This is a list ofecoregions in Austria as defined by theWorld Wildlife Fund and the Freshwater Ecoregions of the World database.
Austria is made up of fourterrestrial ecoregions and twofreshwater ecoregions. Austria's ecology is largely influenced by theAlps and the water which flows from them. The central western part of Austria is home to these mountains, and the eastern and northern portions of the nation are less extreme in their elevations. The country is home to diverse terrestrial and marine fauna. These ecoregions are descriptions of the areas in their natural state; many are home to farms and urban populations.
Austria is part of thePalearctic realm, one of the eightbiogeographic realms that cover the Earth's land surface. ByKöppen climate classification, the flatter parts of eastern Austria has a warm temperate humid climate (Cfb), the west and central foothills have a humid snow climate (Dfb), and the mountainous areas are classified as subarctic (Dfc), tundra (ET), or ice-cap (EF).[1] The following are the four terrestrial ecoregions of Austria:
The cold and high elevationAlps conifer and mixed forests (PA0501) ecoregion which makes up most of western Austria is made of deep valleys covered withoak trees; an outer mountainous area withbeech,fir,spruce, andpine; and an interior withlarch and pine trees. It is a biodiverse region with many vascular plants, large and small mammals, birds, andherptiles.[2]
Much of north Austria belongs to theWestern European broadleaf forests (PA0445) ecoregion. This region is defined by its hilly lands and beech forests. Various animals includingwild boar,deer,wolf, and many types of birds live in this habitat.[4]
Austria has two freshwater ecoregions. Much of Austria's freshwater has its origins from theAlps.
Almost all of Austria lies within the UpperDanube (417) freshwater ecoregion, which is made of various rivers flowing through valleys and many lakes. The Danube, and hence water from this area drains to theBlack Sea. Within this ecoregion in Austria, there are manyalpine and subalpine lake, including Lake Attersee and Lake Traunsee. Many salmonid fish along with somepikes,sanders,aps, tenchs, andcatfish are native to this region.Carps have been introduced by humans.[6][7]
The far west of its panhandle belongs to the drainage basin of theRhine and a sliver of north central Austria belongs to that of theElbe are part of the Central and Western Europe (404) freshwater ecoregion. This area ultimately drains to theNorth Sea. Various species ofwhitefish can be found in this region, notably inLake Constance on Austria's western border.[8]Largest lakes of Austria
