Styrian researchers:

Graz researchers record rapid extinction of species

The colorful European Roller is as good as extinct in Styria.

(Bild: APA/Michael Tiefenbach)

Two researchers from Joanneum Research are making an important contribution to the protection of Styrian biodiversity with new measuring methods: meadows, forests and moors can be examined from the air using "remote sensing". They are the habitats of native animals, more and more of which are on the "Red List".

A new Europe-wide database recently caused a stir: Biodiversity on green spaces is declining rapidly - even in Austria, well-known plants such as the margarite and meadow sage are disappearing from meadows. "Insect species are also declining dramatically, although they are very important as the basis of the food chain," says Manuela Hirschmugl. Why does she know this? Hirschmugl conducts research into biodiversity monitoring for Joanneum Research and the University of Graz - namely from the air.