Biotope mapping Gesäuse — Part report mapping area Finstergraben

The biotope mapping was carried out on a scale of 1:2,000 from a minimum biotope size of 100 m with a minimum biotope width of 5 m. As mapping units, the biotopes were according to the “Red List of Endangered Biotope Types of Austria” (ESSL et al. 2002, 2004 & in Vorb.; Traxler et al. 2005) used. The images were documented in a survey sheet based on the biotope mapping Salzburg (NOWOTNY & Hinterstoisser 1994) and managed in an MS Access database. Biotopes that could be assigned to an endangered biotope type and/or habitat type according to the Habitats Directive (FFH-LRT according to Directive 92/43/EEC) were additionally documented with a list of species. Furthermore, the biotopes were digitally separated from colour orthophotos. The extensive terrain surveys took place in 2006. The taxonomy depends on FISCHER et al. 2005, the syntaxonomy according to WILLNER & Grabherr 2007, Grabherr & MUCINA 1993 and MUCINA, Grabherr & Wallnöfer 1993, supplemented by WILLNER 2001. Ellmauer was used to address the FFH habitats in 2005. In the Finstergraben study area, 25 biotopes were mapped, which were detected on 55 individual areas (increased number of individual areas due to vegetation mosaic on dolomite rocks). Biotopes, which are only partially within the study area, have been mapped out flat. As a result, the total mapping area increased by more than 40 % from 6.11 ha to 8.64 ha. The surface sizes of the individual biotopes range from 12 m (layer bushes in mosaic with crevices and bands) to just under 1 ha (beech-tap spruce forest at the western trench exit).