Brader et al. Atlas of Breeding Birds in Upper Austria.

Title

Atlas der Brutvögel Oberösterreichs (Atlas of Breeding Birds in Upper Austria)

Author

Brader, Martin; Aubrecht, Gerhard; Billinger, Karl; Essl, Franz; Forstinger, Gerhard; Hable, Heinrich; Haslinger, Gernot; Hemetsberger, Josef; Hochrathner, Peter; Jiresch, Winfried; Plass, Jürgen; Pühringer, Norbert; Reichholf-Riehm, Helgard; Rubenser, Herbert; Schmalzer, Alois; Schuster, Alexander; Stadler, Susanne; Steiner, Helmut; Strauch, Michael; Uhl, Hans; Weigl, Stefan; Weißmayr, Werner; Wiesinger, Udo Bernd

Series

Denisia 7; Kataloge der Oberösterreichischen Landesmuseen (Catalogues of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museums), Neue Folge Nr. 194

Introduction

Loupal, Gerhard

Year

2003

ISBN

3854740980 (paperback)

ISSN

16088700

Illustrations

Limberger, Josef; Pühringer, Norbert (color photographs, color maps)

Table of Contents

Inhalt

Bibliography

Bibliography at the end of each chapter and at the end of the book

Index

Index of German and scientific names of the birds

Pages

543

Categories

atlas, breeding, birds, Upper Austria, Austria, biology

Language

German (de); Summary in German (de) and English (en); Bird names in German (de), Latin (la), English (en), and Czech (cz)

Summary from the Book

The project "Atlas of Breeding Birds in Upper Austria" was initiated by the Ornithological Working Group at the Museum of Upper Austria and supported by the Biology Centre/Museums of Upper Austria, Naturkundliche Station Linz [Linz Biological Station], BirdLife Austria/Landesgruppe Upper Austria, WWW Upper Austria and Naturschutzbund [Wildlife Conservation Society of] Upper Austria. The study was carried out between 1997 and 2001. A total of 284,908 records, 211,412 of which are relevant for breeding birds, were collected and entered into the database ZOBODAT. This digital data is now available at the Biology Centre. Between 208 and 331 field ornithologists have taken part annually in obtaining the data. The aim of the study was to gain information on the distribution of all breeding birds within the area of Upper Austria. The data collected followed methodically the international EOAC-code for atlas studies. The data was not collected according to a statistical sample procedure but quantitative information was gathered for selected species.

During the study period a total of 11 possible and 174 certain breeding species were recorded in Upper Austria. Distribution maps, grid frequencies and altitudinal distribution are given for each species. The caption of each species contains also further information on the historical and recent distribution pattern, population numbers, threat status (red list) and possible protection measures. Additionally, numbers of other Austrian and European breeding populations and their conservation categories are listed for comparison.

According to the species-area relationship, 174 recorded species surpass the expected mean value of 153 species. Therefore Upper Austria can be classified as a species rich region above average. The Upper Austrian species richness is underlined by the relation of Non-Passeriformes to Passeriformes of 1.0.

Data collecting in the field was based on a grid-unit of one geographical minute (2.3 km²). The subsequent documentation uses grids of 5x3 geographical minutes (34.2 km²) for the distribution maps. The area of Upper Austria comprises 5562 one minute grids incl. all grids along the border and 410 5x3 minute grids. At least 36 breeding bird species were recorded for all of theses 5x3 minute grids which are not affected by borders. The expected mean value of 68 species was surpassed in 38 percent of the grids. The average is 62.7 species per grid, the maximum 116 species.

Special chapters deal with the geology, climate, landscape structure, vegetation and the history of ornithology in Upper Austria. Applied methods are documented and critically discussed. Special attention is given to regional distributions within the study area. The Upper Austrian data is discussed in a wider scope comparing available data of neighbouring countries.

The main captions on Upper Austrian breeding birds are followed by an intensive documentation of nowadays extinct and vanished species as well as sporadic breeding of additional bird species.

Special chapters refer to bird protection and nature conservation evaluating specially the different forms of land-use in man-made landscapes, forests and wetlands which influence the status and population trends of breeding birds.

Where to order

• Biology Center of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museums
  J.-W.-Klein-Str. 73
  4040 Linz
  Austria
• http://www.biologiezentrum.at/biowww/en/biblio/index.html
• bio.buch@landesmuseum-linz.ac.at