History of social interventions into terrestrial ecosystems, to increase their utility for society; systematic and comparative description of spatial and temporal processes in agro-ecosystems (patterns of land use).
Article in journal
In the article ecosystem of Slovenian river Repaljščica and the edge of it is introduced. The author exposes the biodiversity from the edge of variety of bird species. Different bird species are discribed. The investigation stresses on the influence of mowing to bird population decreases.
Following the present southern border of the city of Vienna, the rivulet Liesing crosses several types of landscape, which as nowadays mostly built and highly fragmented area do not provide an indication of the historical relation between the spatial development and the watercourse itself. Apart from the inevitable need of water for early human settlements, the region of the Liesing also provided rich resources, which allowed an early economic relation to the growing city of Vienna, whose trade infrastructure crossed the Liesing at several points.
This master thesis is part of the interdisciplinary project URBWATER (Vienna's urban waterscape 1683-1918. An Environmental History), and has a look at the links between water bodies, urban development and human water uses in Vienna from the late 17th to the 20th century. Like in many other cities, humans and their needs for urban development, flood protection, navigation and power generation have influenced fluvial morphology and dynamics in and around Vienna with sometimes unintended consequences that required further interventions.
Most large and medium-sized Austrian rivers were channalized in the later 19th and 20th century. The main reasons were to ensure flood protection for new human settlements and increasing agricultural areas. This diplom thesis analyses the development of land use (settlement, agriculture) along the Traisen rive and the affects of flood protection on the natural fluvial environment. Three case study sites with different economical and topographical conditions were selected: Lilienfeld in the upper Traisen, St.
Most Austrian riverine landscapes and floodplains were heavily modified by the channelization and the following anthropogenic influences in the later 19th and 20th century. In contrast to other Austrian riverine landscapes the Lobau has been conserved as a cohesive floodplain, in spite or because of its vicinity to the city of Vienna. To analyse the complexity of the development of the land use in the Lobau was the main aim of this master thesis.
This diploma thesis, which was conducted in the framework of the project ”OPTIMA Lobau” comprises a qualitative analysis of human uses in the Viennese Lobau. In the past anthropogenic uses in the area of the Lobau were highly diverse. Until the breakdown of the Austrian monarchy the landscape, which was influenced by the dynamics of the Danube and the ownership relations, was dominated by an intense hunting use and game management. Limiting factors for an increase of use for e. g.
Article in journal
No other river contributed to Europes development as much as the Danube. Due to the southeast orientation of the Danube, it is a brigde to southeast european and oriental influences to middle europe. The Danube can not be considered a "life vein" like the Nile for Egypt, but rather functions as an "alliance vein" which brought the countries along its borders together. The Danube had several names which points to its perceived size in relationship to the action scope of mankind in former days. All modern names for the Danube derive from the Roman name Danuvius.
This study presents results of 2D- and 3D-reconstructions of the Danube floodplain in Vienna based on historical sources. Prior to channelization, the Danube River was anabranched and consisted of more than 90 % lotic water bodies. Over the long term, erosion and aggradation remained presumably in a dynamic equilibrium. This resulted in permanent regeneration/rejuvenation of the different habitats. River channelization primarily led to a stabilization of the former morphodynamic processes.
Over hundres of years the growth and development of Vienna was determined by the River Danube. The course of the river was originally influenced exclusively by natural occurences. Increasing technology and industrialisation have changed the course of the river dramatically during the last 125 years. Flood control, navigation and power supply were the main reasons for the operations undertaken. Enforced settlement and industrial development along the river followed. Subsequently, most of the habitats of the formerly large inundation area were destroyed.
Article in journal
This article describes the development of the Danube River at the city of Linz. It gives insight on how industry dealt with the branching river, how the river bed evolved and when incision starts, about mean, low and high flow events as well as changes in flow velocity. A great number of flood events as well as ice development on the Danube River, bed load and water pollution are also described. The article ends with flood protection measures and the developing water usage for power generation.