Hotspot Mur

The River Mur is a hotspot of Styrian biodiversity. Many specialised animal and plant species populate the watercourse, its banks and the meadow landscapes lying behind it. A high dependency on flowing water is shown here, which not only ensures provision of oxygen and nutrients, but also offers constantly low temperatures.

Moreover, the flowing water is also a guarantee for the continuous existence of special and precious river habitats. For sand and gravel bars can only exist if they are constantly reformed and deposited by ever-recurring high waters. Despite the damage done to the Mur by man – from the regulations of the 19^th century to energy plants currently under construction – the Mur has retained a unique living environment.

The spectrum of species on display in the exhibition range from the huchen or Danube salmon and vairone, two rare and greatly endangered species of fish, and Frieb’s ground beetle, a tiny insect found in banks, to the “emerald-Gressling”. The exciting story of the discovery of the latter species, a kind of gudgeon known to the world only from the River Mur, makes the link to present-day scientific research.