Most of the lake is surrounded by
reeds, a habitat for wildlife (making the lake an important resting place for
migratory birds). Reeds are harvested in winter as soon as the ice is solid enough. This serves its ecology (removal of the bulk of organic matter that would otherwise decay in the lake) and the local economy (the reed is sold for various purposes, mostly related to construction and housing). During the summer months, there are occasional reed fires, as dry reed is easily flammable; these often spread quickly as it tends to be windy. Water quality is determined by temperature, wind, and by the amount of
salt and
mud emanating with the ground water from the
sediments. Several plans for dams and other intrusive construction works for economic growth/sustainable energy directly threatened its endemic biotopes (rather uniform and rare still, brackish water and temperate climate habitats for hundreds of species) were mooted during the first half of the 20th century. A drainage scheme to recover much land which would be reasonably fertile soil as well as intensive aquaculture had been finalized and approved in 1918. This was aborted when most of the lake became Austrian territory after World War I ended that year. In 1971 plans for a bridge across the Austrian part of the lake were thwarted by environmentalists. In 1993 the
National Park Neusiedler See-Seewinkel gained international acceptance as an IUCN Category II preserve. In 2001 the
national parks in Austria and
Fertő-Hanság in Hungary were together accepted as a
World Heritage Site. Lake Neusiedl See and its surrounding areas in Austria also enjoy protection through the
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Mammals Over 40 mammal species have been recorded from the area, including the
European ground squirrel, the
steppe polecat and the
European hamster.
Birds In the area over 300 bird species have been recorded with the earliest studies made by the Hungarian naturalist
István Fászl. Of these, around 150 breed, representing around 40% of the European and 80% of all Austrian bird species. The area contains one of the largest breeding populations of
great egrets, with up to 700 pairs. There are also around 35 pairs of
grey heron and 70 pairs of
great bustard. One of the best known bird species in the area is the
white stork, which is seen as a symbol of the region. Other species present include
Eurasian spoonbill,
purple heron,
eastern imperial eagle,
white-tailed eagle,
greylag goose,
golden oriole,
European bee-eater,
pied avocet,
ruff,
Kentish plover,
common tern,
common redshank,
black-tailed godwit,
Eurasian curlew,
western yellow wagtail,
short-eared owl,
Montagu's harrier,
bittern and many others which are of interest to local and visiting birdwatchers.
Fish Native fish species include the
pike,
zander,
European carp and
wels catfish, alongside numerous
minnows, such as
stickleback,
common bleak,
white bream,
common bream and
ruffe. The
European eel is not native to the lake, but was introduced as a food source for humans. Due to environmental concerns, further releases of young eels has been banned.
Prussian carp has also been introduced, alongside the
pumpkinseed.
Amphibians The
European tree frog is a common species in the area. Other amphibians that can be found, especially in the reed belt and the lakeside edge, include
common toad,
European green toad,
common spadefoot,
moor frog,
agile frog,
pool frog,
marsh frog,
edible frog and the
European fire-bellied toad.
Danube crested newt and
smooth newt are also present.
Reptiles Reptiles are represented by the
grass snake and a number of lizard species including the
European green lizard,
sand lizard and the
common lizard. Occasionally,
dice snakes may be seen, but the
meadow viper, which was previously identified around the lake, has not been seen since 1973. == Towns and villages around the lake ==