Red alarm level: salt paints in Seewinkel threaten to disappear!

Red alarm level: salt paints in Seewinkel threaten to disappear!

in the north Burgenland Seewinkel, a unique natural area, threatens to decrease the salt paints. Biologist, who has been working there for 40 years, observes that between 10 and 15 varnishes, including the long varnish, have already disappeared. This phenomenon is associated with falling groundwater levels, which are decisive for the natural stability of these ecosystems. According to Kurier , the main cause of drying out these areas is not only the climate change, but also human influences.

The decline in groundwater levels is more serious than ever. "Sodalacken need regular contact with the groundwater to maintain a natural salt accumulation cycle," explains the biologist. If the distance between the lacquer floor and the groundwater becomes too large, there is a risk of desalination and silting up. In 2021, an attempt was made in Apetlon to save the Moschado paints with additional salt enrichment, which failed. Agriculture with around 5,000 field fountains in the region also plays a leading role in this dramatic process. Here, the irrigation of cultures such as corn and potatoes resources that urgently need.

a challenge for the National Park

The salt paints in the Neusiedler See - Seewinkel National Park have to fight not only with natural, but also with human challenges. The Court Report of 2020 recommended that the state of Burgenland create a groundwater management plan. A follow-up shows that some studies and projects have been commissioned to keep the groundwater level stable. Nevertheless, the implementation remains slow. A lack of devices for measuring the actual water withdrawals make a precise assessment of the situation almost impossible. The Court of Auditors therefore urgently demands extensive measures and controls to counteract the impending dying of the paints.

not only in Austria, but also in Germany, waters feel the effects of climate change, such as a study on Oekom . Renaturation and water protection are essential here to preserve nature. The heat summer has also led to drought and low water levels in this country, which play a role in both rural and urban areas.

measures to save the salt paints

EU funding as part of the “Life Pannonic Salt” project over 12 million euros aims to rehabilitate the endangered salt paints through various measures. 15 military systems to stabilize the groundwater level and future-oriented water management scenarios are to be developed. The renaturation is intended to improve the water balance, which could also benefit agriculture in the long term.

Private initiatives, such as the St. Martins Therme & Lodge in Frauenkirchen, try to restore the lost paints with excess thermal water. "But it is uncertain whether the contact with the groundwater can ever be restored," said biologist Elke Schmelzer. The current care and management methods only allow limited adjustments and are often too rigid to respond to the dynamic changes in the environment.

in the Seewinkel is therefore not only reflected in the influence of climate change, but also the idea of ​​how important it is to ensure sustainable management and care of nature, so that future generations can also benefit from the beauty of this region.