Mires of Pass Thurn. 02/02/04; Salzburg; 190 ha; 47°19'N 012°26'E; Nature monument. A complex of 13 peatlands (40 ha) on the southeastern slopes of the Pass Thurn mountain (between 1160-1600m), showing all typical features of mires of the Central Alps. The changing steepness of the slopes results in a very diverse pattern of different hydrological conditions - fens with mesotrophic calcareous water on the upper slopes turn into subneutral transitional mires or even acid bogs. The plant communities of the mires and marginal forests are endangered, and Dactylorhiza traunsteineri, a rare orchid, has one of the biggest populations in these mires. Noteworthy for the biogeographical region of the Alps is the occurrence of the boreal species Betula nana (Dwarf Birch). The mires of Pass Thurn are near-natural except for one site, the Wasenmoos, from which peat was cut chiefly for use as litter for stock-breeding in the valley; restoration work was undertaken there in autumn 2002. Ramsar site no. 1367. Most recent RIS information: 2003.