Mussen (Carinthia)
The Mussen or Auf der Mussen is an alpine pasture area in the Carinthian Lesach Valley west of the Gailbergsattel . The area has been a nature reserve since 1978 .
Due to human influence, the Mussenstock became the number one flower mountain in Carinthia: some time ago the easternmost cornerstone of the Lienz Dolomites was wooded up to the summit. As a result of the removal of the trees, alpine meadows were generated, which provided the basis for regional livestock farming. This measure, as well as consistent management, formed the prerequisite for the emergence of a biodiversity and resulted in a biodiversity of the now existing alpine flora. The deforestation also caused a reduction in the soil water balance. Very special plant communities developed through warmth and dry soil.
Below the alpine pasture area there is a high-montane beech forest, which turns into larch forest upwards. This forms the tree line at about 1500 m above sea level, which is artificially shifted downwards. The lower part of the mussels is dominated by hay meadows, the upper part by gold fescue lawn and blue grass slopes . The biodiversity of the meadows, which was recognized by Gustav Adolf Zwanziger as early as 1867, is remarkable . In addition to numerous types of orchid, the Turkish league and fire lily as well as the paradise lily can be found here . The latter has its northern limit of distribution here. The mountain lizard and the adder are quite common among animals . But also over 100 spiders, including one of the rarest species in Central Europe. Furthermore, harvestmen who have their highest occurrence worldwide on the Mussen. Evidence of more than a thousand animal species was also provided, including 670 different butterflies alone, as well as one newly discovered butterfly species.
The hay meadows were traditionally mowed once a year and were used to secure the fodder for the farmers in the Lesach Valley villages of St. Jakob, Strajach and Podlanig. Today the central part is mowed every two years in order to prevent encroachment.
Nature reserve
The Mussen has been under nature protection since 1978 (LGBl. No. 54/1978). The nature reserve covers 387 hectares and is entirely located in the municipality of Kötschach-Mauthen . In 1995 the area was also nominated as a Natura 2000 area.
supporting documents
- Helmut Hartl, Hans Sampl, Ralf Unkart: Carinthia's gems. National parks, nature reserves, landscape reserves, natural monuments . Kärntner Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft, Klagenfurt 1993, ISBN 3-85391-092-0 , p. 32.
Web links
Coordinates: 46 ° 42 ′ 44 ″ N , 12 ° 55 ′ 23 ″ E