Report on Workshop Long-Term Research in Mountain Areas
Scientists from 16 nations participated in the Workshop "Long-Term Monitoring in Mountain Areas" at the University Center Obergurgl from September 29th to October 3rd 2017. The Workshop was organized by the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl in cooperation with Hepia Geneva - University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland and the LTSER platform Tyrolean Alps. The aim of this event was sharing information on long-term research projects in mountain Areas worldwide and discussing key issues like standardisation of monitoring methods, data mangement and evaluation and future projects. One of the most striking results was the increasing problem of acquiring funding for long-term projects despite their increasing importance for the modelling of future climate and ecological scenarios.
The participants of the Workshop Long-Term Research in Mountain Areas at the University Center Obergurgl
A pdf file of the book of astract of this workshop can be received upon request to Klaus.Schallhart@uibk.ac.at.
Newsletter 01/17
The recent Newsletter of the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl is now online. To download it, please click here.
The annual Report 2016 of the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl is now available (German language). To get a PDF document of the Report please click here or at the title page on the left.
Annual Report 2015
The annual Report 2015 of the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl is now available (German language). To get a PDF document of the Report please click here or at the title page on the left.
ARCO-Newsletter 01/16
The latest issue of our newsletter is now available here.
For any further information on or suggestions for the Newsletter, or if you want to receive the Newsletter automatically by email, please contact Klaus.Schallhart@uibk.ac.at
Event report
The Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl organised the course "Excursion guiding in high alpine environments" from August 31st to September 4th 2015. 15 participants from Germany, Italy, Austria and the USA were introduced to ecological, geomorphological, geological and historical characteristics of the surroundings of Obergurgl by means of 5 excursions and 3 talks guided by 8 lecturers of the University of Innsbruck and other affiliations. Furthermore, an introduction in secure guiding in alpine terrain, the introduction of the Nature Park Ötztal and a project presentation on the development of scientific guiding tracks for the region were part of the programme. The course was held in partnership and with the support of the University Centre Obergurgl, where the participants and the lecturers were accommodated. The very positive evaluation of this course by the participants affirmed the Alpine Research Centre in its efforts to organise such events regularly.
Research funding of the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl 2015
In spring 2015, the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl and the rectorate of the University of Innsbruck again advertised the funding of two scientific pilot studies in the inner Ötz valley. The call for proposals follows a biennial rhythm.
The submitted proposals were evaluated and ranked by reviewers of the University of Innsbruck and other universities. The two winning projects are:
"Soil fungi and collembolans in early successional stages of a glacier foreland as a basis to investigate trophic interactions of pioneers", submitted by Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Ursula Peintner
"Biological ice nucleators for artificial snow production", submitted by Assoz.-Prof. Dr. Martin Tollinger
On October 9th, the official award ceremony took place at the parlour of the rectorate with Dr. Sara Matt-Leubner, head of the department for business cooperation and shareholding, congratulated the awardees.
For more information on the funded projects, please go here.
Newsletter 02/15
The new issue of the newsletter of the Alpine Research Centre in now available here.
For any further information on or suggestions for the newsletter, or if you want to receive the newsletters automatically by email, please contact Klaus.Schallhart@uibk.ac.at
First announcement
The Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl organises a course on Excursion guiding in high alpine environments from August 31st to September 4th 2015 at the University Center Obergurgl.
We offer excursions and lectures in the surrounding of Obergurgl covering the topics alpinism, botany, ecology, geology, glaciology, and zoology. Experienced university teachers and alpinists will provide a diversified programme.
The costs for the course will be 360 € in double bedroom and 450 € in single bedroom, including accommodation with half board, all excursions and lectures and educational material.
A detailed programme will be provided here by the end of March 2015. The organisers reserve the right to cancel the course in case of too few preregistrations.
In July 2015, the Summer School Close Range Sensing Techniques in Alpine Terrain, organisedby the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences of the University of Innsbruck, will be held at the University Center Obergurgl. This event stands in the context of the LTER Platform Tyrolean Alps, emphasising the interdisciplinary networking between the research sites within this platform (see record below).
Application deadline for this summer school is December 30, 2014. For more information visit the event homepage (here).
LTSER Platform Tyrolean Alps - a new spirit and a new appearance
The LTSER (Long-Term Socio-economic and Ecosystem research) Platform Tyrolean Alps, as part of the national and international LTSER community, comprises most of the Western Austrian LTSER sites. The LTSER site Obergurgl, managed by the Alpine Research Centre, is also part of this Platform. The Platform itself is in a state of development, launching a new homepage and organising concerted events.
Another milestone in this development was the creation of a collective logo, which we want to present:
Report on the Workshop on Ecology of Glacier Forelands
An international workshop on the "Ecology of glacier forelands" was organised at the University Center Obergurgl from September 17th to 21st by the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl and the MuSe (Museo delle Scienze, Trento). The main aim was to bring together scientists working in glacier forelands worldwide, to facilitate networking between different institutions and to outline international research projects for the future.36 participants from 8 countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, USA) shared their experiences and recent research results. The cumulated informations on glacier foreland ecology will get published as a review article in an international journal. Besides the scientific talks and workgroup sessions, two excursions to the high alpine ecosystems around Obergurgl, being part of the international LTER (Long-Term Ecosystem Research) program, were organised. Participants had the opportunity to study local succession patterns of glacier forelands and to gain insights of glacier retreat and land use in the region. The excursions were guided by Rüdiger Kaufmann, Brigitta Erschbamer and Nikolaus Schallhart from the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl. For further information on this workshop please visit our SPECIAL LINK.
Replacement of the weather station on the Rotmoos glacier moraine of 1923
Obergurgl, 24.-25.07.2014
Since 1994, a weather station is operating in the Rotmoos valley on the glacier moraine of 1923. Now, the old weather station was replaced by a new device and slightly relocated since the original location was increasingly threatened by flooding from the nearby river.
The new station measures wind speed and -dierction, solar radiation and albedo, precipitation, air temperature and -humidity as well as soil temperature and -humidity on different dephts and sites around the station.
The replacement of this weather station is an important step not only in maintaining but also in improving the monitoring network of the LTER site Obergurgl.
The Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl thanks Logotronic Ltd. and the lift company Obergurgl-Hochgurgl for their support.
Extended version of the booklet "Alpine research in the region of Obergurgl"
Due to the release of our new book “Forschung am Blockgletscher – Methoden und Ergebnisse”, we reprinted an extended version of our booklet “Alpine research in the region of Obergurgl”. This booklet is available for free in German and Englisch language at the University Center Obergurgl and here for download.
Forschung am Blockgletscher - Methoden und Ergebnisse
Nikolaus Schallhart, Brigitta Erschbamer (Hg.)ISBN 978-3-902936-58-5198 pages, many illustrations2015, innsbruck university press, iupprice: 24.90 Euro
The Alpine Research Centre presents its 4th book from the series Lebensräume im inneren Ötztal (habitats in the inner Ötz valley). Forschung am Blockgletscher – Methoden und Ergebnisse (Research on rock glaciers – methods and results) takes a closer look at these giant monuments of ice and debris, focusing on the rock glaciers near Obergurgl. Flow velocity, microclimate, hydrology and vegetation are discussed and recent monitoring methods are introduced. The book is written in German language but contains abstracts in English.
The different chapters of the book can now be downloaded here for free.
For more information on our publications please go here.
Research for the future - The LTER Austria white paper 2015
“Long-Term Ecosystem Research” (LTER) constitutes a network in Europe of approximately 400 research sites, 100 institutions and numerous research projects in 24 national networks. LTER-Europe conducts research across a broad spectrum of European ecosystems from the arctic and alpine to mediterranean sites.
This white paper displays the activities, progress and future planning of the Austrian LTER network.
Furthermore all sites of the Austrian network are introduced in this white paper, like the LTER site Obergurgl.
To download the white paper, please click on the cover page on the right side. To gain other report and publications please click here.
Annual report of the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl 2014
Every year the Alpine Research Centre publishes a report on research projects, services and events of the last season. To download the report, click on the cover page on the right. Former annual reports can be downloaded here. The reports are only available in German language.
Forschung am Blockgletscher - Methoden und Ergebnisse
Nikolaus Schallhart, Brigitta Erschbamer (Hg.)ISBN 978-3-902936-58-5198 pages, many illustrations2015, innsbruck university press, iupprice: 24.90 Euro
The Alpine Research Centre presents its 4th book from the series Lebensräume im inneren Ötztal (habitats in the inner Ötz valley). Forschung am Blockgletscher – Methoden und Ergebnisse (Research on rock glaciers – methods and results) takes a closer look at these giant monuments of ice and debris, focusing on the rock glaciers near Obergurgl. Flow velocity, microclimate, hydrology and vegetation are discussed and recent monitoring methods are introduced. The book is written in German language but contains abstracts in English.
For more information on our publications please go here.
New for 2015: The Newsletter of the Alpine Research Centre
The Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl will publish electronic newsletters on a regular basis in English and German language from now on.
To receive the first issue of the newsletter please click here.
For any further informations on or suggestions for the newsletter, or if you want to receive the newsletters automatically by email, please contact Klaus.Schallhart@uibk.ac.at
First announcement
The Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl organises a course on Excursion guiding in high alpine environments from August 31st to September 4th 2015 at the University Center Obergurgl.
We offer excursions and lectures in the surrounding of Obergurgl covering the topics alpinism, botany, ecology, geology, glaciology, and zoology. Experienced university teachers and alpinists will provide a diversified programme.
The costs for the course will be 360 € in double bedroom and 450 € in single bedroom, including accommodation with half board, all excursions and lectures and educational material.
A detailed programme will be provided here by the end of March 2015. The organisers reserve the right to cancel the course in case of too few preregistrations.
In July 2015, the Summer School Close Range Sensing Techniques in Alpine Terrain, organisedby the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences of the University of Innsbruck, will be held at the University Center Obergurgl. This event stands in the context of the LTER Platform Tyrolean Alps, emphasising the interdisciplinary networking between the research sites within this platform (see record below).
Application deadline for this summer school is December 30, 2014. For more information visit the event homepage (here).
LTSER Platform Tyrolean Alps - a new spirit and a new appearance
The LTSER (Long-Term Socio-economic and Ecosystem research) Platform Tyrolean Alps, as part of the national and international LTSER community, comprises most of the Western Austrian LTSER sites. The LTSER site Obergurgl, managed by the Alpine Research Centre, is also part of this Platform. The Platform itself is in a state of development, launching a new homepage and organising concerted events.
Another milestone in this development was the creation of a collective logo, which we want to present:
Report on the Workshop on Ecology of Glacier Forelands
An international workshop on the "Ecology of glacier forelands" was organised at the University Center Obergurgl from September 17th to 21st by the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl and the MuSe (Museo delle Scienze, Trento). The main aim was to bring together scientists working in glacier forelands worldwide, to facilitate networking between different institutions and to outline international research projects for the future.36 participants from 8 countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, USA) shared their experiences and recent research results. The cumulated informations on glacier foreland ecology will get published as a review article in an international journal. Besides the scientific talks and workgroup sessions, two excursions to the high alpine ecosystems around Obergurgl, being part of the international LTER (Long-Term Ecosystem Research) program, were organised. Participants had the opportunity to study local succession patterns of glacier forelands and to gain insights of glacier retreat and land use in the region. The excursions were guided by Rüdiger Kaufmann, Brigitta Erschbamer and Nikolaus Schallhart from the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl. For further information on this workshop please visit our SPECIAL LINK.
Replacement of the weather station on the Rotmoos glacier moraine of 1923
Obergurgl, 24.-25.07.2014
Since 1994, a weather station is operating in the Rotmoos valley on the glacier moraine of 1923. Now, the old weather station was replaced by a new device and slightly relocated since the original location was increasingly threatened by flooding from the nearby river.
The new station measures wind speed and -dierction, solar radiation and albedo, precipitation, air temperature and -humidity as well as soil temperature and -humidity on different dephts and sites around the station.
The replacement of this weather station is an important step not only in maintaining but also in improving the monitoring network of the LTER site Obergurgl.
The Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl thanks Logotronic Ltd. and the lift company Obergurgl-Hochgurgl for their support.
Workshop on Ecology of Glacier Forelands
The Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl and MUSE - Museo delle Scienze (Trento, Italy) are organising a workshop on Ecology of Glacier Forelands. For more informations please visit our SPECIAL LINK.
The Alpine Reserch Centre Obergurgl at the 'Lange Nacht der Forschung' 2014
On April 4th, the 'Lange Nacht der Forschung' was organised all over Austria. The Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl presented its new booklet, a collection of minerals from the inner Ötz Valley and special tools for glaciologists. Additional information was provided via posters and a presentation. Close beside, children and grown-ups of all ages could playfully experience the hard life of pioneer plants in glacier forelands.
Annual report of the Alpine Research Centre Obergurgl 2013
Every year the Alpine Research Centre publishes a report on research projects, services and events of the last season. To download the report, click on the cover page on the right. Former annual reports can be downloaded here. The reports are only available in German language.
Opening of Nature Park service point in Ambach – perfect starting point for excursions in the Ötz valley
On 28th January, the first of six service points of the Nature Park Ötztal was opened in Ambach, at the entrance of the valley. The principal element of this service point is a terrain model of the Ötz valley and the surrounding mountain ranges (scale 1:20000). More than 60 points of interest can be localised on the model via a laser pointer and additional information is provided.
The service point in Ambach is integrated in the building of the ‘Ötztal tourism’ right next to the main road. It is a perfect starting point for excursions in the Ötz valley since it provides great overview of the region and a lot of additional information on potential points of interest. All informations are available in English.
The admission to the service point is free.
Current opening hours are: Mo-Fr 08:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-13:00
Please notice that opening hours may vary. For further information please contact:
Booklet 'Alpine research in the region of Obergurgl'
The Alpine Research Centre produced a booklet embracing the different fields of research which are performed in the region of Obergurgl. Basis are the chapters of the book publications of the AFO (see here). The booklet is available in English and German. To receive a pdf of the booklet please click here.
Jungforschertage took place in Obergurgl
As part of the “Kinder-Sommer-Uni” the Jungforschertage took place in Obergurgl on August 29th and 30th. Together with the young university Innsbruck, the "Schatztruhe" of the University of Innsbruck and the nature park Ötztal, the Alpine Research Centre organised an Ötzi-treasure quest, a pottery course and a GPS based explorer hike. During the two days, the young explorers were accommodated at the University Center Obergurgl. The weather was fine and everybody enjoyed the course.
Summer School on Alpine Field Ecology was great success
From August 4th to 10th the “Summer School on Alpine Field Ecology” took place at the University Center Obergurgl. Postdocs, PhDs and master students from Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Great Britain participated. Lecturers from several Institutes of the University of Innsbruck and other organisations trained the participants in methods of measuring in remote environments and provided insights into their studies in alpine regions. A final evaluation of the course resulted in a very positive feedback by the participants.
The Summer School was supported by the University of Innsbruck (Vice Rector for Research, Faculty of Biology, Institutes of Botany and Ecology) as well as by the Municipality of Sölden, the tourism office Obergurgl/Hochgurgl and the nature park Ötztal. The Alpine Research Centre would like to thank all of our supporters.
Excursion at the hohe Mut (photo: N. Schallhart)
Group photo in the Gaisbergtal (photo: N. Schallhart)
Klima, Wetter, Gletscher im Wandel
Eva-Maria Koch, Brigitta Erschbamer (eds.)
Alpine Research Centre Obergugl – volume 3 ISBN 978-3-902811-89-9 218 pages, many illustrations 2013, innsbruck university press iup price: 25.90 Euro
In the third publication of the series ‘Habitats in the inner Ötztal valley’ we are presenting long-term monitoring data of different habitats of the Ötztal valley and Tyrol and the respective methods of measurement. The book includes studies on mass balance, length and volume changes of glaciers, weather and microclimate data of several research sites near Obergurgl and long-term hydrological data of the Ötztaler Ache.
The book is published in German but contains abstracts of all chapters in English.
The participants of the Workshop Long-Term Research in Mountain Areas at the University Center Obergurgl
Newsletter 02/15
Extended version of the booklet "Alpine research in the region of Obergurgl"
Forschung am Blockgletscher - Methoden und Ergebnisse
Excursion at the hohe Mut (photo: N. Schallhart)
Group photo in the Gaisbergtal (photo: N. Schallhart)