The Hell

Summary At the east coast of Lake Neusiedl, between Podersdorf am See in the north and Illmitz in the south, there is an area called Hölle. Saltwater pools, marsh areas which are overflown in the springtime, reed zones and sandy spaces are characteristic landscape components in that part of the National Park Neusiedler See Seewinkel. Due to its diversified landscape the Hölle is an important habitat for different kinds of water birds such as the Avocet, the Black-tailed Godwit or the Black-winged Stilt. On the salty parts of the Hölle there grow different kinds of halophytes which are otherwise characteristic for having their habitat at seashores. Protected landscape components and intense agriculturally usead areas are directly linked to each other. This fact Entails a permanent nutrient input into protected areas and advances the growth of reed which spreads around and endangers the saltwater pools by becoming overgrown. The sinking groundwater level and drainage trenches threaten the saltwater pools as well.