Main scientific investigations within the last years

 

 

Studies in Plant Ecology and Conservation Biology

 

 

Surveys in regard to Nature Conservation

·     Evaluation of distribution and ecology of bryophyte species listed in the FFH directive Annex II and Annex V in Niederösterreich, Steiermark, Burgenland, Wien, OÖ.

·     Austrian Report to the European Council regarding bryophytes listed in the FFH directive

·     Compilation of the Check List of Austrian Bryophytes within the framework of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) in Austria

·     Compilation of Red Data Lists for bryophytes in various counties (Lower Austria, Vorarlberg)

·     Studies on the occurrence and ecology of Austrian blanket bogs

·     Studies on the regeneration of peatlands in the Waldviertel (Lower Austria) with practical implementations at three bogs.

·     Comprehensive studies on biodiversity of bryophyte species of dry grasslands, salt meadows, wetlands, urban environments and woods in Austria and Greenland

·     Monitoring of bryophytes in remote areas (Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald, Thayatal National Park, Donau-Auen National Park, wilderness area Dürrenstein)

·     Assessment of vegetation with an emphasis on bryophytes in urban ecosystems 

·     Participation in the development of MOBI, a tool for monitoring biodiversity in Austria

·     Surveys of landscapes worth to be protected in different parts of Austria (e.g Biotopkartierung Vorarlberg, Biotopkartierung Niederöstereich, Biotopkartierung Oberösterreich, Biotopkartierung Wien)

·     Three studies on the influence of electric power stations on plant biodiversity at the rivers Lech, Salzach and within the Verwall mountains

 

 

Methodological studies in Plant Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

·     Basic research in the field of urban greeningplant cover by moss; development of methods and applications for outdoor and indoor purposes

·     Modelling the expansion of invasive and other species in respect to climate change (Zechmeister et al. 2007)

·     Development of a Red Data List concept for Austrian bryophytes (e.g. Zechmeister et al. 2013, Schröck et al. 2013)

·     Evaluation of surrogates for species richness (e.g. multi-basket approach) (e.g. Sauberer et al. 2004)

·     Participation in the development of MOBI, a tool for monitoring biodiversity in Austria

·     Calculation of new mathematical indices for the evaluation of landuse-intensity and biodiversity of a landscape by using remote sensing and GIS (e.g. Moser et al. 2002)

·     Preparation of an intensive research program on the influence of fragmentation on plant populations and metapopulations of dry grasslands and the evaluation of conservation strategies (e.g. PVA, MVP) - submitted to FWF

·     Studies on the influence of land-use on the plant diversity (vascular pants, bryophytes) with respect to various scales (landscape-, habitat-, substrate scale) (e.g. Zulka et al. 2014, Zechmeister et al. 2003)

·     Assessment of endangered bryophytes in cultural landscapes, their reproductive strategies and life-forms in relation to land-use (e.g. Zechmeister et al. 2002)

 

Synecology/Phytosociology

·     Synecological studies on water spring vegetation and spring-mires in Austria

·     Synecological studies on various types of mires (bogs, fens, transition mires, mires covered by woods)

·     Synecological studies on various types of urban ecosystems (e.g flat-roofs, fallow lands, flora of historic buildings)

 

 

 

Studies in bioindication and biomonitoring to assess the influence of atmospheric pollutants on ecosystems and humans

 

·     Biomonitoring of atmospheric background depositions of heavy metals and nitrogen on a regional and national level within an European framework (UN-ECE ICP-Vegetation) for three decades

·     Investigations of indoor pollutants by active moss monitoring in cooperation with Fundacio IMIM (Barcelona) in a human health related study in the Girona area (Spain)

·     Studies on the distribution of road traffic emissions (PAHs, metals, metalloids incl. PGE) along major roads in alpine ecosystems in Austria

·     Research on tracers for road traffic emissions by tunnel experiments

·     Biomonitoring of the cumulative effect of acid rain and toxic gaseous substances in urban areas (e.g. Vienna, Linz)

·     Monitoring of the influence of N-deposition within EMEP program on 28 permanent plots at NP Kalkalpen

·     Investigation on the correlation of heavy metal depositions and altitude within the Austrian Alps

·        Investigations on the use of infra-red photographs for detecting the influence of environmental pollutants on tree vitality within or near urban areas (Vienna)