Biodiversity in Tyrol

Hermann Sonntag: Most people commonly understand the term biodiversity to mean species diversity. But biodiversity is more than that. It is also about the diversity of habitats, as these are always related to species. Genetic diversity is also part of this term.

In Tyrol, a simple classification according to altitude levels is appropriate:

• Valley locations: since we only have 13% permanent settlement area in Tyrol, space for nature is very scarce here per se. Since the 1950s, land consumption has increased significantly, resulting in a conflict of interest between man and nature. Nature is being pushed back more and more. The result is, for example, heavily straightened rivers, loss of floodplains and wetlands.
• Forest stage: in contrast to the valleys or areas outside the Alps, this is more natural and is home to at least some important biocoenoses. The issue of biodiversity plays a major role here. After decades of promoting spruce, which is at the mercy ofincreasing drought due to climate change and the bark beetle as a shallow-rooted tree, the focus in recent years has been on mixed forests and more tree diversity. However, it is important not to introduce species that are foreign to the region, but to find regional alternatives. As a protective forest, this stage also has an important function for the valleys.
• Alpine pastures: these areas are not - as is often thought - natural landscapes, but cultural landscapes, i.e. landscapes that have been cultivated by people for centuries through hard work. With appropriate management, they are among the most species-rich areas. In addition to providing forage for agriculture, they also serve as recreational areas for locals and visitors and are extremely important for the identity of tourism. If these areas are abandoned, the alpine pastures become overgrown and lose their species, but if they are used too intensively, they quickly suffer from over-fertilization, trampling damage and erosion. Only the "happy medium" will preserve biodiversity!
• High mountains: here you will find mainly rocks and glaciers with extremely specialized flora and fauna. The overall pressure on the landscape is lower away from infrastructure such as ski resorts and hydroelectric power stations than in the valley.

Hermann Sonntag: On the one hand, Tyrol has a high level of biodiversity due to the altitude levels just described, but on the other hand, settlement areas in particular, as well as economically heavily used landscapes, are increasingly under pressure.

As far as biodiversity is concerned, for example, just over 3,000 plant species and 2,800 butterfly species have been recorded for Tyrol (source: University of Innsbruck, Institute of Ecology). In the past, much of the data - especially zoological data - was collected by amateurs. Today, modern genetic methods are also being used.

This also includes our rivers, which form an ecosystem with their surroundings. These are some of the most endangered habitats. Here, too, there are conflicting interests. On the one hand, hydropower development or flood protection, on the other hand, near-natural river sections are considered jewels for recreation, water sports and tourism.

Moors also have a special significance when it comes to biodiversity. Although they do not cover large areas in Tyrol, they are home to absolute specialists. Specialized peat mosses, cotton grasses and sundew can be found there. They also serve as carbon reservoirs. Various initiatives are currently attempting to promote the protection and revitalization of moors after they have been drained and used for decades. These include the Austria-wide AMooRE project. If used correctly, moors can be preserved both as a natural climate protection infrastructure and as a habitat and place to experience nature on an extensive scale.

Then there are the dry grasslands in the Tyrolean Oberland, Vinschgau and Engadin, where species similar to those found in the Pannonian lowlands can be found. Here, special irrigation systems such as irrigation channels and so-called peaks play a role.

Hermann Sonntag: There are several options here. Firstly, there is a direct lever. Many tourism businesses have emerged from agriculture and own land and can make a contribution by managing their own meadows and forests. This means, for example, that dead wood can be left standing in the forest , which is an important factor for biodiversity in the forest. The Biohotel Leutascherhof has also launched an initiative in which guests can hang a wooden woodpecker outside the door if they do not clean their hotel room. For years, the Wandl family has donated the costs saved in this way to compensate the forest owners and so together they have been able to promote woodpecker trees for a forest full of life in an unbureaucratic way. These so-called "trees of life" serve as an important habitat for woodpeckers and owls.

You can also indirectly support biodiversity and species protection. Hotel Der Stern in Obsteig with its star philosophy "I look at you, you look at me" has been consciously addressing the issues of climate protection, biodiversity and mobility for many years. Raising awareness plays a central role here. The CO2 Climate Check-in teaches guests how they can make their stay more sustainable. The offers also include larch bathing in the nearby larch meadows. In addition, a lot of local larch wood is used for the architectural design.

The greatest leverage of tourism for biodiversity probably lies in the core business, in that not every sensitive habitat is advertised. Every member of staff at reception can make an important contribution by informing guests where there are official biking or hiking routes. Through targeted communication, respect for farmers can be created and habitats can be relieved.