Convincing people who the unchecked bark beetle just isn’t destroying the forests within the core zone just isn’t a straightforward process, says the long-time nationwide park worker. One other trigger for concern was the choice to not restore broken forest roads following storms in 2002, however to make them impassable for good. At present, you’ll be able to see for your self: the excavators that had been introduced in to cowl a size of 400 to 500 meters did an awesome job.
It is laborious to consider that vehicles used to have the ability to drive via this impassable terrain, the place bushes and small spruces make it tough to get round. The renaturation of the opposite sections of the forest roads can also be nicely underway. “It is thrilling to see how rapidly nature is reclaiming these areas,” says Fuxjäger. Droppings and traces of hooves and paws present who’s on the transfer as we speak. “Animals additionally love to maneuver rapidly and comfortably,” grins Sieghartsleitner.
In different places, pure streams have been restored. Greater than 10,000 animal, plant and fungal species reside within the nationwide park’s “habitat mosaic” of round 30 forest sorts. Consciousness that this gene pool is a vital think regarding securing future biodiversity has additionally grown in politics. The “Biodiversity Technique Austria 2030+”, which serves to implement worldwide tips, lists ten factors that every one sound nice. They vary from radically decreasing land use and fragmentation to restoring vital ecosystems. So why has Austria’s approval of the EU Renaturation Act prompted a lot political pleasure?
“The query is all the time: to what extent does this occur with incentives or with strain? The concern of strain on particular person landowners or customers is big,” analyses Josef Forstinger. “This requires an intensive dialogue and persuasion course of as a way to formulate the suitable targets and measures for Austria.” Does the present technology of politicians lack the braveness of their predecessors, who did a useful job for nature by establishing the nationwide park? “Politicians have confirmed that they’re able to making daring choices even at very quick discover.” He’s due to this fact not giving up hope that “daring renaturation steps” will nonetheless be doable, says the nationwide park director. “Sadly, we’re at present in a pre-election marketing campaign part the place such choices are to not be anticipated.”