AlpsLife: Towards the integration of a transnational Alpine biodiversity monitoring

Alpine biodiversity is under increasing pressure from climate change and intensified land use. A comprehensive, Alps-wide monitoring system is needed to efficiently and comprehensively visualize these changes and readily implement targeted actions to promote conservation. Identifying conservation priorities starts with analyzing biotic and abiotic data, management practices, and by identifying biodiversity hotspots. Despite the availability of data at local or national level, examining population trends and distributions across the Alps remains challenging due to transnational fragmentation and varying methodology during data collection, preventing a complete understanding of the Alpine biodiversity’s status.

In this framework and since its launch in September 2024, the AlpsLife project, led by the Institute for Alpine Environment at Eurac Research, has made significant progress in gathering information about biodiversity monitoring methods, and the exact geographic references of taxon-specific sampling locations within the AlpsLife perimeter, which includes the Alpine Convention Area and a 50 km administrative boundary around it.

With 12 partners from six Alpine countries (France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Slovenia) and a range of scientific and political observers, AlpsLife seeks to identify regions where biodiversity data is lacking, highlighting the need for substantial long-term monitoring initiatives in these areas. In addition, the project aims to establish a common baseline by collecting data on species distribution and abundance, which can facilitate comprehensive interpretations of biodiversity trends across national borders, ultimately improving collaborative and efficient conservation efforts.

Eurac in action: How to take a step forward?

Eurac’s contribution spans four core actions of the project, including:

• Mapping land-use and land-cover indicators, and develop interoperable spatial datasets;
• Identifying taxon-based indicators and cumulative indices that readily respond to land use and climate change;
• Collecting information about commonly used biodiversity monitoring schemes in force across the Alpine Protected Areas;
• Integrating the project’s outcomes in a policy framework through stakeholders’ engagement and governance analysis.

Selecting and harmonizing indices to evaluate the status of Alpine biodiversity

While some Alpine research groups have developed (or are developing) taxon-specific biodiversity indices for certain animals (see Farmland Bird Index, etc.); they are either focused on species commonly found at lower elevations or only include geographically fragmented information. Moreover, creating representative indices for mammals and pollinators remains highly challenging due to complex ecologies, data gaps, and methodology differences in data collection. To bridge the gaps between existing monitoring schemes, it becomes crucial to select a taxa-based dataset of indicators and indices that are representative of the whole European Alps. This process involves understanding which species and animal groups are currently being monitored, and the legal framework normally in use for data sharing.

In this context, the Institute for Alpine Environment is readily working on targeted questionnaires to identify:

• The pollinating insects, birds, mammals and flora currently being monitored;
• The monitoring schemes and management measures in place across the Alps;
• The areas where taxon-specific long-term monitoring programs are lacking.

The surveys will provide valuable insights into the legal framework for monitoring efforts, the groups or species being monitored, the field monitoring methodologies currently in use, the specimens’ identification techniques, data availability and storage practices, and the overall financial and administrative requirements for monitoring biodiversity.

Once this information is collected, the Institute hopes to reveal whether sufficient data exists to propose a representative taxon-specific indicator across the European Alps and highlight which protected areas are implementing specific management measures.

Moreover, by combining an expert and a data-based approach while selecting taxon-specific indicators and cumulative indices, more information about management practices currently in force across Alpine Protected Areas will be available and will provide solid and efficient tools to efficiently track the alpine ecosystem health.

Looking ahead: towards an Alpine-wide data management governance

Eurac Research aims to deliver practical, science-based tools to provide representative biodiversity indices and data management practices, enabling policymakers and protected area managers to effectively preserve Alpine biodiversity. By maintaining a regular exchange with the Alpine Convention, and engaging with EUSALP, we can enhance the Alpine region’s role in achieving both European and global biodiversity targets.

You can explore all results, activities and events of the project on our website (AlpsLife website).

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