Quellschutzwälder

Waterhead Protection Forests: In order to protect the sources of Vienna´s first and second spring water supply systems located in the karst layers in the Rax, Schneeberg and Hochschwab mountain areas, the City of Vienna´s Forestry Agency supervises the use and protection of three forests (Hirschwang-Stixenstein forest with 10,142 hectares, Naßwald forest with 7,993 hectares and Wildalpen forest with 14,258 hectares); only 40 % of these forests is used for commercial purposes, 28 % is protected forest area; the rest consists of mountain pastures or unusable land; the spring water has top priority. The main goal is to carry out reforestation activities which match natural processes as closely as possible; a minimal degree of development (roads) has been allowed allowing for better supervision of the forests; activities concerning the preservation and use of the area are carried out so as not to damage the forests (sometimes using mobile skyline cranes). Only a small area near the water source is fenced in.