A habitat for rare plants and animals

A special characteristic of the Lobau is the diversity of landscapes found here, such as the picturesque Old Danube side arms, hedgerow landscapes and dry gravel ridges. Its vegetational splendour makes the Lobau a paradise for botanists, amateur photographers, landscape painters, and simply people out on a walk. Among the 800 plant species that have been counted are also some rare species, such as Anteriorchis coriophora, a member of the orchid family. This plant species, which is already difficult to find in Europe, is surprisingly widespread in the Lobau.

The secret of this great variety of plants is to be found in the floods, of which there are many in the Lower Lobau area in summer. The muddy waters that flood the Lobau are loaded with nutrients, which provide an ideal breeding ground for the plants.

The variety of animals in the National Park is also remarkable: more than 5,000 species (such as mud turtles, grass snakes, kingfishers, hares and deer) attract observers, filmmakers and photographers alike. The patient and quiet onlooker will have ample opportunities to observe a great many animals. Only the beaver, which is a nocturnal animal, will be difficult to spot. But the traces it leaves are found almost everywhere: on gnawed, tapering logs near the waters. After being hunted down and wiped out for their pelts in the past century, beavers were finally settled back into the area some twenty years ago. With great success: as many as 200 beaver couples are romping around the Lobau today.

Safely through the “jungle”

A signposted network of paths guides the visitor through the Lobau. As you walk along the marked trails, you will learn more about our nature and understand the complexity of its interrelations. But please make sure you don’t walk ‘off the beaten track’! People who try to chart their own path may unintentionally cause great damage. They tread on tiny, little creatures that are sometimes so small that you can only make them out if you look at them through a magnifying glass. And remember that a walk off the track in the wetlands can lead you astray very easily. If you stay on the Upper Lobau trail with its 14 stops, you will get the most of this diversity of life on the edge of the forest, in ponds, in river side arms or on the dry gravel ridges. (Source: Municipal Department 49 – Forestry Office and Urban Agriculture)

Information & Contact:

Nationalpark Donau-Auen GmbH
Fadenbachstraße 17
A-2304 Orth an der Donau
Tel. +43 2212 3450
Fax +43 2212 3450-17

Forest administration Lobau
Dr. Anton Krabichler-Platz 3
A-2301 Groß Enzersdorf
Tel. +43 2249 2353

Forest administration Eckartsau
Schloss Eckartsau
A-2305 Eckartsau
Tel. +43 2214 2335-18
Fax +43 2214 2240-19