Snowbeds

Soil invertebrates represent a central link in the soil structure, as their activities influence nutrient cycling, water balance and soil structure. In soils above the alpine treeline, conditions for these animals are often unfavourable due to low temperatures and the short growing season; however, despite their importance for the functionality of the soil ecosystem, little attention has been paid to them so far. Snowbeds, which represent a steep snowmelt gradient, are very suitable for studying the effects of climate change. As part of the long-term monitoring project of the Hohe Tauern National Park (Austria), a repeat of the soil mesofauna module will take place in 2022 (after 2017).