The pre-alpine “Buckelwiesen” are one of the most species-rich types of calcareous dry meadows in Europe, characterized by a pronounced pit and mound relief. Their formation is likely attributed to two key factors: lime and water. Although the precise details are not yet fully resolved, it is believed that intense lime dissolution weathering was responsible for the formation of the pits (or more accurately, the mounds). This weathering was probably triggered by a combination of windthrow events, high precipitation, and frost action. As a result, hummocky meadows are largely restricted to the rain-rich northern Calcareous Alps in Europe. Human activity has cleared the forested hummocky areas and shifted them to extensive use. Traditionally, the nutrient-poor hummocky meadows were mown only once a year for hay, a practice that continues to this day. However, due to changes in land use, up to 95% of the meadows have been lost. “Buckelwiesen” have been leveled and fertilized, or their use has been entirely discontinued due to their nutrient-poor and difficult-to-manage nature.

Despite these significant losses, the project area still contains 500 hectares of well-networked “Buckelwiesen”. Most of these meadows are now part of the Natura 2000 network and are mainly managed through conservation contracts. Without the strong local attachment to their heritage, the traditional annual “Wiesmahd” (meadow mowing) and the extent of the “Buckelwiesen” might not have been preserved.

The outstanding biodiversity of the “Buckelwiesen” is largely due to the habitat heterogeneity created by the hummocks. The small-scale juxtaposition of dry and wet habitats has resulted in a high diversity of vegetation types, each supporting a variety of animal species. The dominant vegetation type in the hummocky meadows is the pre-alpine calcareous dry meadow of the Carlino-Caricetum sempervirentis. Additionally, there are small-scale overlaps with other vegetation types such as broom grass meadows (Violion), golden oat meadows (Polygono-Trisetion), moor-grass meadows (Molinion caeruleae), and both fen and intermediate moors (Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae) as well as raised bogs (Oxycocco-Sphagnetea). In the alpine foothills, besides lowland species, alpine species from bluegrass meadows (Seslerion albicantis) and snow heath pine forests (Erico-Pinion sylvestris) also play a significant role in the “Buckelwiesen”. The large size, good connectivity, and consistent extensive use have contributed to the development of a unique biodiversity.