Nsg Winterberger - Orketalsystem

Summary

The Winterberger - Orketalsystem protects a beautiful valley with diverse grasslands, rare forests, and the Orke river. It's a vital habitat for Kingfishers, Red Kites, Whinchats, and endangered plants, forming a key regional biotop.

Description

The Winterberger - Orketalsystem nature reserve safeguards an extensive, exceptionally beautiful low mountain range valley, encompassing the Orke river and its diverse surroundings. This area is vital for its rich array of wet, moist, and nutrient-poor grasslands, as well as rare, natural forest communities like gorge and slope mixed forests, alder-ash forests, and wood-rush beech forests. It provides crucial habitats for numerous nationally endangered plant and animal species. Key protected inhabitants include the Kingfisher, Red Kite, Black Woodpecker, Grey Woodpecker, Tawny Owl, and various meadow birds like the Whinchat, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, and Great Grey Shrike. The reserve also protects juniper heaths, mountain hay meadows, siliceous scree slopes, and flowing waters with their unique underwater vegetation. This system plays a crucial role in the regional biotop network and is part of the European Natura 2000 network, ensuring the preservation of its ecological integrity and outstanding natural beauty.