevent drying out
To enable bogs to fulfil their vital role as water and carbon reservoirs, they must remain permanently wet. For this reason, a total of 420 metres of sheet piling was installed in the three bogs to slow down water drainage. In addition, a drainage ditch in the Großes Langmoos was filled with around 25 tonnes of wood pellets. These measures ensure that water is retained in the bog for longer, allowing typical bog habitats to re-establish themselves.
The Federal Forest Service will monitor the development of the areas scientifically in future and measure water levels regularly. This will enable us to assess how successful the restoration measures are in the long term.
A boon for the climate, biodiversity and the region
The importance of moors extends far beyond their immediate habitat. Although moors cover only a small proportion of the world’s land area, they store enormous amounts of carbon and thus make a significant contribution to climate protection. At the same time, they are biodiversity hotspots and provide a refuge for numerous specialised species.
Austrian Federal Forests manages more than 2,000 hectares of moorland and has already implemented over 50 moorland conservation projects. The work now completed in the Salzkammergut demonstrates how scientific findings and practical conservation work can successfully complement one another. In addition, information boards have been installed on site and a podcast project launched to raise awareness of the importance of moors.
#schongenial, because restoring moors simultaneously protects the climate, promotes biodiversity and secures natural water reservoirs for future generations.
