Amphibians and reptiles under observation in Austria

Importance and evaluability of databases increase with the extent, the precision and the currency of the data stored.

The Natural History Museum Vienna, one of the largest non-university research institutions in Austria, houses more than 30 million objects from the fields of biology, earth sciences and human sciences. For 35 years, the Amphibian and Reptile Collection has also been collecting data on the historical and recent distribution of amphibian and reptile species in Austria. All distribution data are documented in the Austrian Herpetofauna Database (current data status: about 110,000 findings). In collecting observations, the Herpetological Collection is also dependent on the help of numerous volunteers who make their discovery reports and observations available for inclusion in the database. On the homepage www.herpetofauna.at one can report online amphibian or reptile observations, which are to be included in the database. The homepage was created about 15 years ago by dedicated "Citizen Scientists" and has been maintained by volunteers since then. There is also the possibility to report sightings analogously by mail (data entry form). In addition to localities and taxon, accompanying data such as habitat characteristics, endangerment, stage of development etc. are recorded. Only data that are photographically documented are processed. So far, more than 20,000 records from "Citizen Scientists" have been included in the database and are available for research.

If you know autochthonous amphibian and reptile species, we ask you to report your sightings to us.

Report observations online

Herpetological reports of sightings can either be entered on the page www.herpetofauna.at or sent by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Since both reporting options store the data in the same database, we ask you to enter your observations only once and only in one place.

Report sightings by mail

For this purpose, a data entry form is available, which we ask you to print out, fill in and send to the following address or bring it to the museum.

Silke Schweiger
Herpetologische Sammlung
Naturhistorisches Museum
Burgring 7
1010 Wien

A separate survey form must be used for each reference site and observation period.

• Notes and explanations for completion
• Data entry form

Thank you for your cooperation!

Podcast episode

If you would like to learn more, you can listen to the Wissen macht Leute podcast episode about the project (in German). More information can be found here.

Further reading

Die Amphibien und Reptilien des Neusiedler See-Gebietes
181 Seiten, 316 Abbildungen
Bestimmungsschlüssel für alle im Gebiet vorkommenden Amphibien- und Reptilienarten
QR-Codes mit Amphibienrufen
Medieninhaber und Herausgeber: © 2015, Verlag des Naturhistorischen
Museums Wien, Burgring 7, 1010 Wien, Österreich, www.nhm-wien.ac.at. Nationalpark
Neusiedler See – Seewinkel Informationszentrum, Hauswiese, 7142 Illmitz, Österreich, www.nationalpark-neusiedlersee-seewinkel.at
ISBN 978-3-902421-95-1

Project description

When it comes to language, everyone can have a say!

"IamDiÖ – German in Austria" invites you to explore the diversity, change and use of all possible forms of German in Austria, from dialect and standard language to youth language and jargon.

By including the knowledge, opinions, experiences and concerns of the citizens in the research process, socially relevant topics are addressed and discussed publicly. 

The aim of the Citizen Science project "IamDiÖ – German in Austria" is to encourage everyone to engage with their (own) use and perception of the German language in Austria and to conduct research in this field. In this way, exchange between the interested public and academia is facilitated and academia becomes tangible through citizen science. Academia, in turn, can gain new insights and approaches through public participation.

There are many ways to contribute to the projekct, addressing different aspects of the German language in Austria. 

The questions in the project are:

• Which words are used in Austria?
• Which topics are of interest to the Austrian population when it comes to German in Austria?
• How can citizens use their knowledge, concerns and experience to contribute to research into the German language in Austria?

How can one participate?

There are various ways to take part in "IamDiÖ – German in Austria".

1. Collecting words

Speakers of the German language in Austria collaboratively create a digital dictionary by entering words they use or hear on the “Wortgut” website. This allows to collect a large number of words used in Austria – some of which may have never been written down before. All forms (varieties) of the German language in Austria can be entered in the dictionary, ranging from standard language and dialect to youth language and jargon. If you use this word in Austria, it is a perfect contribution to our collection.

2. Question of the month

You can submit questions about the topic of "German in Austria" (Question of the month). The question of the month provides an insight into socially relevant topics on the German language in Austria. If there is already an academically sound answer to this question, scholars from "German in Austria" will provide an answer. If there is not an answer yet, you can search for an answer yourselfand start your own research project. In this way, citizens themselves become researchers in the field of linguistics. The website of the project provides information, instructions, methods and tips on the research process so that participants can find an answer to their questions.

Once a month, two of the questions submitted or researched are selected and participants can vote on the Facebook project page to decide which of the two questions should be answered this month. The question with the most votes will be answered either by you or our scholars on the project website.

3. Search for written text in the public space

Everyone can search for writing in public space. Among the research objects are posters, signs, stickers on the street, in the park or in public buildings, which contain written text in a language or in a language variety (e. g. dialect). Participants can take photos of these posters or signs (with the Lingscape App) and provide  additional information (e. g. geoinformation or which languages can be seen). These photos are used, among others, to analyse the variety and dynamics of written text in the public sphere. They can be viewed and analysed by users on a map in the app or on the Lingscape website.

The photos of written text in public space can easily be taken on the way to work or school.

However, there are also organised scavenger hunts to collect and analyse images as a group (current scavenger hunt dates).

4. Meme Competition

In the meme competition, dialect memes can be created in a meme generator. The aim is to investigate the creation and distribution of memes in online media in connection with language use from a communication science perspective. Participants can add language, e. g. dialect, to pictures.

What happens to the contributions?

The words collected in the digital dictionary “Wortgut” can be accessed by the public. They are used as basis for answering research questions in different fields, such as: Which words are used in certain regions? How to write dialect? Which expressions are part of youth language or jargon?

The Questions of the Month and all results are presented on various channels such as the website and social media as well as on the research platform "German in Austria. Variation – Contact - Perception".

The pictures of the scavenger hunt for written text in public spaces will be stored and archived by the project partner Lingscape.

The memes are used for academic analyses in the field of communication. 

What do I gain if I join in?

Participants gain an insight into linguistic research and can (ideally) carry out research themselves with the help of academics. They are encouraged to reflect on their use of language and their own perception of it. Awareness of language use and its perception is  created.

Supported by:

Wissenschaftsfonds (Austrian Science Fund: FWF TCS 40 and FWF TCS 57-G)

With the Citizen Science Project "CITREE" a crowdsourcing instrument for monitoring the growth of urban trees, will be developed and used. It builds on the "Sparkling Science" project "Woody Woodpecker", which deals with the growth, structure and function of wood.

Urban trees fulfill a variety of functions, such as improving the microclimate and air, noise protection or the design of public spaces. Monitoring of urban trees is important because climate change leads to an intensification of stress on the trees. In cities, trees are exposed to extreme heat and drought and are additionally affected by other stress factors such as pollutant emissions, limited root space, salt stress or pest infestation. Therefore, trees in cities are "living laboratories" that allow analyses of stress mechanisms and estimates of future developments. CITREE is intended to provide a tool for monitoring urban trees and thus create a bridge between citizens and their trees: On the one hand citizens can participate in the monitoring process, on the other hand they can see and learn how their trees grow. This feedback will also be used to present the work of public institutions (e.g. city nurseries) and will enable school projects on urban trees and urban ecology.

 (c) CITREE

CITREE is based on easy to install and cheap band-dendrometers, with which the trunk circumference and thus the growth can be measured. Dendrometers installed on urban trees are read by citizens who have access to the CITREE database via QR code and smartphone. The CITREE database collects the growth data of all trees and makes it available to involved citizens, the public, public institutions and researchers.

The main work packages of the project are:

1. Selection/modification of suitable dendrometers
2. Development of an installation system
3. Development of the CITREE database
4. Test and optimization of the developed systems under urban conditions
5. Data analysis and
6. Installation of the systems in Austrian cities.

The project will be carried out at the Institute of Botany, University of Innsbruck and will benefit from the long experience in the field of science communication of the PI (Stefan Mayr) and his staff. The development of the CITREE database is carried out in cooperation with the University of Ghent and the company Phyto-IT, Belgium. A cooperation with the School of Education, University of Innsbruck serves the didactical optimization. For the installation in Austrian cities, city nurseries and researchers will be contacted to collect a first broader data set on the growth of urban trees. In the long term, CITREE is to be further developed into CITREE-EU, thus enabling a monitoring network in European cities.

Tasks and roles in the project:

• Citizen Scientists:enter the numbers read from the dendrometer and receive a graphical display of the calculated tree diameter including the previous history.
• Tree patrons: Select trees, install dendrometers according to instructions, collect information on the location and condition of these trees. Can download the records of the database.
• Research assistants: handle special cases (resetting dendrometer, removing obvious mismeasurements...), tracking patterns of growth, vandalism, etc.
• IT-assistant: Creating new trees in the database and on the homepage

If you have any questions about the project, or are interested in participating in the project, please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What is the project specifically about?

So much hangs on just one thing - and yet words sometimes fail us. How do we talk about our bodies and the things that we need, want, and do when it comes to sex and sexual pleasure? And who do we talk to about these things? Categories to Come invites everybody to put their sexuality into words, and to discuss new words or new uses of words with other people. Goal of the project is to create a platform and gather resources, that open up so far unnamed subject areas of sexuality. They will be accessible both for personal gain and interdisciplinary research.

How can citizens participate in research?

Citizens are actively involved in shaping the future vocabulary of sexual language and provide important impulses for research. Citizens can write down their own terms and descriptions for intimate activities and their own sexual desire. They can also collect and name passages from songs, books or films that are sexually interesting to them. They can look at films and photos and other cultural works and describe what can be seen there and index them. They can read books and texts and filter out places with sexual acts and tag them.

What happens to the results?

The results form a resource to illustrate previously unnamed areas of sexuality. This data collection will be organized and made available as a database and can be used to enhance studies by researchers working in linguistics, social sciences, sexology, gender studies and literature as well as for art production.

What does the research contribute to?

Categories to come helps to build a new resource for research on sexuality in different disciplines. The project is based on two assumptions, namely, 1) the existing sexual vocabulary has only been partly described, and 2) because of sexuality’s visual nature, lack of language, and location within the realm of experience, there are many fantasies and sex acts that nobody has yet attempted to put into words. The project Categories to Come combines artistic and academic research interests. In contrast to purely scientific research, the artistic element also allows one to become creative and to create new words. Categories to come thus contributes to making research into sexual language and sexual desire more diverse.

This project shows what the artistic aspect can be in a research context, how it produces a different kind of knowledge than purely scientific research and how this can make a contribution in an interdisciplinary context. By making the results publicly accessible, citizens can use the database themselves and find new ways and terms to talk about sexuality. This counteracts tabooing and promotes a conscious discussion of one's own sexuality.

Image gallery

• "so much revolves around this one topic" "so much revolves around this one topic"
• "and still we sometimes miss words" "and still we sometimes miss words"
• Facebook header of the project Facebook header of the project
•  

We take care of our meadows and alpine pastures!

For more than a decade, hundreds of farmers have been saying "We look at our meadows and alpine pastures!".

The regular observations of the more than 700 participants impressively show that on more than 80 % of the monitoring plots in extensive grassland the number of individuals of the species observed has remained the same or even increased.

By observing the animals and plants every year, the perspective with which the farmers perceive their meadow changes and a process of more conscious action is set in motion.

Background

In monitoring extensive grassland, participants look at which management practices promote or inhibit the occurrence of individual plant and animal species.

The Austria-wide observations of plant and animal diversity provide new insights into the benefits of management in extensive grassland. (By extensive grassland we mean species-rich meadows that are mowed a maximum of two to three times a year or not at all or only slightly fertilized and gentle grazing.)

The species-rich grassland has been displaced by a frightening 90% since the 1960s due to structural changes in agriculture and land use change! The last occurrences of colorful flower meadows are therefore landscapes with a high number of species and important retreat areas for plant and animal diversity in Austria!

By regularly observing the development of indicator species, the meaning of different agri-environmental measures (ÖPUL) such as contractual nature conservation, organic farming (BIO) and environmentally friendly and biodiversity-promoting management (UBB) is made understandable and it is observed at farm level whether agricultural subsidies also have an effect on the area.

The nature conservation monitoring will show which type of management is well suited for the type of meadow under consideration and therefore leads to safe stocks of the observed indicator species. As a result, management requirements can be better evaluated on the basis of feedback from farmers and funding can be awarded in a targeted manner.

Participate

All farmers with (potentially) extensive meadows and pastures who take part in the agri-environmental measure ÖPUL “Organic farming (BIO)” or “Environmentally friendly and biodiversity-promoting management (UBB)” can take part. At the beginning there is an enrollment by an ecologist. It is agreed which indicator species are to be observed and counted annually. The participants then document the indicator species and the management of the meadow every year and enter the data on the online platform www.naturschutzmonitoring.at.

Project duration: until 2029

Information on participation:

• Hotline: +43 677 643 130 71
• Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Quotations of participants

„This year I deliberately left a patch of rambling bellflowers so that they could sow seeds. Now I am already curious whether they will be more next year!“

„This project is going places. My son wanted to reforest our rough pasture some time ago, because the fodder is worth nothing and mowing takes a lot of time. Since your expert showed him that there are a lot of rare animals and plants living in it, he hasn't said anything about it. He even helps me counting now.“

„What makes me particularly happy is that for once it is not about control or money, but about seeing and appreciating the beautiful aspects of our work.“

You can also follow the ÖKL on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for further information.

Project management

Barbara Steurer
Österreichisches Kuratorium für Landtechnik und Landentwicklung (ÖKL)
Gußhausstraße 6
1040 Wien, Austria
www.oekl.at

We are tracing the Sculptured Resin Bee!

Home of the Sculptured Resin Bee (Megachile sculpturalis, Smith 1853) is far away in Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan. In 2008, the Sculptured Resin Bee was discovered in southern France as the first introduced wild bee species in Europe. Since then, the bee has been particularly active and dispersed rapidly throughout Europe. Together, we track down the Sculptured Resin Bee in Austria. 

Report your observations via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on Instagram.

You can also scan this QR-Code to go directly to the website:

The look of the Asian bee is remarkable

The sculptured resin bee has a unique appearance:

© Felix Fornoff 2020

Where you can find the Sculptured Resin Bee

The sculptured resin bee nests in cavities in dead wood. They often inhabit artificial nesting sites, so-called "bee hotels". There, the females build nests and take care of their offspring. Such aids are necessary since it cannot drill holes in the wood on its own, even though the body size and powerful jaws might lead you to believe otherwise.

• Lanner 2018 Lanner 2018
• Seiwald 2019 Seiwald 2019
• Topitz 2019 Topitz 2019
•  

Females prefer to collect pollen from exotic plants, which were frequently introduced in Central Europe as ornamental trees and shrubs. These ornamental plants decorate gardens and parks, such as the Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum). As source of nectar, the sculptured resin bee often seeks out lavender or wisteria. Males of the Sculptured Resin Bee emerge earlier than females in the End of June until mid-July. Females appear a few weeks later and are active until about mid-September.

• Staggel 2019 Staggel 2019
• Redecker 2019 Redecker 2019
• Bila Dubaic 2020 Bila Dubaic 2020
•  

Introduced is not invasive

The sculptured resin bee is the first and so far, only invasive wild bee in Europe.

Citizen Scientists of this particular project provided important insights into the competitive behavior against native bees. Participants reported observations where females of the sculptured resin bee were evacuating preoccupied nests of native bees. Once they cleared out larvae and pupae, these females used the nests for their own offspring. Based on these observations combined with a recent study from France, the sculptured resin bee has to be considered as an invasive species.

Not every introduced species is per se a severe threat for native biodiversity. Every new species needs to be monitored closely in terms of potential consequences for its new environment. But if negative impacts are observable, the species must be considered as invasive.

Project aims

The monitoring program aims to locate the sculptured resin bee in Europe. We examine its rapid dispersal behavior, investigate its preferences in regard to plant and nesting site selection and to reconstruct its colonization history.

Additionally, we take a closer look at the genetics of the sculptured resin bee. With these lab studies we examine the bee’s immigration history. Based on our international network of experts, we aim answer various research questions like which microbiota colonizes the bee.

For more information, please watch our short clip:

This project also aims to sensitize the participants to the local fauna and get aware of wild bees and their protection. The citizen scientists get a feeling for the possible effects of intentionally and unintentionally introduced and invasive species. A new point of view is presented to the participants in regard to artificial nests and active interventions in ecological systems. Participants will be informed how simple actions can be taken to support wild bees and other insects. They will also become part of scientific processes and gain insight into research processes.

Our published results

Within the last few years, we studied the invasive bee together with our participants. We published the results in scientific articles by choosing Open Access Journals.

2020

The first results of the initiated citizen science monitoring program were published in 2020. Within only two years after starting the project, 111 new reports from Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria were recorded. The population progressed remarkably fast from year to year expanding its region geographically, but also ecologically. The distribution pattern indicates that Austria is situated in a rather young invasion stage so far. The article can be found here.

2021

We performed population genetic analyses including specimens collected in the framework of a citizen science project. The aim was to study the colonization history and investigate the degree of connectivity between bees across Europe. We detected multiple, independent introduction events of the species to the European continent. This article can be found here. 

For us, it was a special pleasure to publish an article describing the distribution of the invasive bee in Austria together with a Citizen Scientist. For the journal „Beiträge zur Entomofaunistik“ we introduced the sculptured resin bee as a new bee species for Austria. To read this article, you can click here (German).

  Spread of M. sculpturalis in Austria (2017-2020) © Lanner & Meyer 2020

In a review published in the journal BeeWorld, we describe the main characteristics of the sculptured resin bee, its life cycle and its current distribution in colonised regions. We discuss possible ecological impacts on native bees. We also explore the role of beekeepers in monitoring projects and argue why they are valuable participants in citizen science projects.
The review is accessible here.

2022

BeeRadar launched an international study consisting of 19 authors from all over the world: USA, China, France, Italy, Serbia, and Austria. Using complex model calculations (species distribution modelling), we identified regions that are colonised by the sculptured resin bee, and influencing factors for its spread. Most of the data was collected with the support of the public. Man-made landscape structures, such as road networks, settlements and ports and airports, facilitate the spread of the Sculptured Resin bee. Click here for the article.

Even though citizen science has its momentum in many western regions, it is a less explored research practice in Eastern Europe. Together with our colleagues from the University of Belgrade, we initiated a first ecological-focused citizen science project in Serbia. We present the currently known distribution of the sculptured resin bee in the Balkans and discuss the potential and challenges of participatory research and intercultural science communication in Eastern Europe.

Podcast episode

Project leader Julia Lanner was a guest on an episode of the Österreich forscht podcast "Wissen macht Leute" in August 2022 - anyone interested in learning more about the project can listen to the episode here (in German).

Citizen Science Seminar

In 2021, poject coordinator Julia Lanner held a lecture about BeeRadar as part of the lecture series "Citizen Science Seminar" at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU): "The making of 'Wanted - Asiatische Mörtelbiene'" (in German). At the end of this page you can watch the video recording of the lecture.

Project partners

• Inatura Erlebnis Naturschau GmbH
• Entomologische Verein Bern
• Naturschutzbund Österreich
• Naturbeobachtung.at
• Pollinature Beehome

This project of the Austrian Alpine Association - a biodiversity monitoring above the timberline - increases our knowledge about alpine animal and plant species, their habitats and about the interrelationships of our actions and the effects on this sensitive living environment. The collected data on the 20 animal and plant species contribute to scientific questions on biodiversity in the Alps.

Message

Which animals live and which plants grow in our mountains? Within the framework of "Vielfalt bewegt! Alpenverein from young to old" the Austrian Alpine Club investigates the most elevated habitats in Austria - a project for mountain enthusiasts and everyone who wants to become one!

This project overseen by the Austrian Alpine Club is planned as a long-term study and should contribute to the preservation and promotion of biological diversity in the Alps. Biodiversity monitoring in the highest habitats in Austria is intended to inspire people with an affinity for the mountains.

Like all citizen science projects, this project also depends on its voluntary helpers, who observe typical animal and plant species of the Alpine region over a longer period of time and condense and pass on their knowledge about the Alpine habitat.

Aims of the project

The purpose of monitoring is to develop appropriate measures on the basis of the knowledge gathered, which can reduce the decline of species and secure or improve habitats for endangered species in the long term. The consequences of climate change (migration of some species to higher regions or changes in food resources) can also be demonstrated in this way. On the one hand, distribution maps are to be generated to provide information on the occurrence of the individual species and, on the other hand, the data are to be made available for publications etc. on request.

The project offers mountaineers the opportunity to experience nature consciously and attentively again in contrast to summit attempt and pressure to perform.

The project "Vielfalt bewegt! Alpenverein from young to old" provides knowledge about alpine species and the connections to the conservation of biological diversity in alpine habitats in an age-appropriate form for children, youths, parents and grandparents. The pillar for the long-term continuation of the project idea is the intergenerational exchange about nature, its habitats and species. Parents and grandparents become multipliers. In the course of this, cooperation with "Alpenvereinsjugend", which has been active in education for sustainable development for a long time, is also strengthened.

• Alpine salamander Alpine salamander
• Small Apollo Small Apollo
• Mountain Arnica (Wolf's bane) Mountain Arnica (Wolf's bane)
• Alpine chough Alpine chough
• Mountain avens Mountain avens
• Identifying species Identifying species
• Alpine Azalea Alpine Azalea
• Identifying species II Identifying species II
• Identifying species III Identifying species III
• Spotted Nutcracker Spotted Nutcracker
•  

Procedure

Different indicator species, which have their habitat above the forest line, were selected on the basis of various criteria  - including alpine ptarmigan, mountain avens, oak spider or mountain azalea.

Observations are made at any time and on any hike, as the whim takes you!

Compact identification guides for the selected plants and animals should make it easier for the observers to track down the species during their hikes. Exciting and informative stories serve as a reminder. Data from nature observation, such as geographical location, altitude, weather or a description of the habitat of the indicator species, can then be entered in clearly structured questionnaires. As a matter of principle, observations are only made along existing hiking trails in order to conserve flora and fauna. 

To make monitoring a little easier, a handy mapping guide was designed that can easily be taken into the field in addition to the 20 revised identification guides. In the mapping guide, the monitoring is briefly introduced again and it is explained where, how and when the 20 species sought can best and most easily be found. Selected identification sheets as well as the mapping instructions can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. A continuously updated distribution map can be seen here. The nature diary presents 20 animal and plant species that are typical for the Alpine region and also describes many helpful tips and tricks for observing them.

To record the observations, you can either use the web portal "Diversity moves, Alpine Association" or the app of the project. You can take photos directly with your smartphone; your location is automatically determined by the GPS transmitter. This way, if the internet connection is up and running, the observation can be transmitted directly to the web portal. If there is no reception, the data is saved locally in the app and sent to the web portal as soon as a connection can be found again.

How can you participate?

To take part in "Diversity moves! Alpine Club from Young to Old", you can register for the project via the registration form on the website. As soon as the registration is completed, you will receive a confirmation from the project team and can get started right away.

Memo Game

Within the project "Diversity moves! Alpine Club from Young to Old" (Biodiversity Monitoring), a beautiful memo game with 32 pairs of cards has been created. The drawn illustrations show different alpine animal and plant species that have their habitat above the timberline. In the enclosed booklet, in addition to the game instructions, all species are explained and their special characteristics highlighted. Sustainably packaged in a handy cotton bag, the game takes up hardly any space.

© Birgit Kantner

With the support of the federal government and the European Union within the framework of the implementation of the Austrian Programme for Rural Development 2014-2020.

App for the scientific recording of Austrian butterflies

On behalf of Blühendes Österreich - BILLA gemeinnützige Privatstiftunga, butterfly expert Peter Huemer published a report on the dramatic state of the butterfly fauna in May 2016. In Europe, their number had fallen by half since 1990 and over 50 percent of Austria’s butterflies are acutely threatened with extinction according to the Red Lists. Butterfly habitats have been massively restricted by agricultural intensification, increasing urban sprawl and the drastic loss of species-rich flower meadows in general, and their disappearance, which has received little public attaention to this date, ist described by experts as a clear indication of the imbalance in the entire ecosystem.

Every photo counts

The foundation Blühendes Österreich and the Lower Austrian environmental movement “Natur im Garten" are calling for Austria's first butterfly census with the "Schmetterlinge Österreichs" app.

Whether garden owner or park visitor, farmer, mountain lover or hiker or simply nature lover and butterfly fan - every Austrian can make a contribution to recording the population of Austrian butterflies as a citizen scientist: The app contains around 160 identifiable butterfly species and 32 moths and enables butterfly observations to be reported with just a few clicks and without complicated technical applications. Using an integrated photo function, photos are uploaded to a gallery within seconds and made available to the community and researchers.

Austrian butterfly gallery

Users contribute to the largest Austrian butterfly gallery with their sightings and photos. In less than a second after creating a photo and a sighting report, the data is put online in a gallery and can be shared and discussed with the butterfly community. The gallery is visible in a desktop version as well as on a smartphone. The passion, performance and commitment of each user is made visible and their reports are scientifically evaluated. Making the work of users visible is a major concern for Blühendes Österreich and “Natur im Garten”.  

Identification forum

All butterfly lovers are invited to help users of the app with questions about identification or sightings. Blühendes Österreich and "Natur im Garten" seek to establish a lively and communicative butterfly forum with Austrian butterfly lovers. With the smartphone as a constant companion, the direct and simple connection to the community is given.

Citizen Science

By using the app and reporting sightings, each individual user contributes to the valuable recording of Austrian butterfly populations. Blühendes Österreich publishes the sightings as well as an annual evaluation (in cooperation with "Natur im Garten").

The proven experts Dr. Helmut Höttinger, Dr. Peter Huemer and DI Thomas Holzer have been recruited to provide scientific support and advice. Dr. Huemer is also on the board of the Blooming Austria Foundation.

Podcast episode (only available in German)

In November 2022, project coordinator Ines Lemberger was a guest on the Österreich forscht podcast "Wissen macht Leute" and provided many exciting insights into the project - you can listen to the episode here. 

Citizen Science Seminar (only available in German)

Ronald Würflinger, secretary general of Blühendes Österreich, gave a lecture on "Austria's Butterflies" as part of the "Citizen Science Seminar" lecture series at BOKU University in 2022: "Of Power of Community, Butterflies and Open Data". You can watch the video recording of the lecture at the bottom of this page.

Austria's Butterflies on Social Media

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Videos (only available in German)

Schmetterlings-App enthüllt

Zeig her deinen Schmetterlingsgarten

2. Runde: Zeig' her deinen Schmetterlingsgarten 2018

Ausgeflattert II - im Burgenland, Niederösterreich, der Steiermark und in Wien

Ausgeflattert III - in Kärnten, Oberösterreich, Salzburg, Tirol und Vorarlberg

• Scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) Scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)
• Painted lady (Vanessa cardui) Painted lady (Vanessa cardui)
• Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
• Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina)
• European peacock European peacock
• Small white Small white
• Marbled white (Melanargia galathea) Marbled white (Melanargia galathea)
• Common brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) Common brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
• Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus)
• Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia) Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
• Hipparchia hermione Hipparchia hermione
•  

The “Blick ins Dickicht” project is dedicated to the search for the smallest native dormouse – the hazel dormouse. Until now, only very little has been known about this rare small animal. In order to learn more about its way of life and also how best protect it in working forests, evidence of hazel dormice is being sought in the Wienerwald forest and in the Donauauen national park. There are many different ways to participate here.

Where are hazel dormice found?

The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is a type of rodent that lives in shrubs and bushes in the mixed forests of Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. Particularly important to this species is the availability of fruit-producing hedge plants and wood, such as hazelnut, brambles, honeysuckle, blackthorn and wild cherry.

A hidden lifestyle

The small, nocturnal dormouse is an omnivore. It eats, for example, seeds, buds and berries, as well as insects, small boneless animals and bird eggs. They are active from April to October, but hibernate during the winter months in nests that they build on the ground, often hidden under uprooted trees. Here, the hazel dormouse rolls into a ball and lowers its body temperature, heart rate and metabolism to a minimum.

Females have a litter of up to five once or twice a year and nurse them for around a month.

Hazel dormice are notably good climbers and are rarely on the ground during their active months.

Threats and protection

The hazel dormouse is protected in accordance with Annexe IV of the Fauna-Flora Habitat (FFH) guideline and is therefore among the most strictly protected species across Europe. The main cause of danger is loss of habitat and habitat fragmentation.

What are the goals of this project?

Due to the protection status according to Annexe IV of the FFH guideline, there is a reporting obligation in accordance with Article 17 of the FFH guideline. Despite this, Austria does not have any systematic categorisation and little is still known about the current state of the hazel dormouse. The goal of this project is therefore to improve the information base on the distribution, reproduction and population variations among dormice. Furthermore, the data that is gathered will also serve to coordinate management plans and silvicultural measures with considerations for the protection and growth of hazel dormouse populations.

How can I take part?

Opportunities for participation range from looking for traces of feeding on nuts to building and installing tracking tunnels to monitoring nesting boxes and thereby taking part in long-term monitoring of selected investigation areas of the Österreichischen Bundesforste in the Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve and National Park Donauauen.

Looking for traces of feeding on nuts

In autumn, you can find bitten seeds, from hazelnuts for example, under bushes and on the edge of forests. Traces of feeding left by dormice are very characteristic and therefore easy to identify. This method is thus ideally suited to providing evidence of the presence of hazel dormice, which is still unknown.

Building and installing tracking tunnels

These tracking tunnels, which are also easy for children to make, are installed in suitable places between ground level and chest height. Attracted by the bait, like some peanut butter, small animals such as hazel dormice will venture inside. Because the bait is placed on a mixture of cooking oil and activated charcoal, when leaving the tunnel, the animals will leave visible footprints on the paper strips. The footprints can then be used as proof.

Participating as a nesting box monitor

Nesting boxes that hazel dormice can use to build their nests will be installed in locations selected in advance by the project managers in the areas being investigated in Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve and National Park Donau-Auen. These nesting boxes will be observed by citizen scientists from April to October, during which time they will be checked in two-month intervals and inspected to see if there is a hazel dormouse inside.

Project management

Project manager for Wienerwald and Burgenland: Dr Claudia Kubista

Wienerwald Forest Management Unit

Pummergasse 10-12

3002 Purkersdorf

Phone: +43 (0)2231 63341-7173

Mobile: +43 (0)664 618 90 40

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Project manager for Donau-Auen project area: Birgit Rotter

National Park Donau-Auen

Schloss Eckartsau

2305 Eckartsau

Mobile: +43 (0)664 618 89 36

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Partner

Österreichische Bundesforste, Forstbetrieb Wienerwald

Biosphärenpark Wienerwald Management

Österreichische Bundesforste, Nationalparkbetrieb Donau-Auen

We invite urban community gardens, garden projects or similar garden initiatives to take part in this project and research alongside us. The goal of this project is to scientifically assess the potential risk of heavy metal contamination in crop plants in Vienna’s city gardens.

Background

Urban gardening has become increasingly popular over the last two decades. However, gardeners are often concerned about their crops being contaminated by heavy metals.

Plant access to heavy metals is strongly influenced by the soil properties and the plants being cultivated. Through targeted soil management, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of heavy metals transferring to plants.

We want to learn whether the heavy metal content in plants grown in one variant (e.g. a mix with compost) differs from that of plants grown in a control variant (untreated urban soil).

How do we want to test this?

We need you for this! Become a citizen scientist and conduct a “pan test” in your urban garden with spinach and/or radishes. Plant and soil samples will be collected from these tests and an analysis for heavy metals will then be carried out in our laboratory.

The entire gardening community will benefit from involvement in this project. Together, we can collect the following information about the location of the garden:

• Whether and to what extent your garden is polluted by heavy metals.
• If there is contamination, whether the transfer of these heavy metals to plants can be reduced by selected soil treatments.
• In addition, we will also work with you on site to determine soil and plant parameters, such as pH values, soil microbial activity and plant vitality. Through this, you can also receive more information about the condition of the soil on site and your soil treatment.

More information on the Heavy Metal City-Zen project can be found on the website.

Who can take part in the Heavy Metal City-Zen project?

• People who are involved in a community garden, garden project or similiar garden initiative.
• These gardens are in Vienna or an urban area surrounding Vienna.

What do I need to do to take part in the project?

Just send us an e-mail stating that you are interested in participating to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Project results

The results from the project are presented in the corresponding blog post (in German).

Project management: Andrea Watzinger –  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Scientific project management: Rebecca Hood-Nowotny –  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Institute of Soil Research
Department of Forest and Soil Sciences
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24 | 3430 Tulln

For updates, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The project was funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).