Hohe Tauern
The uniqueness of the Hohe Tauern National Park lies in its impressive veriety of choice. The difference in elevation from the deepest vally stream to the top of the Gross Glockner mountain peak adds up to almost 2600 metres. The natural history of the Hohe Tauern mountains is marked by catastrophic events such as the ice ages, and perpetual building, alteration and destruction by mother nature. Both plants and animals have constantly edapted over time to the high mountain region's extreme conditions, often living on the limits of existence itself. There hardly exists another region in Austria offering so many highlights, including the universe of little creatures making possible the great cycle of life in relative obscurity.
We all now the basics of plate tectonics and the formation of the Alps. The Hohe Tauern mountains are still rising today, although only by a little bit. At the same time there is steady erosion by wind, water and frost. Landslides are changing the environment as well. Rivulets dig deep canyons troughout the valleys. On places where the rock is too hard, waterfalls are formed on the edges of the terrain. There are completely developed habitats with an existing balance of nature and others in progress since the glacial period. The landscape is changing continuously along wit the animated life on it. Living spaces disappear and reemerge again and again.
The first signs of human presence go back to the Stone Age, when hunters found the mountains to be rich in deer during the summer months. Permanent settings did probably not develop until the Bronze Age. The search of copper, tin and iron brought men to the highest mountain regions and drove them to unbelievable achievements in manual mining. At the same time agriculture developed to provide for miners and their families. After the mines closed down, this became the most important trade for those living in the mountain valleys. Around the beginning of the 20th century a whole new branch of trade started when tourists began to discover the beauty of the mountains.
Well known animals to be found in the Hohe Tauern are: alpine Marmot (Marmota marmota), Alpine Snow Rabbit (Lepus timidus), Capricorn (Capra ibexbis), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Bearded Vulture (Gypatus barbatus), Common Raven (Corvus corax), Sparrow Owl (Glaussidium passerinum), Common Viper (Vipera berus).
Well known plants to be found are: Moss Campion (Silene acaulis), Glacial Crowfoot (Ranunculus glacialis), Glacial Manshield (Androsacae alpina), Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), Arnika (Arnika montana).
So you can see for yourself the region of the Hohe Tauern is one of extraordinary scenic and landscape beauty. It is refered to as a primary landscape, meaning it has never been affected byman in such a way that could make restoration necessary. On the contrary, large areas may have never been set foot at by man at all. Strong winters in some cases 'cause high risk of avalanches, making the Hohe Tauern inaccessible to all except for a few experienced mountaineers. But during summer, the national park opens itself for visitors- with all it's variety and beauty. The entire territory is breathtaking, but some highlights stand out in particular making a visit especially worhtwhile!
This text is owned by the official website from the National Park Hohe Tauern (visit www.hohetauern.at)!