Handbook of the FFH Habitat Types of Austria.

Annex I to Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive) lists 198 natural habitat types, 65 of which are given priority status. Habitat types are considered to be a priority if they are threatened with disappearance on the territory of the European Union. For the habitat types listed in Annex I, but also for species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, special areas of conservation are to be designated, which are to span a coherent ecological network across the territory of the European Union. This network of protected areas is called Natura 2000.