Austrian MAB-Committee at the Austrian Academy of Sciences Chair: Univ.-Prof.Mag.Dr. Georg Grabherr Executive Secretary: Mag.Dr. Günter Köck c/o Austrian Academy of Sciences INTERNATIONALE International Research Programmes FORSCHUNGSPROGRAMME Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2 1 010 Vienna Austria Tel: +43 1 51581 1271 Fax: +43 1 51581 1275 E -mail: [email protected] WWW: http://www.oeaw.ac.at REPORT ON AUSTRIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MAB PROGRAMME FOR THE PERIOD FROM 2010 – 2011 1. NATIONAL COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES AND FUNDING: In the period from 2010 to 2011 five meetings of the Austrian National Committee for MAB took place. The managers of the Austrian biosphere reserves (BRs) joined the meetings and reported about activities in their area and discussed future research strategies with the committee members. For the period from 2010 to 2011 (two years) the total funding for MAB, provided by the Austrian Ministry for Science and Research, is EURO 490.000,- = US$ 639.524,-1 1 Exchange rate per 17/04/2012 This funding is entirely used for research projects. 2. FUNDING CONTRIBUTION TO UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards: In response to the need expressed by the MAB International Co-ordinating Council (MAB-ICC) regarding mobilization of extra- budgetary funding in context of the MAB Young Scientist Award Scheme, particularly to raise the number of awards the Austrian National Committee for MAB decided to contribute the amount of US$ 20,000 to finance four additional MAB Young Scientists Research Awards for the UNESCO biennium 2010-2011. Expert meeting on “MAB Research Sites”: The Austrian National Committee for MAB has financed an Expert Meeting which had been held at UNESCO Headquarters on February 21st, 2011, regarding the proposed creation of a new MAB category of Support/study sites for the MAB Programme for those pre-Seville BRs which cannot meet the criteria of the Seville Strategy by 2013 but which demonstrate scientific and/or societal value for the MAB Programme and for which a Member State wishes to retain an international UNESCO designated status. The 1 meeting was attended by members of the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves, representatives of the Austrian MAB National Committee, and members of the UNESCO-MAB Secretariat. Mr. Günter Köck (Vice-Chair of the MAB Bureau and Executive Secretary of the Austrian MAB National Committee) was appointed Chairperson of the meeting. 3. CURRENT STATUS OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN AUSTRIA: The implementation of the BR Wienerwald in June 2005 has triggered a current boom of the biosphere reserve idea in Austria. Both the National Committee and the biosphere reserve managers have actively contributed to implement the Madrid Action Plan. Approved: 6 areas Alluvial area of the Danube near Vienna, now part of the “Nationalpark Donau- Auen”. Since decades this “first generation” BR is a very active research site. Lobau Triggered by plans of the City of Vienna to build a new housing area for thousands of people in the vicinity of the area discussions about a re-design of the BR Lobau have started. An extensive cross-border lake shared by Austria and Hungary. Three research projects dedicated to the re-design of this “first generation” BR were Neusiedlersee undertaken in the past years. The national committee hopes that all political decisions to transfer the area into a “post-Seville” BR will follow soonly. Small lake in the high alpine region of the Tyrolean Stubaier Alps and the Gossenköllesee world´s smallest BR. “First generation” BR. A transect zone in the Ötztaler Alps, reaching from timberline to the nival zone. Triggered by discussion in the MAB committee to drop the BR Gurgler Kamm Gurgler Kamm from the WNBR the management has launched a feasibility study for a re- zonation of the BR. After several consultations with stakeholders from Southern Tyrol there are promising plans to create a new trans-boundary BR with Italy. In Western Austria, reaching from mountain river alluvia, mountain farmlands to high alpine peaks; this parks is designed and implemented according to the Seville Strategy. The periodic review report has recently been accepted by the Großes Walsertal Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee recommended that the site is considered as a model site which practices should be shared within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The Vienna Woods are the largest contiguous area of deciduous woodland in Central Europe. The area is situated in close vicinity to the city of Vienna. The Wienerwald location of such a large area of woodland on the outskirts of a major city is unique. Implemented according to the Seville Strategy. Submitted: 1 area The area consists of a representative example of inner-alpine landscapes with Salzburger Lungau and high mountains and deep valleys. Approval of the nomination is expected for Kärntner Nockberge July 2012. In planning stage (planning along the requirements of the Seville Strategy): two areas Drava alluvia; trans-boundary biosphere reserve (Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Danube/Drava/Mura Hungary, Serbia). The Austrian MAB Committee is actively involved in the international Coordination Board. Including alluvial forests, sand dunes and halophyte communities along the March-Thaya rivers March (= Morava) and Thaya (= Dyje) in Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia; (= Moravia) planning dropped for the moment. Planning in statu nascendi (regions suitable for implementation of a biosphere reserve): six areas Dürrenstein/Ötscherland Kalkalpen These areas are mountain regions of „Alpine“ character in different parts of Koralm Austria. Like Großes Walsertal these are regions without good opportunities for Tennengebirge winter tourism. Karwendel Wachau Part of the Danube valley in Lower Austria; important wine-making region The area situated in the western part of Upper Austria is the largest part of the Sauwald Bohemian Massif south of the Danube. 2 4. CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF MAB: According to the new research agenda for the Austrian MAB Programme, and in response to the priorities set by the International MAB Council, the Austrian National MAB- Committee has focused its future research predominantly on the needs of the biosphere reserves in Austria, but also to benefit from BRs as “living laboratories” for studying, testing out and demonstrating integrated management of land, water, and biodiversity. In To deepen the involvement of Austrian expertise in international MAB research, the MAB national committee started to fund international research cooperations with BRs and BR projects in foreign countries. In the period from 2010 - 2011 18 research projects were funded by the Austrian MAB Programme. Project Title Coordinator Perspective LOBAU 2020: Exploring management options of a heavily used urban biosphere reserve confronted with new urban developments in its neighbourhood A. Arnberger considering a restricted potential for ecosystem development Towards integrated ecological spatial planning on multiple scales for the Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve and its functional environment: a new approach to the F. Reimoser management of conflicts between humans and wildlife Monitoring of biocultural diversity in the Biosphere Reserve "Großes Walsertal": The C.R. Vogl use and management of biodiversity of crops, cultivars and wild gathered species Biosphere Reserve Nockberge – Conception and implementation of an integrative E.C.O. – M. monitoring system (BRIA - NOC) Jungmeier Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services as scientific foundation for the sustainable T. Wrbka implementation of the redesigned Biosphere Reserve “Neusiedler See” Die Wirkung einer Idee – am Beispiel des Biosphärenpark Wienerwald in der E. Gehmacher Gemeinde St. Andrä-Wördern Diversität und Naturschutzwert der Wiesen und Trockenrasen im Biosphärenpark W. Willner Wienerwald – Pilotstudie Online Research and Monitoring Database for Biosphere Reserves in Austria. E.C.O. – H. Research topic: How can the design and management of BRs and similar facilities be Kirchmeier improved? (OREMO) „Learnscape Biosphere Reserve“: From outdoor learning opportunities towards G. Hornsteiner integrative education for sustainable development (ESD) Reconciling ecological, sociological and economic interests in mountain forests-case R. Jandl Study Gurgler Kamm (ECOSOC Cuvee) "Strengthening Community in a reframed Regional": Social Capital in the Großes J. Stötter/F. Walsertal - current status, future potentials and lessons for Biosphere Reserve Borsdorf Management (SCRR) Diversität und Naturschutzwert der Wiesen und Trockenrasen im Biosphärenpark W. Willner Wienerwald - Pilotstudie Evaluating the zonation of the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald: How well does the W. Willner conservation zone contribute to biodiversity conservation? Local residents’ views on the Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve ("Biosphere People") R. Eder 40 Years MAB Program – Man and the Biosphere School Twinning 2011 C. Diry International cooperation Advanced Geophysics for the Protection of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve K. Motschka Outlining a sustainable future for the island of Samothraki (Greece) as a MAB S. Singh reserve, and creating a regional showcase Biosphere Reserves in Colombia - status, information and improvements A. Borsdorf 3 Further details can be found at the homepage of the Austrian MAB Programme (http://www.oeaw.ac.at/english/forschung/programme/mab.html). 5. OTHER ACTIVITIES: The MAB Committee has provided financial support for activities of the Austrian BRs in the context of the International