Record -suspect 90 volunteers from different scientific discipline – more than ever – last weekend in the large -scale survey of biodiversity in the Gradental and the Gartltal. The aim was to explore all plant, animal, lichen and mushrooms of the valley within a weekend.
“The collection of data, as we carry out on the day of biodiversity, is complex and does not provide quick documentation to changes that are often desired these days. But especially in times of fake news and the context, serious research is more important than ever. As a national park, we see ourselves as a responsibility, with reliable data and long -term rows to create a counterweight. Researchers for their commitment, their discipline and their joy in discovering, ”emphasized Barbara Pucker, director of the Carinthia National Park.
Tal with history
With 195 km² in the Glockner and Schobergruppe, the first Austrian National Park was founded in Carinthia in 1981. The Gradental is therefore a significant part of the Austrian National Park history. As an ice age trough valley in the Hohe Tauern, its impressive high alpine landscape, the surrounding three -thousanders and numerous karsees are characterized.
Five examination areas, thousands of observation data
The diverse valley sections were divided into five focus zones in order to optimally distribute the teams of the various research disciplines. In the first data that was reported via the online data platform OBServation.org, around 3,600 observations from the Gradental and the adjacent Gartltal show after the weekend. Among other things, 950 species were documented, including around 500 vascular plants, 150 moths, 45 dubbots, 80 bird species, 50 beetles, 20 grasshoppers – to name just a few. These figures will increase significantly in the next few days, since for many researchers the actual work – the determination of the species in the laboratory – will only now begin.
Newfound, hotspots and special features
The research team was completely surprised by the House of Nature over the first find of the threatened cave frail (Troglophilus neglected) in the Hohe Tauern. “We would not have suspected this species at all. Reproduction is a special feature in the wildlife and shows the special skills to ensure existing assurance. Several generations of eggs can be stored by the females as genetic clones to ensure survival. But then it is not possible without males,” says Tobias Seifert.
Like many other species, the cave frail was also found on the so -called Eggerwiesen, which can thus be described as the true hotspot of biodiversity. The high diversity of species is given due to the geology and sustainable management of the mountain mowers.
Another “treasure” is the Leuchmoos (Pennata schistostega), which was discovered near the Adolf-Noßberger hut. It does not shine active, but shows a fascinating optical phenomenon: Special cell structures in the protonema bundle the light and reflect it like a cat eye – a purely physical effect that makes the moss shimmer gold in certain lighting conditions. According to an Irish legend, the light moss is a sign of a hidden gold treasure at the end of the rainbow.
“Days of biodiversity” as an important building block for research
The variety of biodiversity in the Hohe Tauern National Park has been taking place since 2007, and that is extremely successful. So far, over 75,000 data records have been collected, which is around 12 % of the total database of the biodiversity database of the Hohe Tauern National Park (620,000 data records). The days of biodiversity show every year how much enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment is in the research and preservation of our nature – a lively coexistence of scientific collecting, exchange and discovering together in the heart of the national park.