ABSTRACT
Austria-situated in Central Europe-has different landscape types: high alpine areas, large valley landscapes with intensively agricultural valley floors and the north-eastern parts of the country which are strongly influenced by the pannonian climate, thus exhibiting a nearly steppe-like character. Precipitation varies according to altitude, on average amounting to about 1200 mm. Whereas precipitation in higher regions often exceeds 2000 mm, it remains ~500 mm in the areas influenced by the pannonian climate. Beside all other aspects the quantity of precipitation alone influences water quality.
