LTSER Platform Neusiedler See - Seewinkel - Austria
Basic Information
Site Name
LTSER Platform Neusiedler See - Seewinkel
Short name
NeusiedlerSee_Seewinkel
Country
Austria
Web Address
Site Manager
Keywords
intemittent wetland
soda lake
soda pan
Site Description
Institutional Structure:
The LTSER Neusiedler See Seewinkel is located at the "Biological Station Lake Neusiedl" in Illmitz. Illmitz is situated at Lake Neusiedl in the easternmost province of Austria. It is a service department of the Office of the Provincial Government of the Burgenland and is part of Department 5-Site Law, Environment and Traffic, Main Division Nature and Environmental Protection. The institute is based upon 40 years of experience and today fulfils essential tasks for the entire province of Burgenland and in addition to that for the entire Pannonian Region (Western Slovakia and Western Hungary: Water analyses, rendering of expert opinions, applied cross-sectorial research and natural landscape and national park management.
Scope of duties
Pursuant to legislation on water, on sanitation in public baths and food laws, the accredited assessment and inspection office, the Biological Station, regularly takes samples in technical installations (before all waterworks, public baths, etc.) and food respectively and writes subject-specific expert opinions in accordance with the laboratory findings of the samples taken. Thus the accredited pure water laboratory provides the legally requested chemical and microbiological tests of drinking waters, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, swimming lakes, ponds, wells/fountains and whirlpool facilities. More than 5000 samples are tested per year. Special focus is placed upon the water quality of Lake Neusiedl; in particular the lake-side swimming areas are inspected continuously.
Furthermore, the Biological Station fulfils the legally provided expert and surveying function in the field of nature conservation. Pursuant to nature conservation law, many changes in land use are subject to approval (e.g. buildings in grassland, hydro-engineering measures, crop changes in landscape protection areas) or nature conservationist expert opinions have to be rendered (e.g. re-zoning, amendments of laws). In practice this means that the person applying for the approval has to submit an application together with the respective project documents to the competent authority. The Biological Station Lake Neusiedl will then render a nature conservationist opinion. Thus the Biological Station provides bases for decision making with regard to the development of a balanced cultural landscape considering the nature protectionist frame conditions.
Contact
Dirctor: Mag. Dr. Thomas Zechmeister
Biological Station Lake Neusiedl, 7142 Illmitz, AUSTRIA
Tel 0043 57 600 5429
Fax 0043 57 600 5410
Mobile 0043 664 96 36 704
thomas.zechmeister@bgld.gv.at
Last modified
2020-06-29 10:06:43
General Characteristics, Purpose, History
Site Status
Operational
Year Established
2010
Purpose
The Biological Station provides basic survey and research work for the preservation of protection areas of the Burgenland and in particular for the national park. These are often required with regard to the EU as part of the duty to report in nature conservation. The surveys have been performed in many years of cooperation with universities in Austria and the German-speaking and Hungarian region. This exchange on a university level leads to an inter-cultural exchange and a transfer of know-how.
Objectives and vision:
The objective of the station is to encourage international exchange during the following years and grow into a competence centre for the Pannonian region with regard to protection of resources (drinking, ground, surface, lake water as well as natural landscape areas and habitats) and the management required for that.
Staff:
The Biological Station has 19 staff members under the leadership of Dr. Zechmeister.
Key persons:
Dr. Thomas Zechmeister (chemist, biochemist): analyses, protein chemistry, environmental toxicology, insects, entomology (Lepidoptera), expert; director
Dr. Erwin Johann Köllner (biology, botanist): vegetation ecology, neophytes, Natura2000, conservation area management, expert,
Dr. Alfred Grüll (biology, zoology): ornithology, herpetology, Natura 2000, conservation area management, expert
DI Josef Füszi: food expert, regulations, laws, accredited laboratory
Ing. Peter Gisch: quality management, accredited laboratory
Location:
Transitional area Lake Neusiedl – area adjacent to the lake – cultural landscape. The station can be reached from Illmitz via a street that is 2 km long and has direct access to the lake via a canal.
Infrastructure of the Biological Station:
The Biological Station offers:
• Limnological laboratory
• Chemical laboratory
• Accredited laboratory area
• Comprehensive and up-to-date library on limnology, ornithology, botany, local history and geography of the Pannonian region; map collection
• Herbarium with 27,000 exhibits
• Microscopy and research area for 20 persons
• Lecture room for 80 persons
• Meeting room for 10 persons
• Accommodation + sanitary facilities for 4 persons
• Kitchenette and recreation room
• Several motor boats for Lake Neusiedl
• Off-road vehicle (SUV)
Competence areas (list) for a know-how transfer:
Water analyses
Accreditation as testing and inspection office by the Ministry of Economy
Services offered:
• Chemical analysis and microbiological tests of drinking water and bottled waters according to the provisions of the drinking water regulations
• Chemical analysis and microbiological tests of natural mineral waters according to the provisions of the mineral and spring water regulations
• Microbiological tests of medicinal waters according to the provisions of the Burgenland legislation on healing facilities and health resorts
• Testing of bathing water (swimming pool, whirlpool, whirl bath tubs, soaking tubs, etc.) according to the provisions of bath sanitation regulations
• Testing of swimming waters and small swimming ponds according to the provisions of bath sanitation regulations and the regulations on swimming waters
• Testing of ground water ponds (fish ponds, landscape ponds, etc.) according to the parameters prescribed in the respective decisions on water rights
• Other ground water tests according to the requests of the respective clients placing the order
• Inspection of drinking water supply facilities according to the Austrian standard ÖNORM M 5874
Rendering of official expert opinions
• Stand-by emergency duties for accidents in case of a transport of hazardous goods
• Expert in proceedings in accordance with legislation on water rights
• Expert in proceedings in accordance with bath sanitation regulations
• Expert in proceedings in accordance with food safety and consumer protection laws
• Expert in proceedings in accordance with trade, commerce and industry regulation acts
• Expert in proceedings in accordance with the Burgenland nature conservation and landscape management law Provincial Law Gazette No 27/1994 in the applicable version – NG 1990
Scientific research with regard to nature and environment
• Coordination of scientific research in the National Park Lake Neusiedl - Seewinkel
• Grazing management in the National Park
• Ornithological management in the National Park
• Hunting management in the National Park
• Planning and Implementation of Natura2000 in Burgenland
• Limnological research and inspection of Lake Neusiedl and saline pools of the Seewinkel (chemical and bacteriological routine programme, biomass analysis, abundances of phytoplankton and zooplankton, fishery biological tests)
• Detection and management of epidemics such as avian botulism
• Collection and assessment of hygienically problematic cases such as Vibrio cholerae
• Environmental research focusing upon nature conservation and environmental protection, tourism, hunting, agriculture, fishery etc.
• Botanical research focusing upon compilations of inventories of the native flora, questions of nature conservation and landscape protection and of reed management.
• Ornithological research focusing upon compilations of inventories and monitoring of the breeding success of important Austrian breeding birds.
• Nature conservation and landscape protection: Detailed examination of practical problems and questions from a scientific point of view in order to work out comprehensive approaches to solving those problems.
Aimed at know-how transfer for the Biological Station:
• Management of terrestrial neophytes (goldenrod, black locust, tree of heaven, ragweed) in a cultural landscape and in conservation areas
• Sustainable use and management of reeds taking into account the nature tourist, economic and nature conservationist frame conditions
• Implementation of Natura2000 by involvement of local decision makers and of the population
• Implementation models for nature conservation and nature conservationist measures facing financial resources growing scarcer and scarcer
• Innovative methods for the maintenance of a positive water balance in the catchment area of Lake Neusiedl – irrigation systems, banking-up systems, dotations
• Elemental budget or elemental balances between reed areas and open water zones in shallow water lakes.
• Hygienic risks of shallow water lakes as well as changes in fauna and flora due to global warming – measures for prevention and detection
• Detection methods that can be automated for hygienically questionable germs from shallow water lakes – technological feasibility
• Prerequisites, frame conditions and experience with regard to the establishment of a competence centre for the conservation of resources in connection with water and hygiene research
Research Topics
Photos
Biological_Station__Neusiedlersee-2017_photo_KTeubner
Biological_Station__Neusiedlersee_reed_belt-2017_photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_water_quality_sensor-2017_photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel__soda_pan_2015_photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_Fuchslochlacke -2017_ photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_Fuchslochlacke -2018_ photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_-Lange_Lacke-2018_ photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee_Seewinkel_soda_pan_vegetation-2017_ photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel__vegetation-2013_ photo_KTeubner
Biological_Station__Neusiedlersee -bird survey_2017_ photo_KTeubner
Biological_Station__Neusiedlersee -bird ringing_2017_ photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel _National_Park-cattle_2018_ photo_KTeubner
not defined
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_reedbelt-2019_photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_Lange_Lacke-2019_photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_Lange_Lacke_Halophilic_Plants-2019_photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_Wetland_Graurinderkoppel-2019_photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_Graurinderkoppel-2019_photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_Fuchslochlacke_soda_pan-2019_photo_KTeubner
Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel_halophilic_plants-2019_photo_KTeubner
Geographic
Size
50000.00ha
Elevation (average)
120.00msl
Elevation (min)
113.00msl
Elevation (max)
126.00msl
Affiliation and Network Specific Information
Affiliation
ILTER✔This site is a verified "ILTER" member.
LTER Europe✔This site is a verified "LTER Europe" member.
LTER Austria✔ (LTER_EU_AT_028)This site is a verified "LTER Austria" member.
GEO-BON Biome
Fresh water lakes
Biome
Fresh Water Lakes
Ecosystem and Land Use
Biogeographical Region
Pannonian Bio-geographical Region
Air Temperature: Average Annual
10.30°C
Air Temperature Range (Monthly Minimum)
-1.20°C
Air Temperature Range (Monthly Maximum)
20.10°C
Precipitation Annual
595.00mm
Precipitation Maximum Monthly
69.00mm
Precipitation Minimum Monthly
33.00mm
Geology
Geographically, Burgenland is divided into three parts: the low-lying lands of Burgenland around Eisenstadt, Neusiedl (LTSER-Site) and Mattersburg to the north of the Ödenburg Mountains; the hilly region of central Burgenland near Oberpullendorf, between Ödenburg and Güns Mountains; and the hilly region near Oberwart and Güssing south of the Bernstein and Güns Mountains.Landscape: Burgenland´s geographical pattern is made up of the foothills of the Central Alps (Hundsheimer Berge Hills, Leithagebirge Mountains, the hilly region around Rust, Rosaliengebirge Mountains, Ödenburg Mountains, Landsee Hills, Bernstein Mountains, Güns Mountains); the outer edges of the Pannonian Lowlands (Heidboden and Parndorf Plain being deposits of the Old Danube and Leitha rivers in the north and the rivers Pinka and Lafnitz in the south); Lake Neusiedl and the Seewinkel area; Wulka Plain (the granary of Burgenland); Riedel landscapes (narrow ridges of land separating two parallel valleys) which establish a geomorphological link between the Alpine Vienna basin in the north, the Graz basin in the south and the Pannonian lowlands (extending from the hilly region of the Bucklige Welt to central Burgenland and from the hilly region of Eastern Styria to southern Burgenland). The Hainburg, Bruck and Wiener Neustadt gaps connect the region with the Vienna basin. Set amidst the flat steppe landscape of the Hungarian puszta, Lake Neusiedl and the Seewinkel area provide a haven for a large and outstanding variety of fauna, perhaps the most outstanding in Central Europe. Burgenland´s rich mineral resources are only exploited to a limited extent: limestone quarries on the fringes of the Leithagebirge Mountains and in the hilly region around Rust (especially near St. Margarethen); sub-bituminous coal deposits near Tauchen; chalk pits near Müllendorf; copper pyrites; antimony ores; sulphur pyrites; serpentine is commercially mined near Bernstein. Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Bad Sauerbrunn, Deutschkreutz and Sulz near Güssing are famous for their mineral springs and mineral water.
Vegetation
In Burgenland , the transition of the alpine mountain ranges towards the Little Hungarian Plain accomplished . The area east of Lake Neusiedl , the eastern parts of central and southern Burgenland and the valleys of the larger streams interpret with their flat landscapes to already recognize that begins with its vast steppe lowlands Eastern Europe. The Pannonian climate is far less of Atlantic or Mediterranean streams affected as the climate zones in western Austria . This leads to an eastward increasing continentality , with the result that the Burgenland is a relatively dry and very warm area. While there are in the mountainous regions of western Austria mostly over 2000mm of precipitation per year , the annual rainfall is in Burgenland less than 700 mm. The annual average temperature moves in Burgenland at 11.4 ° C. It is not surprising therefore , when alpine plant species already encountered in the Burgenland, but just Pannonian - Eastern European vegetation.
Soils
The structure of a soil profile is as follows: We can distinguish three generally soil layers , the A- , B- , and C- horizon. Most clearly distinguishes the topsoil ( humus ) by its accumulation of organic matter . The corresponding area is referred to as A- horizon or humus horizon. If a separate horizon formed by weathering or material storage, this is called the B horizon . The bedrock underlying the C- horizon. Mainly on the northern part of the Seewinkelterrasse store usually high steppe chernozems ( Tschernosem ) . Your starting material is loess or lößähnliches material in Seewinkel . Chernozems are a product of the steppe climate with warm dry summers. You generally lack the B- horizon, as it is too cold for the weathering in winter and dry in summer . On the almost black , humus-rich and highly friable A horizon immediately follows the C horizon formed by loess . Typical of the chernozem is the strong biological activity. The activities of Wühltieren the limit as A- horizon never remains stable since entering through the grave transitions humus material in the C horizon . These soils represent high-quality agricultural land Where the gravel surfaces are hollowed , step on wet black earth soils forming it according to Chernozems higher moisture. They have the characteristic black color is lost (called verbrauntem chernozem ) and are already showing signs of weathering. The good crumb structure and balanced water regime disappear , thus the fertility decline. Frequently one finds on the gravel corridors also Paratschernoseme from the lime-free loose material ( quicksand ) emerged and are particularly well suited as a vineyard sites. They are also characteristic of the Pandorfer plate in the north of the corner of the lake . The Paratschernsoemen most of which only up to 40cm thin drift sand blanket was fully humified in an A horizon. The soil is therefore a complete stranger C horizon ( bedrock ) on that has nothing to do with the origination of the soil. Paratschernoseme have a red-brown color and gave much lower structures may be causing the ground easily tolerated by the wind. Therefore windbreak belts are necessary appearing dominates the landscape in this area. Paratschernoseme stand in their agricultural value far below the chernozem and form dry , shallow cryptic sites. The fen landscape of Hansag , which continued in Hungary, was largely drained in through an extensive channel and grave system and by two pumping stations ( Tadten and Wallern ) in the Einserkanal and made usable for agriculture. Currently prevail in the core area of the Hansag , the precursor of the Neusiedler See , and even in the last century enormous swamp . Fallen dry fens vor.In low rainfall summers is the reed and Rohrkolbentorf , a conspicuous horizon of these fens , completely dry and highly flammable . For example, raged in August 1978 in the area of ??Wallern a moorland fire , the detected 30ha . The remaining space is occupied by saline soils , which are located mainly in the southern part of the corner of the lake and represent approximately 25 km2 Austria´s largest saline soil area . Only small deposits in the northern wine district in the March area and in the Vienna basin can be found outside the corner of the lake . This sodahältigen salt , locally Zickböden (Hungarian szik = soda ) , are mainly used in Seerandzone and in the gravel- free areas of the central corner of the lake and includes the so-called Solontschaken and networks to solo . The Solontschak occurs mainly where saline groundwater is present and high salt accumulation at the soil surface leads to the formation of white salt crusts. He is poor in organic matter , and only a few plant species settle on it. The enriched on the surface Solontschak salt, mainly soda ( sodium carbonate) , was turned away earlier and used for soap production. To compete in such a world is possible only matched specialists : salt cress, goosefoot , camphor herb samphire and Zickgras , a vegetation again which is otherwise niergendwo not be found in Western and Central Europe. The Solo network , however, has a low-salt A horizon , according to the more developed and richer types of vegetation of this soil is enriched with organic matter and light gray to brownish gray appears. During the Solontschak lacks a B horizon , the solo network has become a weathering horizon inden the humic substances from the A horizon Originating relocated . This B horizon thus gaining a deep dark color. The high organic content of this horizon leads to excessive shrinkage during drought , and subsequent formation of polyhedral ( polyhedral ) small columns , which are clearly visible in the profile. The heads of these columns are rounded like a cap on the border against the A horizon . Only below the B horizon wins the salinity of a higher degree . The existence of the network depends solo compared to Solontschak often together with a deeper groundwater level and thus with periodic desiccation. Externally let Solontschak and solonietz slightly different : Solontschak is a light, sandy soil with frequent salt efflorescence and dry without cracks, solonietz a heavy, clayey soil salt poorer without salt efflorescence , but with typical dry cracks. Transitional forms from one to the other soil type can be found , however, in many places. Finally, there is the sandy Unprocessed of Seedammes to mention having low age and provides an excellent environment for organisms with a dry warm claims. In the course of Weingarten use it evolves through profound shifts ground partly towards Tschernosemböden . So can the Seewinkel recognize an extraordinary variety of soil types that show a gradient with respect to extensiveness and Tschernosemhäufigkeit against the South , where saline soils and small -scale , mosaic-like interlocking floor surfaces predominate.
Hydrology
Burgenland drains towards the east to the Danube river system, its rivers and streams (Leitha, Wulka, Aubach, Rabnitz, Güns, Pinka, Lafnitz, Raab, Stoober Bach, Zöbernbach, Tauchenbach and Strembach) emptying into the River Danube. Located between the Central Alps and Pannonian Lowlands, Burgenland has a largely Pannonian climate. Lake Neusiedl, Burgenland, alt. 115 m, length 33.5 km, width 12 km and depth 1.8 m; area around 285 km2 (including reed belt), of which 220 km2 is on Austrian territory; strong evaporation causes a high level of salinity and has noticeable influence on the climate. Lake Neusiedl is the westernmost European steppe lake and the largest lake in Austria; situated between the small Hungarian plain, the Leithagebirge mountains (to the northwest), the Parndorfer Platte tableland (to the Northeast), the Rust range of hills (to the west) and the Seewinkel area (to the south) ( Lacken). A smaller swamp area is situated in the south, in the southeast the former Hanság swampland (Waasen), which was largely drained by the Einser-Kanal. Most important lines of occupation are wine cultivation, tourism, reed processing and fishing. The water level of Lake Neusiedl is mainly determined by the amount of precipitation; small streams such as the Wulka, Wolfsbrunn and Angerbach and subterranean inlets (especially from the eastern Seewinkel area) also flow into the lake. Canals lead to the lake from the villages of Weiden and Gols; the Einser-Kanal canal (Hungary) makes it possible to regulate and maintain the water level of the lake, which does not have any other outlet. The water level of Lake Neusiedl was subject to strong fluctuations in the past: in 1740, 1773, 1811-1813 and 1864-1870 the lake almost dried out completely, on the other hand it swelled to its largest size in 1741/42, 1786, 1797-1801, 1838 and 1941. Due to the quality of the water and its shallowness, Lake Neusiedl is very suitable for bathing. In terms of the nutrient contents of the water, the lake can be classified as meso-eutrophic. However, the nutrient contents have been decreasing because of the construction of sewage purification plants and sewer construction. Nonetheless, the input of substances from various other sources, such as agriculture are a cause of nutrient pollution. The reed belt, which has grown heavily since the beginning of the 20th century, covers an area of around 100 km2 on Austrian territory; it is widest on the west bank at Donnerskirchen (5 km) and smallest in the East near Podersdorf am See; the artificial passages through the reed belt are locally called "Schluichten". Reed is a source of income for the local population. Reed (used for the insulation of walls in houses) is cut in 10-15% of the reed belt; the reed belt is also a breeding ground and habitat for more than 250 bird species (especially waders and aquatic birds). Lake Neusiedl is also the habitat of more than 30 species of fish (especially eel, carp, zander and pike) which are partly released for economic purposes. The lake is a centre of tourism in the province of Burgenland. In 1999 75% of all tourist arrivals and more than two thirds of overnight stays in the entire province were registered in the lake region. The lake - also called "the Sea of the Viennese"- offers facilities for many kinds of sports (esp. water sports, cycle tracks). In the summer the Seefestspiele Mörbisch (operetta festival) takes place at Lake Neusiedl. - The conditions of the soil, the sunny Pannonian climate and the natural regulation of the temperature provide essential prerequisites for the cultivation of wine and wine cultivation has grown strongly since 1965 especially east of the lake. Today wine is cultivated almost everywhere to the east and west of the lake (wine-growing regions: Lake Neusiedl and Lake Neusiedl hills); quality white wines (Welschriesling, Müller-Thurgau and Weißburgunder) predominate, while red wines are also famous. Specialities of the region are very sweet top-quality wines, in particular from Illmitz and Rust. The so-called "wine roads" (Weinstraßen), where one wine-growing village follows another, are to the northwest and to the east of the lake. The most important towns and villages around the lake are Neusiedl am See (alt. 131 m), Jois (alt. 150 m), Breitenbrunn (alt. 136 m), Purbach am Neusiedlersee. (alt. 128 m), Donnerskirchen (alt. 193 m), Oggau am Neusiedler See (alt. 130 m), Rust (alt. 123 m), St. Margarethen im Burgenland (alt. 151 m) and Mörbisch am See (alt. 122 m) in the north and west, Apetlon (alt. 120 m), Illmitz (alt. 117 m), Podersdorf am See (alt. 121 m), Gols (130 m) and Weiden am See (alt. 124 m) in the east. The Burgenland Institute of Biological Research or "Biological Station Lake Neusiedl " (LTSER-Site) near Illmitz has conducted limnological and environmental research in the lake area since 1971. In 1993 the Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel National Park (comprising the south-eastern part of the lake and the shallow salt ponds "Lacken" in the eastern swampland) was opened together in cooperation with Hungary. This area (around 9,500 hectares on Austrian and 12,700 hectares on Hungarian territory) is divided into a strictly protected core zone and a conservation zone (the "Lacken") and a nature reserve.
Site Type (Spatial Design)
Platform
Design of Experimentation
partly experimentation
Scale of Experimentation
micro sites
Design of Observation
mainly observation
Scale of Observation
sub-catchment within catchment
Infrastructure
Accessible All Year
Yes
All parts of Site Accessible
Yes
Access Type
regular car
Permanent Power Supply
Yes
Permanent Operation
Yes
Site Visit Interval
1
Maintenance Interval
5
General Data Policy
Co-authorship on publications resulting from use of the dataset
Data Notes
Data Sets can be ordered by email or telefone call.
Data Storage Location
Central
Data Services
Other data service
LTER Site Classification
LTSER
There is EURO-CORDEX climate scenario data available for this site:
| Projected Near Surface Specific Humidity Change | RCP26 | RCP45 | RCP85 |
| Projected Precipitation Change | RCP26 | RCP45 | RCP85 |
| Projected Sea Level Pressure Change | RCP26 | RCP45 | RCP85 |
| Projected Surface Downwelling Shortwave Radiation | RCP26 | RCP45 | RCP85 |
| Projected Near-Surface Wind Speed | RCP26 | RCP45 | RCP85 |
| Projected Near-Surface Air Temperature | RCP26 | RCP45 | RCP85 |
| Projected Daily Maximum Near-Surface Air Temperature | RCP26 | RCP45 | RCP85 |
| Projected Daily Minimum Near-Surface Air Temperature | RCP26 | RCP45 | RCP85 |
You can also download the entire climate scenario dataset for this site from the EUDAT B2SHARE data store.