A MILESTONE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH: FH CARINTHIA ESTABLISHES FIRST BIODIVERSITY CENTER
With the Interdisciplinary Centre for Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity (I.C.E.B.), FH Carinthia has launched Austria's first research center that makes biodiversity and ecosystem services systematically and data-based measurable.
The establishment of the I.C.E.B. marks a significant milestone in Austrian environmental research. The center, located in the tpv Technology Park Villach, is dedicated to the comprehensive recording and analysis of biodiversity and ecosystem services. By combining ecological research and cutting-edge technology, new insights for business, science, and society are to be gained.
"Biodiversity is a precious resource in which we still know very little. The technologies from our research center will help us better capture, develop, and protect the diversity of life."
- Center Director and UNESCO Chairman for Sustainability at FH Carinthia, Michael Jungmeier
The project is funded with 2.5 million euros by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and supported by a long-term cooperation with the private foundation of Kärntner Sparkasse.
INNOVATION THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
The center unites three specialized research departments that pool their expertise in biodiversity research:
- MCA (Management of Conservation Areas): Research on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- SIENA (Spatial Informatics for Environmental Applications): Digital methods for recording and analyzing biodiversity with modern technologies such as AI, drones, and satellites.
- CoNNA (Conservation Needs and Nature-based Adaptation): Implementation of research results into practical measures for businesses and communities.
OUTDOOR LAB FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
A special highlight of the I.C.E.B. is the Metschacher Moos near Zweikirchen, one of the largest outdoor laboratories for biodiversity in Austria. Here, long-term monitoring projects are conducted, and renaturation processes are observed – supported by modern technologies such as sensor networks and drone usage.
BENEFITS FOR COMPANIES AND COMMUNITIES
Companies and communities benefit in many ways from the expertise and practical research of the center. The I.C.E.B. supports the achievement of measurable sustainability performance in line with the EU taxonomy and ESG criteria. It also enables the monetary valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services – a crucial step toward integrating them into planning and decision-making processes.
A nature-oriented and sustainable land design can reduce costs in the long term – for example, through lower flood protection needs or better climate regulation. The value of real estate also increases measurably through ecological design. Furthermore, reliable biodiversity data forms the basis for subsidies and attractive financing options.
PRACTICAL INSIGHTS INTO BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH FOR STUDENTS
Students at FH Carinthia can actively participate in the I.C.E.B. research projects and gain valuable practical experience. Topics such as biodiversity, digital environmental analysis, and sustainable planning are increasingly integrated into curricula.
With this, the I.C.E.B. sets new standards in biodiversity research – for a sustainable future of nature, economy, and society.