Extensively managed meadows, characterised by low fertiliser input and infrequent mowing, are among the most species-rich habitats in South Tyrol. These environments host dozens of vascular plant species, which provide…

The biodiversity of phytophagous insects is often closely linked to the host plants with which they interact. In some species, different populations specialize on different host plants and, although they…

In forest ecosystems, the microclimate plays a crucial role in determining the distribution of organisms and regulating key ecological processes. Among these, non-vascular epiphytic communities such as lichens and bryophytes…

No alpine meadow is too steep for them, no riparian forest too rugged, no mountain pasture too remote, and no apple orchard too monotonous. Since 2019, the team of the…

Since 2023, South Tyrol has been carrying out a joint monitoring project conducted in cooperation with the Nature Office, Eurac Research and the South Tyrol Museum of Nature. The project…

The fish fauna of the Province of Bolzano currently comprises at least 35 species, mostly identified based on morphological characteristics, and largely belongs to the Po–Venetian biogeographical district. In the…

The alpine grasslands are home to an extraordinary richness of plant species. Yet this diversity is not always obvious at first glance, as some species look strikingly similar. The evolution…

The Adige, Italy’s second longest river after the Po, was once home to an exceptionally rich diversity of fish species. From its mouth on the Adriatic up to Merano, the…

Climate change is causing glaciers to melt and permafrost soils to thaw. This affects the availability and quality of water in lakes and streams, especially in the Vinschgau valley. Heavy…

River crayfish are among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Once widespread in European waters, these large freshwater invertebrates are now considered endangered. Today, they are typically found only in…