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WS 3.122

Strengthening long-term socio-ecological research in mountain LTSER platforms

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Full Title
WS 3.122: Developing pathways to strengthen long-term socio-ecological research in mountain LTSER platforms
Scheduled
TBA
Location
TBA
Convener
Nikolaus Schallhart
Co-Conveners
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Assigned to Synthesis Workshop
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Thematic Focus
Socio-Ecology
Keywords
human-environment interactions, inter- and transdisciplinary, monitoring, modelling, European research infrastructure

Description

Mountain ecosystems are strongly affected by climate change and are highly vulnerable to other anthropogenic impacts, as demonstrated by monitoring programs and related research projects at various Long-Term Ecosystem Research (LTER) sites around the globe. It is becoming increasingly apparent, that changes in ecosystem structures and -functions have impacts on human well-being. These impacts are predicted to increase dramatically, highlighting the need to strengthen the resilience of and develop adaptation strategies for alpine human communities. Consequently, socio-ecological research at local and regional scale that is based on long-term monitoring data is a key factor. The Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER-RI) which is currently developed identifies research on human-environment interactions with an inter- and transdisciplinary approach as one of the main tasks of the associated LTSER platforms. Anticipating the establishment of additional LTSER platforms in the future, we aim to develop pathways towards sustainable socio-ecological research portfolios, including interdisciplinary networking, stakeholder interaction and knowledge transfer. We are welcoming speakers to present best practice examples, experiences as well as failed attempts and ongoing projects. Together, we want to identify enablers and barriers to interactive processes between researchers of different disciplines, representatives of local communities and policy makers and find ways to overcome them. Finally, we want to identify future needs for socio-ecological research in changing alpine ecosystems.

Submitted Abstracts

ID: 3.10155

Hohe Tauern National Park: A Model for Conservation and Long-Term Ecological Research in the Austrian Alps

Angelika Riegler

Abstract/Description

Established over 40 years ago, Hohe Tauern National Park is one of Central Europe’s largest protected areas, spanning 1,856 km² across Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol. It features a 1,213 km² core zone, where nature remains untouched, and a 643 km² buffer zone, allowing traditional land use. The park’s legal framework was finalized between 1981 and 1992, with IUCN Category II recognition granted in 2001 (Carinthia) and 2006 (Salzburg & Tyrol). Home to exceptional biodiversity, the park preserves high-altitude ecosystems, with over a third of Austria’s plant species and half of its vertebrates. Iconic species like bearded vultures, ibex, and golden eagles benefit from dedicated conservation efforts. The park’s zoning—from montane pastures to glacial peaks—ensures ecosystem integrity while integrating human activities. The Hohe Tauern National Park is accredited as a “regular site” by LTER-Austria (Long-Term Ecological Research Austria). This recognition enhances the park’s visibility and international networking within the European LTER network (eLTER) as it develops into a European Research Infrastructure (eLTER RI). Now the Hohe Tauern National Park is actively participating in the development of a joint LTSER (Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research) platform along the Austrian Central Alps, further advancing interdisciplinary research and ecological monitoring in the region.

ID: 3.12093

Designing recurrent participatory research processes in Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) platforms using the example of the LTSER platform Eisenwurzen

Hannah Politor
Kirchweger, Stefan; Gaube, Veronika

Abstract/Description

In the context of long-term socio-ecological research (LTSER), a systematic observation and analysis of changes in socio-ecological systems is conducted over extended periods. The diverse research projects undertaken in LTSER platforms depend on repeated engagement of various actors. The involvement of non-academic actors in scientific research processes harbours many challenges, one of which is ‘stakeholder fatigue’. To tackle this and other challenges, it is necessary to explore the factors that facilitate or hinder engagement in research processes and formulate proposals for designing research processes so that stakeholders from both academic and practical backgrounds are willing and able to maintain their commitment. This work addreses the following research questions: What are the prerequisites for a successful long-term relationship between actors from science and practice in participatory research like LTSER platforms? How does prior involvement in participatory research affect the willingness of actors in a region to participate in further research projects? Which criteria for the future design of participatory research methods and processes can be derived to ensure they remain beneficial and appealing to the relevant actors? These research questions are analysed in the Eisenwurzen LTSER platform, where stakeholders have been actively involved in the development of the platform for over two decades, and have since participated in many individual projects. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with actors from selected projects as well as with key players from the platform. The interviews will be analysed using qualitative content analysis. Criteria and principles from extant literature will be considered to examine their suitability for the repeated involvement of stakeholders in the transdisciplinary research process. The success factors and inhibitors of participatory research processes will be explored, and the impact of projects will be analysed in terms of their contribution to solving the lifeworld problems of the actors involved. Preliminary findings suggest that participants value the opportunities for exchange, networking, and external input offered by engagement in participatory research. This work aims to contribute to the understanding of how to sustain long-term engagement in LTSER platforms and improve the design of participatory research processes to make them more effective and appealing to all stakeholders involved.

ID: 3.12500

Application of socio-ecological land use models in the LTSER platform Eisenwurzen (Austria)

Veronika Gaube
Bertsch-Hörmann, Bastian; Egger, Claudine; Grammer, Benedikt

Abstract/Description

In order to strengthen long-tern socio-ecological research in (mountain) LTSER platforms, methods and tools are important for exploring the integration of social and natural sciences in studying the sustainability of globally embedded socio-ecological systems. Changes in their biophysical and socio-economic framework will force land users to rethink and adapt their land management strategies in terms of land cover and land-use intensity. To link societal and environmental drivers of land use change, we developed the land-use agent-based model (ABM) SECLAND. The model’s farm agents represent real-world actors who make decisions in pursuit of well-being, intrinsic motivation and global socioeconomic and political drivers for decision-making influencing their preferences for certain land-use strategies. We will present new simulations for the LTSER (Long-term socio-ecological research) region Eisenwurzen in Austria, for which we calibrated the model with quantitative census data, supplemented by qualitative data from interviews and workshops with stakeholders to represent the specific conditions of the study region. Model simulations produce spatially explicit parcel-level land use maps. Previous land-use trajectories proposed strong shifts toward organic and extensive agriculture as well as forest transition as result of (grass-) land abandonment. We refine these forecasts by focusing on farmers’ perception of extreme events as climate change threats and evaluate the effects of early climate change adaptation measures on future land management. The investigation of social-ecological research in an RI such as eLTER can thus make a crucial contribution to the integration of local, actor-centred and participatory research carried out in LTSER regions.

ID: 3.12603

Socio-ecological research in the Matschertal-Val di Mazia platform

Veronika Fontana

Abstract/Description

The Matschertal/Val di Mazia, located in the westernmost part of South Tyrol, Italy, is a prime example of a socio-ecological system that is highly sensitive to water scarcity, land use patterns, and climate change. Spanning 90 km², the valley is situated between 950 m and 3739 m a.s.l. and is characterized by dry conditions, with an average annual precipitation of 525 mm at 1500 m. Due to its water scarcity, the valley has a long history of human adaptation, including a complex irrigation system that channeled water from glaciers to agricultural fields. Today, automated irrigation pipes have largely replaced these traditional channels. This unique setting makes Matschertal an ideal site for Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LT(S)ER), particularly to explore water management in mountainous regions. The valley’s characteristics, including its climate and land use, serve as a reference for future scenarios of water scarcity in other alpine regions. The research activities conducted in Matschertal address two key challenges faced by the European Alps: (1) the heterogeneity of water availability and demand, which requires high-resolution assessments, and (2) the need for an integrative approach that accounts for the dynamic interactions between social and ecological systems. We present three studies performed within the site: Huber et al. (2021) applied an agent-based model to simulate water supply and demand dynamics in the valley, assessing six different scenarios for the period 2015–2050, including three socio-economic pathways and one climate change scenario. Results indicate a significant increase in the water demand-to-supply ratio over time, with potential water scarcity expected to occur at the start of the irrigation season. Fontana et al. (2023) applied multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to assess ecosystem services provided by mountain lakes, highlighting that remote lakes also contribute significantly to ES aesthetics. Schirpke et al. (2021) developed a framework for delineating functional spatial units in alpine grasslands to map ecosystem services (ES) based on topographical and management variables. All studies demonstrate the utility of integrating biophysical and socio-economic factors and offer valuable insights for sustainable management strategies in similar regions facing global change pressures.

ID: 3.12911

Flower washing and environmental DNA analysis for monitoring arthropod diversity at Austrian LTER sites

Thomas Curran
Schallhart, Sandra; Krisai-Greilhuber, Imgard; Meimberg, Harald; Sturmbauer, Christian; Szucsich, Nikolaus; Traugott, Michael; Tribsch, Andreas; Thalinger, Bettina

Abstract/Description

Biodiversity is crucial for the functioning of healthy ecosystems, which are vital for human and animal wellbeing. However, it has been estimated that up to 40% of global insect diversity is in decline and at risk of extinction. Biodiversity declines have been associated with anthropogenic influences and can result in the loss of important species, such as pollinators, and the promotion of invasive species. The routine monitoring of biodiversity and its change in different terrestrial habitats is crucial to implement informed mitigation measures and long-term ecological research (LTER) sites play a key role in this process. However, the time and labour-intensive task and the expertise required to morphologically identify arthropod species hampers efforts to successfully employ biodiversity surveillance programmes. Molecular methods, more specifically the DNA-based identification of arthropods via metabarcoding of insect bulk samples and environmental DNA samples, have recently emerged as scalable and efficient biodiversity monitoring tools and are currently being implemented in the eLTER monitoring framework. Here, we showcase how DNA-based identification via metabarcoding can be used to assess arthropod diversity at Austrian LTER sites. We carried out a standardized flower washing technique, which captures trace amounts of environmental DNA (eDNA) left by plant associated arthropods and can be used as a minimally invasive monitoring approach in grassland systems. Sampling was done at seven locations (Alpine to lowland) monthly between Spring and Autumn in 2023 and 2024. At each site, 5 bouquets containing 30 flowering plants were vigorously washed in 350 mL of water which was subsequently filtered through a Sterivex™ filter and in total amounted to 391 eDNA samples collected from the seven sites. All samples were brought to the University of Innsbruck for extraction and subsequent eDNA metabarcoding for the detection of arthropod DNA. Preliminary results indicate a clear difference in arthropod communities between locations and over time. Our work highlights the applicability of DNA-based methods for monitoring Biodiversity at LTER sites and the potential of the minimally-invasive flower washing approach to answer questions related to biodiversity changes in ecosystems across Austria, thereby addressing a key component of the EU and Austrian biodiversity strategy 2030+.

ID: 3.13932

Socio-Ecological Research in Obergurgl: Tradition and future perspective

Nikolaus Schallhart

Abstract/Description

The Bundessportheim und Alpine Forschungsstelle der Universität Innsbruck (Federal Sports Centre and Alpine Research Station of the University of Innsbruck) in Obergurgl was founded in 1951 and has a long research tradition in various disciplines of natural and social sciences. A lot of research was dedicated to the development of the village Obergurgl. “Gurgl” was first mentioned in historic documents back in 1250. For centuries, it was a small mountain village with residents working in cattle and sheep farming as well as linen weaving and production of loden cloth. A change in fashion in the 19th century made the textile manufacturing unprofitable and left the residents in dire need of another source of income. It was found in tourism, beginning with mountaineering and the need of mountain guides and supply carriers. Winter tourism in Obergurgl started in the beginning of the 20th century and has been growing ever since, with the exception of the times of both world wars and the corona pandemic. The Alpine Research Centre was involved in winter sport activities from its beginning, since the founder Prof. Dr. Ing. agrar. Wolfgang Burger was a certified sports instructor among many other things. A research project dedicated to the development of Obergurgl from a farm town to a winter sports destination was initiated by Burgers’ successor as head of the Alpine Research Centre, Dr. Walter Moser. He led the Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Project Obergurgl, founded by the UNESCO. From 1973 to 1979, this interdisciplinary research project documented socio-ecological shifts during the transformation of the village and developed future strategies for managing these shifts. The data produced in this project, served as a basis for follow-up studies in later years, like the FOOPTPRINTS project from 2005 to 2009 and more recently the RESULT project. In the latter, the development regarding tourism and agriculture in the two neighboring villages Obergurgl and Vent was compared and analysed, adding another study site to the socio-ecological research portfolio. This wealth of data may be crucial to prepare especially winter sport resorts like Obergurgl for the next challenge: climate change.

ID: 3.13971

The Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure eLTER RI – Status and Outlook

Thomas Dirnböck

Abstract/Description

The Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER RI) will respond to the challenge of understanding the complex interactions between people and nature over the long term. eLTER will catalyse scientific discovery and insights through its state-of-the-art research infrastructure, collaborative working culture, and transdisciplinary expertise. This will enable the development and application of evidence-based solutions for the wellbeing of current and future generations. When the concrete planning for eLTER started, it was clear that its vision calls for a novel approach involving many disciplines and a targeted design of eLTER Sites and eLTSER Platforms, and representativeness on a large scale for its applicability in policy driven research. How far have we come and what can the scientific community expect in the near future?

WS 3.121: The science-policy interface for regional mountain governance

WS 3.123: Geoengineering on Mountain glaciers: Benefits versus Risks

#IMC: September 14 - 18 2025

WS 3.122

Strengthening long-term socio-ecological research in mountain LTSER platforms

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