Research

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 Red Lists of endangered vertebrates were compiled 18 and 16 years ago. Since then, there have been changes in the taxonomic conditions, the basic population, the ecological conditions and the endangerment disposition of the species. Species that were thought to be extinct, such as the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris), have been able to re-establish themselves. The endangerment situation of many species has also changed. New potential threats such as climate change, neobiota, etc. have emerged and are having an impact on species. Insect mortality has a direct impact on the numerous insectivorous vertebrate species and ecosystemic effects on the remaining species. The nomenclature of mammals, which was used as the basis for the 2005 work, is in need of updating. As part of a project by F&P Netzwerk Umwelt GmbH (engineering office for biology and landscape planning), the Red List of mammals (excluding bats) in Austria is now to be updated. This update will include a checklist of Austria's mammals according to the current taxonomic classification, an endangerment analysis and classification of the mammals occurring in Austria (excluding bats) in the IUCN endangerment categories. In addition, short species profiles are to be compiled for each species, outlining taxonomic conditions, ecological requirements, distribution, endangerment factors and conservation measures. Data on game species collected by F&P Netzwerk Umwelt GmbH will be evaluated in interviews and/or workshops with scientific researchers from the Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management (IWJ) at the BOKU University. The findings will be used to create checklists and the species profiles mentioned above. These checklists as well as the species profiles and any (final) reports will again be evaluated by researchers from IWJ, with a focus on game species.

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.