Abstract ID: 3.11477 | Accepted as Poster | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

In 1886, the Sonnblick Observatory was established at an altitude of around 3,100 meters on the main Alpine ridge in the Austrian Alps to gain a better understanding of atmospheric processes. In the following decades, the observatory developed into a high-tech, high-altitude research infrastructure with a monitoring focus on the atmosphere, biosphere and cryosphere, embedded in international research and monitoring programs. Since 2016, the observatory has also been involved in European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs). In addition to ACTRIS, a focus is now on eLTER. As part of eLTER, the summit site of the Hohe Sonnblick is listed in DEIMS. The summit location provides access to a wide range of data from the climate and environmental sector, but it limits research approaches with regard to the entire ecosystem and its changes in the face of climate change. In particular, potential studies of altitude-dependent changes from the valley floor across the main Alpine ridge are not possible with a single measuring location. To address this, GeoSphere Austria and PLUS are working together to establish a long-term collaboration within the framework of eLT(S)ER in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Additionally, this gradient is of particular interest for cloud research within the ACTRIS framework. Our goal is to study ecosystem science across an altitudinal gradient of at least 1,500 meters while integrating sociological perspectives on a change in land-use, governance structures, and local economies, to move away from a environmental monitoring focus only research to socio-ecological research. To pave the way for socio-ecological transformation, we see an urgent need for a transdisciplinary approach, particularly in light of emerging science skepticism. We want to actively involves local actors and local communities as well as tourists through a participatory research approach. One approach of altitudinal gradient studies to capture environmental changes will be presented using the example of Mt. Hoher Sonnblick. The aim is to predict climate impacts, protect ecosystems and improve weather and climate models. This knowledge is crucial for informing regional decision-making processes. Alpine sites provide an ideal research setting for such research, as they contain many different climate zones within a small geographic area.