Nationalpark Kalkalpen. 02/02/04; OberÖsterreich; 18,532 ha; 47°35'N 014°25'E; Important Bird Area; Natura 2000 site; National Park. Part of the northern limestone alps, the greatest part of the site is karstified and has a tight network of gorges and canyons, a total of 470 km of natural, pure brooks and some 800 springs which represent hotspots of biodiversity. More than 300 different species of fauna have been described in these springs and among them, new ones such as the molluscs Belgrandiella aulaei and Bythiospeun nocki (family Hydrobiidae). The area, the largest forested reserve in Austria, presents the rare forest associations Alnion glutinoso-incanae, Tilio-Acerion and Cephalanthero-Fagion, hosts the brown bear (Ursus arctos) and the lynx (Lynx lynx), and is an important place for birds (22 listed in the European Birds Directive), autochthonous stocks of brown trout (Salmo trutta), amphibians and insects. Although forestry activities have influenced the area, since 1997 it is under a strict management plan which prohibits any economic use. The National Park administration runs a water analysis laboratory and has developed a karst research programme including the monitoring of springs and meteorology. Ramsar site no. 1371. Most recent RIS information: 2003.