LIFE AMooRe is a strategic nature project under the EU funding program LIFE+, aiming to support the implementation of the Austrian Peatland Strategy 2030+. This, the largest peatland conservation project in Austria to date, involves all federal states and implements a wide range of peatland conservation measures. To gain scientific insights into various sites, for example, managed fen sites in the Middle Styrian Enns Valley are being studied. The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein is participating in these implementation measures within the framework of the DaFNE project MoorRenat.
In principle, peatlands, as wetlands, are special ecosystems that fulfill important functions. Unlike most other ecosystems, the dead plant material is not completely decomposed by the excess water, but rather transformed into peat. Due to their potential to store enormous amounts of water, they contribute to flood control and replenish water during dry periods. Furthermore, peatlands play a crucial role in climate protection due to their carbon storage capacity. Although peatlands cover only 3% of the world's land surface, they store approximately one-third of all carbon stored in the soil.
Gas flow measurements began in mid-March 2025 at the sites in the Irdninger Moos and the Wörschacher Moor. In cooperation with the University of Vienna (Department of Geography and Regional Research), the climate-relevant gases carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are being measured every 14 days from the plant-soil system into the atmosphere at a total of five measuring stations and 15 plots until December 2026. Simultaneously, 24-hour measurements are also being carried out by the University of Vienna, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), as well as air temperature, humidity, and pressure, are being measured at a climate station erected at each site.
In the Irdninger Moos, measurements are taken on a former fen site at two plots of managed grassland. One plot is mowed three times and the other four times, and both are treated with liquid manure. The manure samples are analyzed for the following parameters: dry matter, ash, pH value, nitrogen from the fresh matter, and the minerals phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and ammonium.
The three nature reserves in the Wörschacher Moor (purple moor-iris meadow, moist and wet fen) only receive one maintenance cut in autumn and no fertilization.
Greenhouse gas emission factors are determined for all areas to clarify the uptake and release of CO2, CH4, and N2O and their dependence on key environmental parameters. Throughout the project, these gas flow measurements are taken every two weeks using measuring hoods (see photos), at which time the groundwater level, soil moisture, and temperature are also measured.
In the DaFNE project MoorRenat – a sub-project of AMooRe – the Department of Environmental Ecology at HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, under the direction of Andreas Bohner, is surveying the biodiversity and composition of these peatland sites and analyzing the aboveground phytomass for nutrient concentrations (N, P, S, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) in order to determine nutrient removal through mowing. Furthermore, the soil condition is being assessed and evaluated using routine soil analysis methods.
The Acquisition Unit acts as a coordination and interface between experts from the University of Vienna, the Department of Environmental Ecology at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, and land managers in the Irdninger Moos and Wörschacher Moor, and supports the fulfillment of important research tasks within the AMooRe project. This also includes public relations and raising awareness of the ecological value of local peatland sites.
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Further information:
MoorRenat: Contribution of peatlands to climate protection and biodiversity - BML DaFNE
Austrian peatland strategy 2030+
Images related to the project:
