Tyrolean Alps Research Articles

Linking viticultural climatic indices to grape phenology in the South Tyrolean Alps

Climate indices based on heat accumulation, e.g. the Winkler index, are widely used to define the climatic niches for vines. In this study, we investigate how a combined use of high-resolution (25 m) climate index maps and phenology records from 30 vineyards in South Tyrol (in the Italian Alps) can help to (i) assess viticultural suitability across a mountainous landscape and (ii) estimate the timing of physiological processes of Pinot Noir development (ripening and must weight) at various sites across the region. First, the best interpolation method is chosen (from multiple linear regression (MLR), regression kriging or support vector regression) to create maps of climate indices averaged over the time period 1991-2010. Second, correlation is calculated between the timing of phenological stages of Pinot Noir for the year 2017 and various climate indicators, such as temperature-based indices (Winkler, Huglin, Biologically Active Degree Days, Cool Night, Fregoni) and average (GST), minimum and maximum temperature over the growing season. The MLR method is shown to yield the best interpolations of the climate indices across the complex terrain of the study area. The Winkler and GST indices correlate most precisely with the late-season phenological events of the study sites, and are thus the most predictive. These findings demonstrate the potential of climatic maps to effectively define suitable areas for grape growing and estimate ripening dates in South Tyrol.

Exposure dating of a pronounced glacier advance at the onset of the late-Holocene in the central Tyrolean Alps

A two-phased moraine system in the high Alpine valley of Lisenser Längental in the Stubai Alps of western Austria is located in an intermediate morphostratigraphic position constrained by ‘Egesen Stadial’ (Younger Dryas) moraines down valley and ‘Little Ice Age’ (‘LIA’) positions (modern times) up valley. The equilibrium line altitude (ELA) was about 50 m lower than during the ‘LIA’ when applying an accumulation area ratio of 0.67. Exposure dating of boulders with 10Be yields a mean age of 3750 ± 330 years for the more extensive outer moraine system and a single age of 3140 ± 280 years for the inner one. The ages correspond well to the ‘Loebben oscillation’, a sequence of multi-decadal to multi-centennial cooling phases at the onset of the late-Holocene, also recognized in other Alpine records. The climatic downturn was severe enough to cause small to medium-sized Alpine glaciers in the central Alps to advance significantly beyond their ‘LIA’ extent, but too short to trigger a similar reaction with large glaciers.

The Tyrolean Alps LTSER platform – providing scientific insights for better management of protected areas

The Tyrolean Alps LTSER platform – providing scientific insights for better management of protected areas

Funnel-shaped surface depressions — Indicator or accelerant of rapid glacier disintegration? A case study in the Tyrolean Alps

Alpine glaciers have been retreating at extreme and historically unprecedented rates. While the general course of regional retreat rates reflects long-term climatic change, individual extreme events are closely related to the geomorphological settings and processes of the specific glacier. Nevertheless, these extreme events also influence the regional means and might be an important feedback mechanism accelerating the response of glaciers to climate change. In 2009, during the recent disintegration of the terminus of Gepatschferner (46°52′30″N, 10°45′25″E), a shallow circular depression appeared at the glacier tongue with a decrease of surface ice flow velocity to almost nil. In 2015 the area was ice-free. During a heavy precipitation event in August 2012, a subglacial sediment layer of >10m was flushed out, which accelerated the subsidence of the ice surface.The development of this 15 to 30m deep depression was monitored with a combination of methods in high detail, including direct ablation measurements and a time series of seven high-resolution airborne laser DEMs, plus recordings of ice flow velocity and surface elevation with DGPS. The thickness of ice and sediment layers was measured with vibroseismic soundings in 2012 and 2013. Similar developments were observed at three other glaciers with extreme retreat rates. Our investigation suggests that this mechanism has a major impact on and can be read as an indicator of a nonlinear increased response of glaciers to climate change.

Differences in urbanization degree and consequences on the diversity of conventional vs. rapidly mutating Y-STRs in five municipalities from a small region of the Tyrolean Alps in Austria

In this study we set out to test at a micro-geographic scale for the potential effects of differences in urbanization degree on Y-chromosomal diversity and the paternal lineage differentiation of “conventional” and rapidly-mutating (RM) Y-STR markers. To avoid systematic underrepresentation of common lineages, 551 male samples were collected under a sampling regime allowing for the inclusion of paternal relatives. All participants came from a small, topographically highly structured, yet culturally homogeneous settlement area in the Tyrolean Alps of Austria, a region that is characterized by a longstanding coexistence of communities differing considerably in size and connection. The study participants reported provenance in one of the three rural villages Alpbach, Brandenberg, and Wildschönau – all being separated by topographical barriers from each other – or in one of the two more urban-like and better connected municipalities Kitzbühel and St. Johann in Tirol. When compared with the sample pools from the two larger communities, the three small villages showed distinctly higher rates of self-reported patrilocality since the paternal grandfather (85–95% vs. ∼42%), and featured evidence for a considerably higher proportion of close and cryptic paternal relationships among the study participants. We observed marked differences in the Y-SNP haplogroup frequency spectra and statistically significant Y-STR-based FST distances among the municipality samples, suggesting population sub-structuring along municipality borders. While for the two larger settlements a widely used “core” set of 17 conventional Y-STRs (Yfiler) provided reasonably high lineage resolution (Ĥ: 0.99515±0.00256, 0.99739±0.00224), a markedly reduced haplotype diversity was seen in samples from the rural villages (Ĥ: 0.96126±0.00701–0.98515±0.00278). This difference largely diminished when instead using a set of 13 RM Y-STRs (Ĥ: 0.99180±0.00380–0.99922±0.00187, for all groups). Most notably, in the Alpbach sample the number of different haplotypes rose from 42 (Yfiler) to 99 (RM Y-STRs) and the proportion of matching haplotypes dropped from nearly 4% (Yfiler) to about 0.4% (RM Y-STRs) of the pairwise comparisons. Consistent results were obtained with a reduced version of the dataset, being devoid of inferred close male relatives up to the degree of first cousins. Finally, consequences potentially arising from a gain in lineage-resolution for population reference-sample size requirements will be addressed briefly.

Local perceptions in climate change debates: insights from case studies in the Alps and the Andes

The importance of integrating local perspectives into international debates about climate change has received increasing attention. Local perspectives on the impacts of climate change often focus on issues of loss and harm and support the widely recognized need for global responses to climate change as suggested by scientists and international institutions. Here we argue that local perspectives need to be addressed not only from outside communities but also from inside in order to understand people’s responses to climate change: their concerns, their understanding of themselves as members of particular groups and their position in the world, their view on responsibilities for causing climate change, and their perceptions of possible responses. The ethnographic work at two study sites, one in Carhuaz, Cordillera Blanca, Peru, and one in Stilfs, South Tyrolean Alps, Italy, identifies dominant perceptions on climate change at each site with a particular focus on glacier retreat. The case studies show that the view on the need for global action as response to climate change is not necessarily shared throughout the world, and thus presents a challenge to global collaboration.

Analysis and modelling of snow bulk density in the Tyrolean Alps

An extensive collection of in-situ snow measurements is used to characterize snow conditions in the entire elevation range of the alpine area of Tyrol, Austria. Regularly observed snow station data are evaluated with respect to mean snow density–time curves of the period 1952–2010. Dependent on the observed snow depth (HS), the snow bulk density (ρ) is statistically modelled for different elevation zones and snow-climate regions. Model improvements allow daily estimates of ρ, and introducing an additional parameter accounting for the decrease of bulk density in relation to new snow data further improved the results. This paper describes the development of an additional model for the glacierized sub-region of the Tyrolean Alps, based on snow course data from the peak snow accumulation period in April/May. The resulting relative errors of the different models range from 13 to 25% for single stations distributed over the entire investigation area and from 5 to 20% for annual snow courses in glacierized catchments. Regression models are most accurate at high elevations and for deep snowpacks. The transferability of the presented models is shown between Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

Diversification of Visitor's Activities and Development of Small Towns in the Tyrolean Alps

Diversification of Visitor's Activities and Development of Small Towns in the Tyrolean Alps

Soil warming increased whole-tree water use of Pinus cembra at the treeline in the Central Tyrolean Alps.

This study quantified the effect of soil warming on sap flow density (Qs) of Pinus cembra L. at the treeline in the Central Tyrolean Alps. To enhance soil temperature we installed a transparent roof construction above the forest floor around six trees. Six other trees served as controls in the absence of any manipulation. Roofing enhanced growing season mean soil temperature by 1.6, 1.3 and 1.0 °C at 5, 10 and 20 cm soil depth, respectively, while soil water availability was not affected. Sap flow density (using Granier-type thermal dissipation probes) and environmental parameters were monitored throughout three growing seasons. During the first year of treatment, no warming effect was detected on Qs. However, soil warming caused Qs to increase significantly by 11 and 19% above levels in control trees during the second and third year, respectively. This effect appeared to result from warming-induced root production, a reduction in viscosity and perhaps an increase also in root hydraulic conductivity. Hardly affected were leaf-level net CO2 uptake rate and conductance for water vapour, so that water-use efficiency stayed unchanged as confirmed by needle δ(13)C analysis. We conclude that tree water loss will increase with soil warming, which may alter the water balance within the treeline ecotone of the Central Austrian Alps in a future warming environment.

Outcome of avalanche victims with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Study backgroundPrevious studies focused on the outcome of avalanche victims with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) after long duration of burial (>35min); the outcome of victims with short duration (≤35min) remains obscure. Aim of the studyTo investigate outcome of avalanche victims with OHCA. MethodsRetrospective analysis of avalanche victims with OHCA between 2008 and 2013 in the Tyrolean Alps. Results55 avalanche victims were identified, 32 of whom were declared dead after extrication without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), all with long duration of burial. In the remaining 23 CPR was initiated at scene; three were partially and 20 completely buried, nine of whom suffered short and 11 long duration of burial. All nine victims with short duration of burial underwent restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at scene, four of them after bystander CPR, five after advanced life support by the emergency physician. Two patients with ROSC after short duration of burial and bystander CPR survived to hospital discharge with cerebral performance category 1. None of the 11 victims with long duration of burial survived to hospital discharge, although six were transported to hospital with ongoing CPR and three were supported with extracorporeal circulation. ConclusionsIn this case series survival with favourable neurological outcome was observed in avalanche victims with short duration of burial only if bystander CPR was immediately performed and ROSC achieved. Strategies for reducing avalanche mortality should focus on prompt extrication from the snow and immediate bystander CPR by uninjured companions.

Persistent organic pollutant accumulation in seasonal snow along an altitudinal gradient in the Tyrolean Alps.

The snow capacity for storage of a large number of pollutants such as polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE), including BDE-209, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs; α- and γ-isomers), endosulfans (α- and β-isomers and the sulphate residue) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), in a steep altitudinal gradient (1,101-2,500 m above sea level (asl); maximum planar distance 16 km) in a typical European mountain system, the Tyrolean Alps (Austria), was studied here for the first time. Snow samples representing the whole snowpack accumulated at the end of the cold season were collected in all cases. The snow specific surface area (SSA) of these samples, 140-260 cm(2) g(-1), was characteristic of aged snow with low retention capacity. PAHs were the pollutant group in highest concentrations (500-8,400 pg L(-1)). PCBs and PBDEs were found in concentrations of 460-900 and 8.5-290 pg L(-1), respectively. From the fourteen investigated BDE congeners, only BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100 and BDE-209 were found above the detection limit, which is consistent with the results found in the only previous study in the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) which also involved a steep gradient (1,683-2,634 m asl; maximum planar distance 5 km; Arellano et al. 2011) and confirm the capacity of these low-volatile compounds for long-range transport from distant sources. HCB was found in a concentration range of 34-55 pg L(-1). Snow deposition fluxes of PCB-118, PCB-153, γ-HCH, α-endosulfan and BDE-47 showed statistically significant correlations with altitude, involving higher values at higher elevation. This trend may reflect cold trapping effects in view of the snow particle contents and SSA values. However, these gradients were only significant for this limited number of compounds within each pollutant group which may be explained by differences in physical-chemical properties of the compounds and the limited capacity of the aged snow for organic pollutant retention. In some other cases, for example benzo[a]pyrene, the observed vertical gradients may reflect higher preservations at lower temperatures.

Glycosylated proteins preserved over millennia: N-glycan analysis of Tyrolean Iceman, Scythian Princess and Warrior.

An improved understanding of glycosylation will provide new insights into many biological processes. In the analysis of oligosaccharides from biological samples, a strict regime is typically followed to ensure sample integrity. However, the fate of glycans that have been exposed to environmental conditions over millennia has not yet been investigated. This is also true for understanding the evolution of the glycosylation machinery in humans as well as in any other biological systems. In this study, we examined the glycosylation of tissue samples derived from four mummies which have been naturally preserved: – the 5,300 year old “Iceman called Oetzi”, found in the Tyrolean Alps; the 2,400 year old “Scythian warrior” and “Scythian Princess”, found in the Altai Mountains; and a 4 year old apartment mummy, found in Vienna/Austria. The number of N-glycans that were identified varied both with the age and the preservation status of the mummies. More glycan structures were discovered in the contemporary sample, as expected, however it is significant that glycan still exists in the ancient tissue samples. This discovery clearly shows that glycans persist for thousands of years, and these samples provide a vital insight into ancient glycosylation, offering us a window into the distant past.

Snow cover characteristics in a glacierized catchment in the Tyrolean Alps - Improved spatially distributed modelling by usage of Lidar data

Summary In the present paper multi-temporal Lidar (Light detection and ranging) data and Landsat images are used to assess the spatial variability of snow at the end of the accumulation season (April–May) in a glacierized catchment (167 km 2 ) in Tyrol, Austria. Snow cover characteristics in the Tyrolean Alps have been analysed using regular snow measurements and snow course data. Results are used for the conversion of basin-wide Lidar snow depth into snow water equivalent (SWE). When considering different possible error sources, uncertainties of the mean basin-wide SWE obtained from Lidar are between 12% and 16%. Available distributions of SWE and snow covered area (SCA) in the catchment are used for the calibration and validation of the fully distributed hydrological model SES. The study focuses especially on the simulation of snow accumulation and the corresponding variability of snow. Observed accumulation patterns are related to the topography (elevation, slope and curvature), and according parameter settings of the hydrological model are derived by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The majority of the model runs simulates SCA for various datasets with an accuracy of 85–95%. The paper demonstrates that using SWE data is superior to SCA for constraining model parameter ranges. Results at the watershed scale are in agreement with respect to the total water volume of the snow cover with deviations lower than 5% between SWE from Lidar or from the hydrological model.

Ongoing changes at the long-term monitoring sites of Gurgler Kamm Biosphere Reserve, Tyrol, Austria

By means of a long-term monitoring project, species diversity and abundance were analysed at 16 sites along an altitudinal gradient from 1 960 m to 2 830 m in Gurgler Kamm Biosphere Reserve (LTER site of the platform Tyrolean Alps; Obergurgl, Ötztal). A total of 108 permanent plots of 1 m² were established. The main aim was to observe effects of time in untreated sites and impacts of grazing exclusion on species number and frequency of functional groups in different subalpine and alpine plant communities. Grazing exclusion led to decreases in species numbers. Significant positive grazing effects were detected for dwarf shrubs and legumes in the subalpine zone and for herbs in the upper alpine zone. Within the untreated sites, species numbers and frequencies changed significantly with time, involving almost all functional groups. The lichen heath was the most stable community. Here, only graminoids showed an increasing trend. All in all, the intermediate disturbance hypothesis was found to be valid also for high altitudes. A continuation of the traditional grazing regime is therefore suggested for the entire Gurgler Kamm Biosphere Reserve.

Sap flow characteristics and whole-tree water use of Pinus cembra across the treeline ecotone of the central Tyrolean Alps

Whole-tree water use of nine Pinus cembra trees was estimated in the treeline ecotone of the Central Austrian Alps. Sap flow density using Granier-type thermal dissipation probes and environmental parameters was monitored along an elevational gradient from the forest limit up to treeline and finally mediating the krummholz limit throughout two growing seasons. Normalized sap flow density (Q s) was significantly correlated with solar radiation (R s) and vapor pressure deficit (D) throughout the treeline ecotone. Multiple regression analysis indicated that at the forest limit and at treeline, D had a similar effect on Q s than R s. At the krummholz limit by contrast, D had a greater effect on Q s than R s due to partially stomatal closure and wind-induced clustering of the needles, which impaired their response to available irradiance. Whole-tree water use scaled to crown surface area estimated for an entire growing (172 days) declined from 449 mm at the forest limit to 274 mm at treeline and was 251 mm at the krummholz limit, which is within the values estimated for other European forest ecosystems. Nevertheless, the observation above the forest limit in the central Tyrolean Alps tree transpiration scaled to crown surface area is comparable to the water use of adjacent low-stature vegetation, which should also be taken into account when forecasting potential effects of global change on the water balance of the treeline ecotone.

UV-Induced Effects on Growth, Photosynthetic Performance and Sunscreen Contents in Different Populations of the Green Alga Klebsormidium fluitans (Streptophyta) from Alpine Soil Crusts

Members of the green algal genus Klebsormidium (Klebsormidiales, Streptophyta) are typical components of biological soil crust communities worldwide, which exert important ecological functions. Klebsormidium fluitans (F. Gay) Lokhorst was isolated from an aeroterrestrial biofilm as well as from four different biological soil crusts along an elevational gradient between 600 and 2350 m in the Tyrolean and South Tyrolean Alps (Austria, Italy), which are characterised by seasonally high solar radiation. Since the UVtolerance of Klebsormidium has not been studied in detail, an ecophysiological and biochemical study was applied. The effects of controlled artificial ultraviolet radiation (UVR; <9 W m(-2) UV-A, <0.5 W m(-2) UV-B) on growth, photosynthetic performance and the capability to synthesise mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) as potential sunscreen compounds were comparatively investigated to evaluate physiological plasticity and possible ecotypic differentiation within this Klebsormidium species. Already under control conditions, the isolates showed significantly different growth rates ranging from 0.42 to 0.74 μm day(-1). The UVR effects on growth were isolate specific, with only two strains affected by the UV treatments. Although all photosynthetic and respiratory data indicated strain-specific differences under control conditions, UV-A and UV-B treatment led only to rather minor effects. All physiological results clearly point to a high UV tolerance in the K. fluitans strains studied, which can be explained by their biochemical capability to synthesize and accumulate a putative MAA after exposure to UV-A and UV-B. Using HPLC, a UV-absorbing compound with an absorption maximum at 324 nm could be identified in all strains. The steady-state concentrations of this Klebsormidium MAA under control conditions ranged from 0.09 to 0.93 mg g(-1) dry weight (DW). While UV-A led to a slight stimulation of MAA accumulation, exposure to UV-B was accompanied by a strong but strain-specific increase of this compound (5.34-12.02 mg(-1) DW), thus supporting its function as UV sunscreen. Although ecotypic differences in the UVR response patterns of the five K. fluitans strains occurred, this did not correlate with the altitude of the respective sampling location. All data indicate a generally high UV tolerance which surely contributes to the aeroterrestrial lifestyle of K. fluitans in soil crusts of the alpine regions of the European Alps.

Reprint of: High resolution mapping of Y haplogroup G in Tyrol (Austria)

The distribution of Y-chromosomal haplogroup G2a (G-P15) in present-day paternal lineages in Tyrol (Austria) was analyzed by applying a high-density regional sampling scheme that also covered remote mountain areas. There is evidence from ancient genetic data for a high frequency of Y-chromosomal haplogroup G in prehistoric populations of Central Europe, whilst nowadays levels well below 10% are routinely observed. A population sample comprising ∼3700 specimens was analyzed for Y-chromosomal variation by genotyping Y-SNPs and Y-STRs. The set of binary markers included nine SNPs specific for sub-lineages of haplogroup G. The frequency of haplogroup G in 2379 unrelated men born in Tyrol amounted to 11.3%. Nearly all of these Y chromosomes belonged to haplogroup G2a. The main sub-haplogroup within G2a was defined by the SNP L497 (G2a3b1c) and reached a population frequency of 8.6%. Although this average level is higher than reported for other countries the geographical distribution of haplogroup G-L497 showed a differentiated pattern with a clustered distribution within some alpine valleys, where maxima above 40% were found. Both, the estimation of coalescent times and a principle coordinates analysis based on RST values derived from Y-STR haplotypes from different sub-regions of Tyrol revealed evidence for an old settlement history associated with Y chromosomes belonging to haplogroup G in the Tyrolean Alps.

Temporal Changes and Altitudinal Distribution of Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototrophs in Mountain Lakes

Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs (AAPs) are bacteriochlorophyll a-containing microorganisms that use organic substrates for growth but can supplement their energy requirements with light. They have been reported from various marine and limnic environments; however, their ecology remains largely unknown. Here infrared epifluorescence microscopy was used to monitor temporal changes in AAPs in the alpine lake Gossenköllesee, located in the Tyrolean Alps, Austria. AAP abundance was low (10(3) cells ml(-1)) until mid-July and reached a maximum of ∼1.3 × 10(5) cells ml(-1) (29% of all prokaryotes) in mid-September. We compared the studied lake with other mountain lakes located across an altitudinal gradient (913 to 2,799 m above sea level). The concentration of dissolved organic carbon and water transparency seem to be the main factors influencing AAP abundance during the seasonal cycle as well as across the altitudinal gradient. While the AAP populations inhabiting the alpine lakes were composed of intensely pigmented large rods (5 to 12 μm), the lakes below the tree line were inhabited by a variety of smaller morphotypes. Analysis of pufM diversity revealed that AAPs in Gossenköllesee were almost exclusively Sphingomonadales species, which indicates that AAP communities inhabiting alpine lakes are relatively homogeneous compared to those in low-altitude lakes.

High resolution mapping of Y haplogroup G in Tyrol (Austria)

The distribution of Y-chromosomal haplogroup G2a (G-P15) in present-day paternal lineages in Tyrol (Austria) was analyzed by applying a high-density regional sampling scheme that also covered remote mountain areas. There is evidence from ancient genetic data for a high frequency of Y-chromosomal haplogroup G in prehistoric populations of Central Europe, whilst nowadays levels well below 10% are routinely observed. A population sample comprising ∼3700 specimens was analyzed for Y-chromosomal variation by genotyping Y-SNPs and Y-STRs. The set of binary markers included nine SNPs specific for sub-lineages of haplogroup G. The frequency of haplogroup G in 2379 unrelated men born in Tyrol amounted to 11.3%. Nearly all of these Y chromosomes belonged to haplogroup G2a. The main sub-haplogroup within G2a was defined by the SNP L497 (G2a3b1c) and reached a population frequency of 8.6%. Although this average level is higher than reported for other countries the geographical distribution of haplogroup G-L497 showed a differentiated pattern with a clustered distribution within some alpine valleys, where maxima above 40% were found. Both, the estimation of coalescent times and a principle coordinates analysis based on RST values derived from Y-STR haplotypes from different sub-regions of Tyrol revealed evidence for an old settlement history associated with Y chromosomes belonging to haplogroup G in the Tyrolean Alps.

Cycling to death, in the Tyrolean Alps

In January 2013, over 100 researchers from 18 different countries gathered in Obergurgl, a remote ski resort in the beautiful Tyrolean Alps in Austria. The inspiring idea of this EMBO-funded workshop was to bring together two scientific communities: researchers in the fields of cell cycle and cell death. These two mature fields have been considered distinct for many years and researchers active in one often tend to neglect aspects of the other. It is well established though that cell cycle defects can trigger cell death and it is becoming increasingly clear that some cell death paradigms can only (or preferentially) be found within certain cell cycle ‘windows'. Furthermore, defects in both pathways are hallmarks of cancer, amply justifying the concept of an interdisciplinary discussion platform. The quality of the talks and posters, the relaxed and informal atmosphere, enhanced by the beautiful weather and the stunning location, guaranteed the effectiveness of the interchange. Here we summarize a selection of the key contributions in the various fields and apologize to the participants neglected due to space constrains.