-Daniela-Zimmermann,-LK-NÖ-bea.jpg/jcr:content/IMG_20260619_124143%20(c)%20Daniela%20Zimmermann,%20LK%20N%C3%96%20bea1.jpg "Mehrere Teilnehmende stehen am Ufer eines Teiches und halten große Fischmodelle in den Händen.")
Several participants stand on the bank of a pond, holding large fish models in their hands.
As part of a field trip organized by KLAR! Waldviertel North and the Lower Austrian Pond Owners’ Association, the extraordinary biodiversity of the Waldviertel carp ponds took center stage on June 19, 2026. At Bruneiteich in Heidenreichstein, around 30 participants gained insights into current research findings on aquatic ecology, flora, waterfowl, and sustainable pond management.
The Hidden Diversity of the Carp Pond
Mag. Dr. Christian Bauer (BAW Head of the Waldviertel Ecological Station) presented the importance of algae and microorganisms as the foundation of the food web and for the ecological function of the ponds. He also explained the contribution of valuable omega-3 fatty acids to the quality of Waldviertel carp and presented current research findings on the effects of climate change on pond ecosystems.
Rare Plants Need Management
Andreas Prenner, BSc (Nature Conservation Association of Lower Austria) explained the importance of ponds for rare and protected plant species. Many specialized species (e.g., dwarf rushes and mud-loving plants) depend on traditional management practices involving regular fishing and periodic draining, which preserve their habitats and prevent them from being displaced by more competitive plants.
An Important Habitat for Waterfowl
Benjamin Watzl, M.Sc., explained the outstanding importance of the Waldviertel pond landscape for birdlife. The carp ponds are among the most important bird areas in Austria and provide food, shelter, and suitable nesting sites for numerous breeding, stopover, and migratory bird species.
Internaional Recognition for the Waldviertel Carp Pond System
Leo Kirchmaier (specialist advisor at the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture and managing director of the Lower Austrian Pond Farmers’ Association) presented the FAO’s international recognition of the Waldviertel carp pond system as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). The designation honors the interplay of sustainable food production, water management, high biodiversity, and centuries-old regional knowledge.
The field trip demonstrated that the high biodiversity of the Waldviertel pond landscape is the result of active and sustainable management. The collaboration between research, nature conservation, and pond farming plays a vital role in the long-term preservation of this unique cultural landscape.