New boardwalk aims to protect Gerzkopf moor

The Austrian Federal Forests are building a wooden boardwalk through the moorland on the Gerzkopf mountain to reduce damage caused by hikers, ORF reports. The structure is being built at an altitude of 1,700 metres between Filzmoos and St Martin am Tennengebirge in the Pongau region of Salzburg.

Existing hiking routes in alpine areas sometimes run directly through moorland. Even when hikers walk around wet areas, their footsteps can damage the sensitive habitat. The new boardwalk is being built in sections on behalf of the Province of Salzburg.

“We want to prevent the moors from losing water,” project manager Palmira Deißenberger said. Foot traffic can cause drainage, she said, and the boardwalk is intended to prevent this. Moorlands cover three percent of the world’s land surface but store more carbon dioxide than the entire forest area, according to Deißenberger.

The moor on the Gerzkopf formed over many thousands of years. Intact moors have become rare and are among Europe’s most valuable ecosystems. When they remain wet, carbon stays in the soil. If they dry out or are destroyed, carbon dioxide is released.

The Austrian Federal Forests are currently working on more than 50 moor protection projects across Austria. The Gerzkopf project is being financed through donations from customers of Statistics Austria, who were offered vouchers after taking part in a survey and could donate the contribution to nature conservation projects.

The boardwalk is expected to be completed by the end of August, at an estimated cost of around 25,000 euros. The Federal Forests, which own the land, want people to experience the landscape without damaging the moor.

The Province of Salzburg commissioned a trail plan to assess the condition of the moors and the impact of hiking routes on them. The findings showed that some areas are being affected and that measures are needed to protect the moorland habitat.