Research

In recent years, the use of terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) and airborne laser scanning (ALS) to characterize forests has made considerable progress and can be used both to record individual trees and thus biomass and carbon stocks and to monitor changes (growth, turnover). In evergreen tropical forests, such evaluations face the challenge that it is not possible to measure in a leafless state, which limits the view of trunks and branches and thus makes it difficult to calculate trunk sizes. In 2024, LIDAR surveys were carried out in La Gamba, Costa Rica, in primary, secondary forests and reforestation areas with planted trees using modern TLS and ALS systems. These data are to be analyzed as part of the project. First, individual TLS scans must be linked and the trees segmented, then these results will be checked with direct measurements of the trees on site and, as far as possible, the allometric model used for biomass calculation will be improved.

The loss of biodiversity has a negative impact at all levels - taxonomic diversity, genetic diversity - which has a holistic effect on the functionality of ecosystems. To counteract this trend, botanical gardens are successfully implementing in situ conservation measures and ex situ conservation measures. In this project, the botanical gardens of the University of Innsbruck, the Carinthian State Museum, the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna and the University of Vienna are implementing measures to protect endangered plant species. After selecting the target species on the basis of depulsa's endangerment criteria (RL category: Critically Endangered CR, Endangered EN, Vulnerable VU and Early Warning NT) and selecting target areas for reintroduction, the seeds of the target species are collected in accordance with ENSCONET guidelines. Reintroduction will take place after one to two years by sowing or planting young plants. Monitoring of the areas will continue beyond the project period in order to document their long-term establishment. The project team is also applying for additional funding for the Botanic Gardens' permanent staff for horticultural consumables, external support staff for seed collection and planting, as well as travel expenses for seed collection, site preparation and planting. To exchange experiences and strengthen synergies, the project team meets at the Botanical Garden Innsbruck at the beginning of the project and at the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna at the end of the project. The information gained on cultivation requirements and reintroduction successes is entered into the publicly accessible database of the Association of Botanic Gardens' Conservation Cultures Working Group. The transfer of knowledge will be coordinated centrally and will form part of the public relations work via the project team's established channels (guided tours, exhibitions, social media). The project team has a wealth of experience that it can draw on for the successful realization of the project.

The random fluctuation of allele frequencies (genetic drift) can have a significant impact on evolution in small and fragmented populations and lead to an extinction vortex, a feedback loop between reduced population size, loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding. Since dry meadows and pastures in Austria are among the most species-rich habitats, but also among the most endangered due to changes in land use, we selected 14 rare "steppe plants" with occurrences in the Pannonian and partly also in the Alpine region for the survey of the state of genetic diversity: Artemisia pancicii; Astragalus exscapus; Crambe tataria; Dianthus serotinus; Dracocephalum austriacum; Iris humilis subsp. arenaria; Adonis vernalis; Phlomoides tuberosa; Carex supina; Linum flavum; Onobrychis arenaria; Oxytropis pilosa; Stipa capillata; and Pulsatilla grandis, P. oenipontana and P. vulgaris (species group). For the molecular genetic characterization of the populations and for a corresponding (long-term) comparison of genetic diversity (heterozygosity, gene flow, inbreeding), the occurrences are to be genotyped using RADseq. We expect that the data will provide valuable information for assessing the conservation status of the species themselves, but also of the habitats in which they occur. The data can be valuable as a basis for conservation decisions. For example, it can be used to assess which protected areas are characterized by high or low genetic diversity, what connections exist between protected areas or what contribution species conservation projects make to the preservation of genetic diversity. The project supports Austria's efforts as a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity to establish a national system for monitoring the status and development of biodiversity and its components by collecting data for indicator S.3.1 (status of genetic diversity of wild species) throughout Austria using a standardized design.