The primary purpose of research in the Gesaeuse
is to meet the National Park's responsibilities
for the protection of habitats and species.
Applied conservation research is therefore
the first priority. Pure research, as
well as long-term research, is secondary.
The definition of applied conservation research
covers all kinds of investigation into the habitats
and species found in the National Park.
Programmes of applied research might involve
the mapping out of biotopes, or keeping records
of amphibians and reptiles; they might involve
plotting the locations of nesting birds or of
bats, or registering the appearance of colonies
of neophytes (plants introduced into an area
where they were previously unknown) along the
Enns. In each case, the more that is known about
the National Park's habitats and the species
that live in them, the better they can be protected.
And the more we can tell the National Park's
residents and visitors about 'their National
Park's' special features, the more they will
be able to appreciate it.
Survey of the alpine
pastures 2003 (on the Sulzkar high
pasture).
The first pre-requisite of being able to manage
the environment was that the natural habits
had to be mapped out (a habitat inventory).
Specialists also carried out a large number
of supplementary inquiries (studies of the bird-life,
surveys of gravel banks and of alpine pastures
etc.).
Various other kinds of basic data from the
GEIS (Gesaeuse Information System) completed
the picture by offering factual information
about the local area. The geological map and
the digital altitude model, for instance, are
an important basis for the analysis of data
related to specific localities - such as the
shares of a particular habitat that should be
allotted to the various species.
Data from investigations
of all kinds are collected and evaluated
in the GEIS (=Gesaeuse Information
System)
In the coming years a map of the Park's biotopes
will be built up by working from this database.
It should help us make important decisions about
developing measures for conserving biodiversity
and for improving habitats in sensitive areas
(e.g. the areas of loose debris alongside the
Enns, alpine pastures, erosion grabens, etc.).
All this is of great importance when it comes
to working out different sets of guidelines
and management plans for each particular area.
The function of long-term research should
be to monitor the effects of the measures taken
in the Conservation Zone, by observing selected
sample reference areas. In the Natural Zone
the aim should be to observe the workings of
the forces of nature itself.
Mapping out springs
in the Gesaeuse National Park
Pure research should provide universally valid
conclusions that are of significance for conservation
management beyond the confines of the National
Park. Seen in this light, National Parks should
offer an example and paradigm of how the course
of nature might be respected in other landscapes.
By establishing a harmonious interplay between
the Natural Zone, the Conservation Zone and
the surrounding areas, the National Parks can
present themselves to others as 'model regions'.
Research of every kind is subservient to the
goal of protecting habitats and species and
so, in the last analysis, it is also 'research
for people' and for the human race at large.
Particularly in the study of man-made landscapes,
ecological and socio-economic research work
in tandem.
Within the framework of a broad variety of
projects, there should be attempts to support
applied interdisciplinary research and collaborative
ventures crossing national boundaries. In this
way we should be able to take advantage of the
possibilities provided by a European-wide research
network.
