About the Research Department

The Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee of the University of Innsbruck conducts evolutionary-ecological research on inland waters. The overarching research goal is to understand the evolutionary adaptations of aquatic organisms and the consequences at ecosystem level under the influence of climate change and increasing human utilisation. The focus ranges from bacteria to fish in order to investigate patterns and processes of ecological and evolutionary relevance. Although the research institute is primarily dedicated to basic research, questions of applied limnology are also addressed. The Research Institute currently employs 25 people (excluding Project Staff), 8 of whom are scientists. Eight research groups in Mondsee are dedicated to the study of lake ecosystems and the evolution of organisms in a changing environment (see Research and Personnel). In addition, there are students and guest scientists who are involved in various national and international research projects.

The study of the evolutionary ecology of aquatic organisms and communities takes place in Mondsee at various levels: starting with molecules (genes and proteins), through organisms and populations to communities. The evaluation of long-term data (LTER-Location) on the limnology of Mondsee and other lakes at different altitudes should provide a complete picture of the ecology of the local lakes - important findings for basic research, but also for the protection of local waters and water management.

The department was opened by the ÖAW in Vienna in 1970/1971 on the initiative of limnologist Prof. Dr Heinz Löffler and transferred to Mondsee, 30km east of Salzburg, in 1981. In September 2012, the department was taken over by the UIBK and the building was ceremoniously reopened in October 2014 after renovation. The Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee is a member of the Austrian branch of the International Society for Limnology - Societas Internationalis Limnologieae, Austria (SIL-Austria).

IPGL was part of the Research Department for Limnology and the Austrian Academy of Sciences for 37 years. Around 500 young scientists from around 60 countries have completed the IPGL training programmes in Mondsee. In October 2012, IPGL was integrated into the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.