Lower Lobau's condition alarming, say conservationists

The Lower Lobau, a protected nature reserve in Vienna, is suffering immensely from ongoing drought and heatwaves, according to conservationists. Michael Stelzhammer of the WWF described the area's condition as "extremely bad" during a site inspection, emphasizing the severe impact of the dry conditions.

The WWF is urging immediate action, specifically calling for water to be diverted from the Danube River into the Lower Lobau. They also advocate for the area to be officially registered in the national water body renaturation atlas, highlighting the need for formal recognition and protection measures.

However, the city of Vienna is adopting a more cautious approach, linking further measures to the results of a forthcoming groundwater flow model. This model is expected to provide crucial data for understanding the hydrological dynamics of the region and planning effective, long-term interventions.

The situation underscores the vulnerability of urban nature reserves to climate change impacts, particularly prolonged periods of high temperatures and lack of rainfall. The differing paces of action between conservation groups and city authorities highlight the complex challenges in balancing immediate needs with data-driven planning for environmental protection.

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The protected area is doing "extremely badly".