Research

Problem definition

Mountain habitats are characterised by extreme living conditions that lead to a slow regeneration of organisms and ecosystems after disturbances. They are therefore particularly sensitive to change. Mountains are among the regions where the effects of climate change are predicted to be particularly intense. In addition, rapid change in economic and social systems has led to large-scale changes in land use, which have significantly altered and continue to alter landscape functions and ecosystem services and are particularly evident in mountainous regions.

Aims

The "Ecology of the Alpine Region" research centre investigates the effects of global changes on the functioning, stability and vulnerability of mountain ecosystems and mountain landscapes. The aim is to analyse and predict historical, current and future changes in ecosystems due to human activities and natural developments, and thus to provide directly usable and applicable scientific results for the economy and society. Experimental work is combined with modelling and scenario techniques to investigate these relationships. The integration of economic aspects makes it possible to link ecological findings with the socio-economic drivers of these changes.

Structure

The research centre is supported by researchers from the biological departments of Botany, Microbiology and Ecology. In addition, it is realised in close cooperation with other disciplines at the University of Innsbruck (Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences, Economics) as well as with partners outside the University of Innsbruck, building on already established cross-faculty research groups.

Currently, more than 20 research projects funded by the EU or the FWF, as well as a number of other projects funded by regional funding organisations, are being integrated.