This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
I am currently a PhD student at the Research Department for Limnology of the University of Innsbruck working in the CLAIMES project (https://www.uibk.ac.at/projects/claimes/) on the effects of climate change on small mountain lakes and their ecosystem services. My focus is on limnological parameters as indicators for ecosystem services which are sensitive to distinguish between small high mountain lakes in small spatial scales and which are sensitive to changes due to climate change.
Mountain lakes are highly sensitive to global change, requiring sustainable management strategies that support crucial ecosystem services (ES). However, small mountain lakes are rarely in the focus of ES assessments, and indicators are potentially lacking. Therefore, this study aimed at comprehensively assessing key ES of 15 study lakes located in two regions in the European Alps. We involved local stakeholders and experts to identify important ES. We quantified eight ES in non-monetary terms, using 29 indicators based on limnological, spatial and socio-economic data. Finally, we evaluated ES in relation to the socio-ecological context of the study lakes. The most important ES included surface water for non-drinking purposes, maintaining populations and habitats, outdoor recreation, aesthetic value, entertainment and representation, scientific research, education as well as existence, option, or bequest value. Quantitative results indicate varying levels of ES across the study lakes. Based on 12 different socio-ecological variables, we identified four groups of lakes differing also in five ES. Maintaining populations and habitats, aesthetic value as well as existence, option or bequest value were rather independent from the socio-ecological context. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of ES of mountain lakes, also supporting the development of sustainable management strategies in mountain regions.
Uta Schirpke; Manuel Ebner; Hanna Pritsch; Veronika Fontana; Rainer Kurmayer. Quantifying Ecosystem Services of High Mountain Lakes across Different Socio-Ecological Contexts. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6051 .
AMA StyleUta Schirpke, Manuel Ebner, Hanna Pritsch, Veronika Fontana, Rainer Kurmayer. Quantifying Ecosystem Services of High Mountain Lakes across Different Socio-Ecological Contexts. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (11):6051.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUta Schirpke; Manuel Ebner; Hanna Pritsch; Veronika Fontana; Rainer Kurmayer. 2021. "Quantifying Ecosystem Services of High Mountain Lakes across Different Socio-Ecological Contexts." Sustainability 13, no. 11: 6051.