Research

The landscape ecological habitat potential describes the potential of an area to ensure the development of natural habitat structures for a species and thus serve as a habitat for this species. Such a model reflects the general suitability and colonization potential, irrespective of the current actual distribution. To date, various models exist for the suitability of wolf habitats in the entire Alpine region, but these are not based on current data from Austria. In this study, the conflict potential model will not be based on questionnaires but will be analyzed on the basis of economic data. The habitat potential model will aim to assess the suitability of areas for wolves, while the conflict potential model will use economic data to analyze potential conflicts. Both models will be based on current Austrian data and consider different scenarios (e.g., including conflict liability, compensation payments, and/​or herd protection measures). The availability of high-quality data is crucial for the accuracy and relevance of these models. The project will review the data base related to factors such as livestock production, herd protection, proximity to settlements, predation and other wolf biological parameters and integrate them into the models where available. The main research questions of this project include the determination of suitable habitats for wolves in Austria, the identification of conflict potentials from a socio-economic perspective and the identification of particularly affected areas in terms of habitat and conflict potential. This research project will provide valuable insights for nature conservation and the management of wolf populations in Austria.

Since 2008 (with one year of interruption), fecal samples have been collected and genetically analyzed in the Gesäuse National Park at Gscheidegg and in neighboring areas to study capercaillie genetic diversity. The present project will process the samples from the last 3 years, thereby supplementing the dataset of this long-term monitoring effort, and conduct comprehensive analyses on the genetic diversity of the studied population. Particular focus will be placed on addressing potential significantly decreasing trends in this important biodiversity indicator.

The wildlife-ecological spatial planning in Carinthia is meant to balance the various interests and needs of stakeholder within an integral wildlife and habitat management concept. It aims at preserving sustainable wildlife populations wihtin a human dominated landscape. As such, it informs landscape planning by defining wildlife zones and management concepts based on these zones accordingly. As adaptive management concept, the wildlife-ecological spatial planning should be evaluated and updated regularly, to include new scientific results and adapt the spatial planning to new practical challenges. Within the current period, a special focus will be laid on implementing wildlife corridors and protected areas to enable large-scale connectivity and hence improve longterm viability of native wildlife populations.