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.

Sustainable development, as formulated in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), requires the preservation of biodiversity. Central European landscapes are characterized by shrinking habitats for various wildlife species, reduced habitat suitability, and increasing fragmentation. A functioning and sufficient gene flow is essential for the long-term survival of wildlife populations. So far, the functional connectivity has been insufficiently considered in landscape planning and management processes. Nearly half of Austria's national territory is covered by forests, and nearly another one-third consists of agricultural land, which together represent a significant proportion of potential wildlife habitats. Management measures on these areas determine the quality of habitats but also play a crucial role in shaping connectivity between usable habitat areas and opportunities for gene flow. Efforts to increase the resilience of forest ecosystems and numerous ecosystem services require complex decision-making and management situations for land managers. Therefore, integrative studies are needed to examine the landscape structure in terms of existing landscape connectivity and to provide decision-making tools for land managers in a usable form. The aim of this study is to model the distribution of potential wildlife habitats and their functional connectivity in selected regions. We focus particularly on: (1) The functional connectivity of various animal species on a fine spatial scale, (2) The impacts of current landscape features and existing infrastructure on connectivity, and (3) Supporting habitat managers in their management decisions by making our models available to stakeholders.

Sustainable development, as outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), necessitates the preservation of biodiversity, specifically emphasized by SDG 15. Within Central Europe, habitats of wildlife populations are limited and sufficient gene flow is mandatory for their long-term survival. While significant progress has been made in protection of habitats on sites, functional connectivity has not been recognized so far within landscape planning processes. Simultaneously, sustainable development also demands a transition to renewable energy sources to achieve climate neutrality. Within Austria’s aims to meet 100% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030, a focus is laid on additional wind power production with the federal state of Lower Austria representing by far the largest potential for development. While both aims are absolutely necessary for sustainable development, they are seemingly contradictory, calling for integrative studies to generate fundamental for landscape planning. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the impact of existing and future renewable energy projects on wildlife functional connectivity in Vienna and Lower Austria. We specifically focus on (1) modeling functional connectivity across various taxa on a fine spatial scale, (2) assess the effects of current and proposed wind power plants on connectivity, and (3) support regional spatial planning by providing our models to stakeholders. Ultimately, this integrative approach is meant as a first step to resolve conflicts between renewable energy expansion and biodiversity preservation, promoting sustainable development.