Founded by the Federal States of Lower Austria and Vienna
51 communities in Lower Austria and seven municipal districts in Vienna
covers an area of 105,645 hectares Region
Some 815,000 people live in this region
Main traffic routes: West Highway A1 from ‘Wien-Auhof’ to ‘Altlengbach’ Highway A21 from ‘Brunn am Gebirge’ to ‘Knoten Steinhäusl’
Public transportation: West Railway from ‘Wien Westbahnhof’ to ‘Neulengbach’ (east-west bound) Baden Railway from ‘Vienna Opera’ to ‘Baden’ (south-bound)

The BR Wienerwald

The Wienerwald was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 2005 by UNESCO. This standing protects the great variety of natural and cultural elements that make this region so unique and valuable. The Wienerwald BR covers an area of 105,645 hectares and extends across 51 communities in Lower Austria and seven municipal districts in Vienna. Some 815,000 people live in this region

communities in Lower Austria and municipal districts in Vienna

The uniqueness of this region is characterised by the diversity of nature, culture and sustainable management on the margins of the city of Vienna – the only biosphere reserve in Europe part of which is located in a megacity with millions of inhabitants. Apart from the city of Vienna and concomitant suburbanisation, the region is characterised by a few small towns with more than 20,000 inhabitants and numerous small villages. It should be noted that 60% of communities have less than 5,000 inhabitants. Mödling and Klosterneuburg each have more than 20,000 inhabitants.

Wir sind der Biosphärenpark, Gruppenfoto

more than 20 types of woodland and more than 17 types of meadow
more than 2,000 plant species
150 species of breeding birds
15 Nature Reserves
4 National Parks

Region

The Wienerwald is the largest contiguous deciduous beech woodland in Central Europe. The location of such a large expanse of woodland on the edge of a big city is unique. The range of climatic and geological conditions in the Wienerwald is the reason for the great diversity of vegetation types. The Biosphere Reserve has more than 20 types of woodland – with beech, oak and hornbeam dominating – and more than 17 types of meadow. There are more than 2,000 plant species and approx. 150 species of breeding birds in the Wienerwald. The sun-blessed slopes of the Wienerwald in this open cultural landscape are characterised by viticulture. This landscape is rich in structures such as fruit trees, hedges and stone walls providing habitats for numerous interesting and endangered animals and plants. The Wienerwald BR harbours four National Parks, 15 Nature Reserves (including the Core zones) and 145 areas that are scheduled Natural Monuments. Vast tracts of the region are designated as protected landscapes and Natura2000 conservation areas (81% of the Wienerwald BR area, i.e. 849 km²).

BR Concept

BRs are ecosystems, recognized on the basis of uniform, internationally agreed criteria, where models of sustainable use of the biosphere are being developed, tested and implemented. Together with local partners and authorities, the states of Lower Austria and Vienna develope a model region for sustainability to address the challenges of the 21st century. Present and future generations can benefit from.

Details zones