Rieserferner-Ahrn / Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park

Research and data gathering

Studien und Erhebungen

Studien und Erhebungen
Dwarf buttercup

Nature parks are sizeable areas comprising a combination of untouched and man-made landscapes that are rich in flora, fauna and habitats. As these areas also contain unusual geological elements and an extremely broad range of topological features, they are often studied by scientists.

The insights gained from such research and the data gathered for them is crucial when it comes to ensuring sustainable use of nature parks over the long term.

Dragonflies in Rieserferner-Ahrn / Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park

Dragonflies in Rieserferner-Ahrn / Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Nature Park
Four-spotted chaser

Dragonflies are mainly characterized by their unusual wing structures comprising bilateral sets of two wings that can move independently of each other and allow the insects to abruptly change direction, hover in the air, and in some species even fly backward. Dragonflies, which are able to fly at speeds of up to 50 kilometers an hour, are mainly found near bodies of water, as their larvae need water as a habitat in order to survive. In the summer of 2008 Dr. Franziska Werth, Dr. Alex Festi and Dr. Tanja Nössing investigated the distribution of dragonflies in various wetland habitats at nature park Trudner Horn / Monte Corno. The findings of their study served as a basis for the elaboration of water habitat preservation and optimization measures.

  • Click here to download a pamphlet summarizing the study’s findings titled “Die Libellen in den Naturparks Trudner Horn und Rieserferner-Ahrn” / “Le libellule nei parchi naturali Monte Corno e Vedrette di Ries-Aurina”.

AQUILALP – The Golden Eagle in the Eastern Alps

AQUILALP – The Golden Eagle in the Eastern Alps
Golden Eagle

Protecting flora and fauna species is a solemn duty – and a challenge – that extends across national borders. And when it comes to species such as the golden eagle, which uses habitats in wide ranging areas, international and inter-regional cooperation is necessary in order to develop and implement efficient protection strategies. The AQUILALP.NET (external link) project seeks to promote greater cooperation between nature conservation officials in the relevant regions. Coordinated and standardized counting of golden eagle populations in five key protected areas in the Eastern Alps (Rieserferner-Ahrn / Vedrette di Ries Aurina Nature Park and Fanes-Sennes-Prags / Fanes Senes-Braies Nature Park; Stilfserjoch / Passo dello Stelvio, Hohe Tauern and Dolomiti Bellunesi national parks) will allow specialists to assess the effectiveness of trans-regional conservation strategies for the golden eagle. The AQUILALP.NET project also seeks to provide the general public with information concerning efforts to protect the Alpine flora and fauna.