Research

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 von Bertalanffy equation was developed in the 1940s and has since been the almost universal biologically motivated model to describe the ontogenetic growth of different species; it is characterized by the metabolic exponents a = 2/3, b = 1. West et al. (1997, 2001) suggested another pair of metabolic exponents (a = 2/3, b = 1) and provided biological reasoning for this choice. This project proposes biological reasoning for yet two other exponent pairs based on the ideas of Bertalanffy and West about metabolism and on a model of Parks (1982) about the dependency of growth on food intake.

The aim of the project is to survey hoverflies, together with bees the most important pollinators worldwide, nationwide. This will be the standardised monitoring data for these important headline indicators for the first time in Austria. In addition, the flowering plants visited by the hoverflies are to be plants visited by hoverflies in order to gain knowledge about the pollen and nectar sources of hoverflies. Data on the occurrence and distribution of highly endangered hoverfly species in Europe will also be collected. Overall, the project fills a gap in Austria's biodiversity monitoring, also collects data on species that are highly endangered throughout Europe, and thus represents an important contribution to achieving the goals set out in the national biodiversity strategy. It establishes the headline indicator hoverfly in Austrian biodiversity monitoring.