Totschnig R, Fuchs S (2013) Mountain torrents: quantifying vulnerability and assessing uncertainties.
Eng Geol. 155: 31-44

More information see http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article

Project partners of “NATURE EXPERIENCE” have prepared a bilingual brochure (German and Slovenian) with quality standards for nature guides in protected areas. Objective of the brochure is to support protected areas with:
• improving the quality level of nature guided tours
• providing the nature guides with feedback information
• supporting protected areas with exchange of experience at nature guiding

The brochure is divided into two parts: the first are recommendations for nature guided tours in protected areas and the second part consists of two questionnaires (qualitative and quantitative) for evaluation of the nature guides and guided tours.

The brochure is also available as a PDF document.

Peak Oil and the following resource shortages mean an epoch break, which is comparable with dimension of the transition from medieval to modern times. As it was at that time also now a climate change is playing, but this time course caused by the fossil system of capitalism, an essential role. At the same time social struggles are increasing. The multiple crises of capitalism include energy supply for food, the profit production, the social aspect, which depends in capitalism from profit production and the political system. This proves to be less and less able to find meaningful answers to the system crisis.

More information see: Sustainable Austria - Save our Surface.pdf

R. Kaitna, M. Chiari, M. Kerschbaumer, H. Kapeller, J. Zlatic-Jugovic, M. Hengl, J. Huebl

Floods including intensive bedload transport represent a severe hazard to the often densely populated alluvial fans of small Alpine watersheds. In order to minimize the risk of future inundation, an existing bedload deposition area on the fan upstream of the village Vorderberg in southern Austria is planned for reconstruction. The suggested concept for protection measures includes dividing the area into three similar sections of reduced slope. The three sections are to be separated by a block ramp. To test this concept and to optimize the sedimentation process, an analysis was performed by using both a physical scale model (1:30) and a numerical simulation tool (SETRAC). Four configurations for the section-outlet were tested based on three flood scenarios. The results support the general protection concept and suggest a minimum construction configuration, including a woody debris filter.

More information: Publication.pdf

NATURE EXPERIENCE project partners have prepared a bilingual handbook (German and Slovenian) for planning and implementation of innovative infrastructure in protected areas. This manual describes recommendations how to implement nature trails, educational trails, nature areas etc. innovatively and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the handbook consists of best practice examples, a checklist for evaluation, a bibliography and a list of existing infrastructure in the participating regions in Carinthia, Styria and Slovenia.

The handbook is also available as a PFD document.

More about the project: http://www.natureexperience.net

Synopsis of the Red List of endangered biotope types in Austria.
112 pages, numerous color illustrations, paperback.

Lebensraumvielfalt_Bestellkarte.pdf

Have you ever dived into the cold river during a hot summer day and do your thoughts leave with the eternal flow of water? For sure you know hop and wine, apple and pear, stinging nettle and ground elder – but did you also know that they all are creatures of the floodplain? Can you imagine that in Lower Austria fished sturgeons were exported once to France or that in the Austrian Danube segment in 2007 about 13 million tonnes of goods have been moved? Have you known that the Danube once was flowing into the Mediterranean Sea and that only in the Corinthian Mellte were operated at that time about 650 house mills and saw mills? This book presents the rivers of Austria in the centre, shows their beauty and variety, their quality and the added value which they provide to us, and explains the complex systems of effect in the river basin.

Gregory Egger/Klaus Michor/Susanne Muhar/Beatrice Bednar (Hrsg.): Flüsse in Österreich - Lebensadern für Mensch, Natur und wirtschaft. - 320 Seiten, fest gebunden, vierfarbig; € 39,90/sfr 67,90; ISBN 978-3-7065-4670-6.