Research

The research project in La Gamba, Costa Rica, aims to establish a long-term wildlife monitoring program with a focus on mammals and birds. Audio recording devices and camera traps will be used, among other methods, to collect data. The project will be conducted on the properties of the Tropical Field Station La Gamba, which is located at the edge of the "Rainforest of the Austrians" (Regenwald der Österreicher) and covers approximately 570 hectares within the Biological Corridor La Gamba (COBIGA). The Tropical Field Station La Gamba, a research and teaching facility of the University of Vienna, plays a central role in rainforest research and raises awareness about rainforest conservation. It provides access to its properties for research purposes upon prior consultation. The study areas encompass various habitat types, including primary rainforest, reforestation areas of different ages, open shrublands, and oil palm plantations. The project will contribute to a better understanding of the distribution and behavior of wildlife in these habitats, support conservation efforts, and enhance knowledge about tropical ecosystems.

The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) still inhabits a large range worldwide, but many populations in Western and Central Europe have already disappeared or declined significantly. As a result, the species is listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive, granting it a special conservation status across Europe. Additionally, the capercaillie is classified as a "strictly protected species" under Germany's Federal Nature Conservation Act. In the Black Forest, located in southwestern Germany, the capercaillie population was first estimated in 1971 through comprehensive lek surveys. Since 1983, these surveys have been conducted annually, documenting a strongly negative population trend: the number of displaying males decreased from 570 in 1971 to just 97 in 2022, and the annual counts have remained at a low level since then. Genetic differentiation between subpopulations has already increased in the last survey, indicating a lack of connectivity and, consequently, a lack of genetic exchange. As part of the current research project, a new genetic survey is planned to assess the ongoing trend. The primary research questions are: (1) What is the current genetic diversity of the capercaillie population in the Black Forest? and (2) Is the negative trend in genetic differentiation continuing?

Within the project “Research on wild ungulates in Austria”, various species of wild ungulates – including red deer, roe deer, and chamois – are being comprehensively studied. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of their ecology and behavior, as well as their interactions with the environment and humans. A range of scientific methods is applied – from wildlife telemetry to the use of camera traps – serving both basic and applied research purposes. Building on the results of this project, practical strategies for an integrated wildlife management will be developed. The objectives and impacts of different stakeholder groups are considered. In this way, the project makes an important contribution to scientifically based management and the conservation of these ungulate species, while also helping to reduce conflicts between stakeholder groups that may arise due to these animals.