citizen science – ABOL – The Austrian Barcode of Life

ABOL-BioBlitzes 2026 – from the river plain to the summit

ABOL BioBlitz, Citizen Science, Highlights, Veranstaltungen

A look back at a successful ABOL field season 2026!

Since 2019, the ABOL coordination team has been actively involved in the various Days of Biodiversity, conducting ABOL BioBlitz surveys. These surveys generate DNA barcodes and familiarize experts with this methodological approach. This year’s Days of Biodiversity were once again very popular. Thanks to the numerous dedicated experts, many species were documented, and there was also lively participation in the ABOL BioBlitzes.

This year’s events covered a wide range of habitats – from lowlands with dry grasslands, meadows and forests to the highest elevations with fens and alpine grasslands.

The season started on June 12th and 13th in the Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve in Vienna’s district Penzing. More than 100 experts recorded a total of 1,455 species in dry grasslands, meadows, and forests of the hilly zone. Despite the changeable weather, this event was a great success. At the subsequent Biodiversity Festival, young and old alike were able to experience geology, nature conservation, and biodiversity firsthand. At the ABOL information stand, visitors learned about the possibilities of genetic methods for species identification.

Similar site conditions prevailed at the following Geo-Day at Simon Hof in Mittertrixen, Carinthia. Although the ABOL coordination team couldn’t be there in person, participants were still offered the opportunity to contribute tissue samples for DNA barcodes. We received very positive feedback from the event, where no effort was spared to survey biodiversity on an actively managed farm on June 27th and 28th. Deciduous forests, ponds, and rocky habitats invited biodiversity exploration. The approximately 40 researchers recorded 850 species.

Two Days of Biodiversity took place simultaneously on the second weekend of July. From July 10th to 12th, Day of Biodiversity was held in the Tyrolean part of the Hohe Tauern National Park in the Debant Valley. The wide altitudinal range – from the montane to the alpine zone – was reflected in the high number of species. In fantastic weather, approximately 60 researchers documented around 2,400 observations. The habitats could not have been more diverse – from larch and Swiss pine forests to pastures, alpine meadows, scree slopes, spring meadows, fens, and an alpine lake, everything was represented. This enormous diversity also led to numerous samples for generating DNA barcodes.

Simultaneously, on July 10th and 11th, the Geo-Day of Biodiversity took place in the Untere Lavant European Protected Area. There, the focus was on hilly riparian zones, floodplain forests, oxbow lakes, ravine and slope mixed forests, and grasslands. With great effort – not all participants stayed dry – the species composition was also recorded there. Approximately 45 researchers were able to identify just under 1,000 species.

The GEO-Day of Biodiversity in the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve on July 17th and 18th marked the culmination of the ABOL BioBlitzes. Biodiversity was surveyed around Lake Falkert at altitudes between approximately 1,300 and 2,000 meters. The area is characterized by alpine pastures, larch and Swiss pine forests, near-natural stream headwaters, and Lake Falkert itself. Around 35 researchers documented an estimated 735 species.

The results of this year’s Days of Biodiversity demonstrate once again the value of collaboration among dedicated experts in recording biodiversity and how this collaboration can also facilitate the DNA barcode reference database. A heartfelt thank you goes to all the organizers and participants who contributed to the success of the events.

You can find more information and highlights here:

Tag der Artenvielfalt: Auf Entdeckungstour in Wien-Penzing | Biosphärenpark Wienerwald
20 Jahre Tage der Artenvielfalt – nationalparksaustria.at | DE

Impressions (Photos by M. Sonnleitner, J. Heinzl, N. Szucsich):

GEO day of biodiversity; Untere Lavant, Carinthia;

Biosphere reserve Nockberge - lake Falkert, Carinthia;

NP Hohe Tauern - Debant valley; photo: M. Sonnleitner

27. July, 2026/by Michaela Sonnleitner

GEO day of Biodiversity, Karawanken, Mittagskogel.

M. Sonnleitner

Autumnal ABOL BioBlitz in the Karawanks

ABOL BioBlitz, Highlights

On September 19 and 20, the GEO Day of Biodiversity, originally scheduled for July, took place on the northern flank of the Mittagskogel in the Karawanks. For many species groups, the peak in species abundance is certainly already over by this time, but others, such as fungi, benefit from this, or different species are found than in summer. This enabled the approximately 50 experts to record over 1,000 species for the study area in 24 hours.

In wonderful weather and equipped with various trapping and mapping tools, the experts fanned out. iNaturalist was also used to report species: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geo-tag-der-artenvielfalt-mittagskogel. On the first day, we focused on the lower elevated, relatively near-natural mixed beech forests. Despite the late season, a few flying insects were observed in the sunny spots along the road. On the second day, the higher elevations were explored, starting from the Bertahütte. Some ambitious researchers even made it to the summits. In the late afternoon, everyone met again at the base in Finkenstein for a final debriefing and an assessment of the species found over coffee and cake.

For ABOL, it is always a benefit to participate in these events – in addition to our own collecting activities, it is especially the conversations with “old” partners and new contacts that are enjoyable and strengthen and expand the ABOL network in Austria. We would like to thank the organizers, especially E.C.O. and the Ökoteam, for allowing us to participate again, and for the successful event overall!

Impressions (Photos: M. Sonnleitner):

GEO day of Biodiversity, Karawanken, Mittagskogel. Dryopteris filix-mas

1. October, 2025/by Michaela Sonnleitner

M. Sonnleitner

ABOL-BioBlitz at Hohe Tauern National park

ABOL BioBlitz, Highlights

Fortunately, the weather in the Hohe Tauern was kind to us this year, from July 18-20, 2025. At the National Park’s Day of Biodiversity, in the Gradental and Gartltal valleys in Carinthia, not only was the weather record-breaking, but so was the number of participating experts, with almost 100 registrations.

Many were already out in the field on Friday, searching for species. In the evening, nocturnal insects were attracted using light traps, photographed, identified, and recorded on Observation.org. Shortly after the light was set, over 160 species of moths from the study area were already registered on Observation.org!

While the majority of the researchers visited the Gradental valley on Saturday—a high valley that extends southwest from the Mölltal and is surrounded by 3,000-meter peaks—we, the ABOL delegation, explored the Gartltal valley to the south. The tall herbs along the forest clearings, with Heracleum, Filipendula, thistles, and other flowering perennials, were particularly interesting and productive in terms of insects. Further up, subalpine larch forest and grasslands rich in Nardus with characteristic silicate flora followed. The fens near Fleckmoos at about 2000 m were also very attractive and rich in flowers. In the late afternoon, we were picked up by the shuttle bus from the parking lot in Ranach. As usual, the transport was very well organized. We were back in the valley just in time before the thunderstorm.

On Sunday morning, the majority of the participants met in Döllach for the closing presentation. In addition to various contributions, the experts presented interesting species they had discovered – from the first record of a cave cricket in the area to the luminous moss, which is often found in semi-caves.

After the final group photo, most of the participants headed home.

From ABOL’s perspective, these opportunities are ideal for connecting with taxonomists—from long-time acquaintances to the many young participants. The one or other DNA barcode references from these biodiversity days will also contribute to filling the DNA database. We thank the organizers for their commitment and everyone who participates in the ABOL BioBlitz.

Impressions (Photos: M. Sonnleitner):

28. July, 2025/by Michaela Sonnleitner

M. Sonnleitner

ABOL at the Day of Biodiversity in Baden bei Wien

ABOL BioBlitz, Citizen Science, Highlights

On June 13 and 14, 2025, the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald organized its 20th Day of Biodiversity– this year in the Lower Austrian part of the biosphere reserve around Baden bei Wien. Around 100 experts from various disciplines explored the diverse flora, fauna, and funga of the area from the Kurpark to the Lindkogel. In perfect weather conditions, numerous fascinating observations were made, and an impressive number of over 1,700 species were documented.
As in previous years, the primary goal was to record as many animal, plant, and fungal species as possible within 24 hours, thus collecting valuable data for nature conservation in the biosphere reserve. A diverse program for visitors was also offered: night hikes, guided excursions, and a “Festival of Biodiversity” on June 14 in the Kurpark, where interested guests could learn about nature and species conservation at numerous information booths.
ABOL was also there: On June 13, our team was out in the field collecting samples for DNA barcoding, and on June 14, we had an information booth available for questions. We had many interesting discussions about the role of DNA barcoding in biodiversity monitoring and nature conservation – and, last but not least, make new contacts and deepen existing collaborations.

A big thank you goes to the organizing team for the excellent preparation and execution of this successful event!

Impressions (photos by N. Szucsich, V. Kargl, M. Sonnleitner)

3. July, 2025/by Michaela Sonnleitner

M. Sonnleitner

GEO Day of Biodiversity in South Carinthia

ABOL BioBlitz, Citizen Science, Highlights

On the first weekend in July, the ABOL-BioBlitz was a guest at the GEO Day of Biodiversity in the Geopark Karawanken, this year for the first time in southern Carinthia. After the welcome and introductory words in Bleiburg, the Globasnitzbachtal was investigated in the afternoon and evening of the first day. There was something for everyone there – stream, forests, and also wonderful species-rich meadows that made botanists and entomologists’ hearts beat faster. On the second day, the high elevations of the Petzen were the target of the species survey. Equipped with cameras, nets, tubes, etc., the cable car took us to the study area. The sunny weather provided good conditions for the species search, only the wind in exposed locations was a bit of a hindrance. Due to the geological peculiarities and the southern influence, the region is particularly species-rich and therefore extremely exciting for all researchers. Initial estimates have already shown that around 1200 species have been found, which is an impressive number. The success is due not least to the large number of around 90 participating scientists, as well as the perfect organization of the event by the state of Carinthia, the Ökoteam and E.C.O.

We would like to thank you very much for allowing us to be there again, for the great food, the pretty t-shirts and the opportunity to meet friends and colleagues as well as new people.

We would like to call on collectors to contact us if they would like to provide samples of arthropods for DNA barcoding!

17. July, 2024/by Michaela Sonnleitner

TdA Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald - Vienna-Liesing

M. Sonnleitner

The first ABOL BioBlitzes 2024

ABOL BioBlitz, Citizen Science, Highlights, Veranstaltungen

Thanks to the Biodiversity Fund projects ABOL-RefDat and GeMonA+, our ABOL team at the Natural History Museum Vienna grew at the beginning of 2024 and the first BioBlitzes were a good opportunity to support data collection and networking in the biodiversity community.

This year’s Day of Biodiversity of the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald took place in Vienna-Liesing, at the same time part of the ABOL team traveled to the ÖEG insect camp in the Karwendel Nature Reserve.

On the occasion of the City Nature Challenge, an excursion to the Vienna-Liesing study area around Himmelswiese started at the end of April. Some species were already recorded there and on the Days of Biodiversity on June 8th and 9th this list of species was further expanded. In ideal weather conditions, which only made catching insects difficult due to occasional gusts of wind, we went along forest paths and extensive meadows to different types of water. The bright expert T-shirts meant that we kept meeting interested visitors or experts from other species groups, which led to nice conversations.

At the Biodiversity Festival, we shared an information stand with the Mycological Society, which was packed thanks to the favorable mushroom weather beforehand!

The Day of Biodiversity came to a cozy end at a nearby wine tavern, to which all experts were invited. A big thank you to the organizing team, as always it was a great experience that ran smoothly!

Impressions (photos: M. Sonnleitner)

16. July, 2024/by Michaela Sonnleitner

Christoph Gruber | BOKU-IT

These were the Days of Biodiversity 2023

Highlights, Meetings, Veranstaltungen

“Together on the way out of the biodiversity crisis” was the title of the Biodiversity Days 2023 from November 8^th to 10^th, which took place at BOKU Vienna.
In 9 sessions, different aspects of the biodiversity crisis and different actors were addressed. This breadth of topics was only possible through the first-time cooperation between 5 organizing institutions. ABOL would like to thank the Institute for Hydrobiology and Water Management (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna), the Austrian Biodiversity Network (University of Continuing Education Krems), NOBIS – Network of Biological Systematics Austria, and the ZooBot – Zoological-Botanical Society in Austria for the successful collaboration. The success is reflected not only in the fact that the event was sold out with more than 200 participants on site (many more took part online), but above all in the lively discussions and solution-oriented approaches of the individual sessions.
The conference opened with a very thrilling video message from Jane Goodall: an appeal to stand up for nature and biodiversity – just like she did. The morning keynotes by Franz Essl – “Green transformation – please together with nature” and by Alice Vadrot – “Biodiversity policy in the tradeoff between scientific evidence and diversity of values” – as well as the panel discussion with BM Leonore Gewessler and representatives from the Science and the Austrian Biodiversity Council can be viewed on the BOKU Vienna YouTube channel.
The first morning was dedicated to the ecosystem water, which is now one of the most threatened ecosystems. In addition to presenting the dramatic situation of many aquatic species, practical protection and restoration projects were also presented and possible solutions were outlined in a joint discussion. The afternoon was dedicated, on the one hand, to taxonomic experts in teaching and research, and, on the other hand, to the importance of platforms and associations in biodiversity research. Possibilities and approaches were presented to counteract the loss of knowledge of species among the population and the decline in specialists in various species groups. As part of the evening event, various specialist associations and platforms were able to present themselves and network with posters over drinks and snacks.
The morning of the second day was filled with lectures by young scientists on a wide range of topics from biological systematics, ecology, biodiversity and nature conservation. The Young Researcher Prize was awarded by a jury at the evening event for the best lectures and posters. The afternoon was dedicated to the topics of monitoring in times of biodiversity crisis and the responsibility of science in times of multiple crises. Both sessions featured long and exciting discussions, but in the end the time was still too short. The demand for an Austrian biodiversity center was not only raised in these two sessions. The creation and management of high-quality biodiversity data and their integration at national and international levels has been repeatedly discussed as an urgent goal.
The presentation of the annual barometer of Austrian biodiversity policy by the Biodiversity Council opened the last day of the event and led to the panel discussion entitled “Dialogue with Politics”. Conclusion of this year’s barometer continues the trends of the Biodiversity Council’s previous evaluations: “too little and too slow”. At the political level, the need for action has already been recognized and initial goals have been defined – but it has also been clearly shown that the implementation is a major challenge due to the framework conditions of practical policy.
The event concluded with sessions on communication of biodiversity sciences and ecosystem services, with further thematic interfaces between science, nature conservation and society.
The conference further strengthened the biodiversity landscape in Austria and networked it in many ways!
We would like to thank our sponsors, the co-organizers and everyone who contributed to the successful event!

Days of Biodiversity 2023 - Session 2, E. Glatzhofer

Days of Biodiversity 2023 at BOKU Vienna - Keynote F. Essl

Days of Biodiversity 2023 - Keynote A. Vadrot

Days of Biodiversity 2023 at BOKU Vienna - Opening

Days of Biodiversity 2023 - great thanks to our sponsor Microsynth

Days of Biodiversity 2023 - N. Szucsich, Session 5

Days of Biodiversity 2023 - Session 2, S. Kapelari

Days of Biodiversity - M.A. Fischer, Session 3

Days of Biodiversity 2023 at BOKU Vienna

Days of Biodiversity 2023 - Session 1, discussion

Days of Biodiversity 2023 - Session 2, discussion

Days of Biodiversity 2023 - E. Haring, Session 3

20. November, 2023/by Michaela Sonnleitner

ABOL BioBlitz in the National park Hohe Tauern

ABOL BioBlitz, Highlights, Meetings, Veranstaltungen

This year’s ABOL BioBlitz series was completed with the Day of Biodiversity in the Hohe Tauern National Park on the Deferegger sunny side in East Tyrol. As in previous years, the weather this weekend was rather bad. At least this year we had some sunny windows in which flying insects, especially bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies could be observed. The first evening was already dedicated to the light traps – nocturnal insects were attracted and mapped with light traps on the banks of the Schwarzach river and in the alpine area at Speikboden. Saturday was devoted entirely to searching for species in the study areas above St. Veit and St. Jakob, up to high alpine locations. In the evening, nets for catching bats were set up around the House of Water of the National Park, which served as a base, with which, together with echolocation, 5 species of bats could be detected. At the final event on Sunday, the first results and provisional species numbers were presented. Thanks to the voluntary and unpaid work of around 70 experts, the data situation in this area, which had been rather sparse until then, was significantly improved. We hope to get some more samples for the creation of DNA barcodes and to successfully complete the ABOL-BioBlitz collecting season.
We would like to thank the national park team for the perfect organization of accommodation, food and transport!

Impressions from the study area:

TdA NP Hohe Tauern, Defereggen valley. Photo: M. Sonnleitner

TdA NP Hohe Tauern, Defereggen valley. Light trap. Photo: M. Sonnleitner

TdA NP Hohe Tauern, Defereggen valley. Species rich meadow. Photo: M. Sonnleitner

TdA NP Hohe Tauern, Defereggental. Photo: M. Sonnleitner

TdA NP Hohe Tauern, Defereggen valley. Welcome. Photo: M. Sonnleitner

TdA NP Hohe Tauern, Defereggen valley. Insects on Apiaceae inflorescence. Photo: M. Sonnleitner

TdA NP Hohe Tauern, Defereggen valley. Myricaria germanica on the Schwarzach river. Photo: M. Sonnleitner

TdA NP Hohe Tauern, Defereggen valley. N. Szucsich at the closing event. Photo: M. Sonnleitner

2. August, 2023/by Michaela Sonnleitner

TdA Nockberge - Bärengrube. Photo: O. Macek

ABOL-BioBlitzes in Tyrol and the Carinthian Nockberge Mountains

ABOL BioBlitz, Highlights, Meetings

On July 7 and 8, the ABOL team was present at two simultaneous events: the Day of Biodiversity in Tyrol and the GEO-Day of Nature in Carinthia.

At the Day of Biodiversity in Tyrol, in Leutasch, four very different and exciting study areas were examined for their biodiversity. In a moor area with orchid-rich fens and an intact mountain pine high moor, night was turned into day with numerous light traps – at least for the nocturnal insects and their researchers. In addition, many fireflies, which are rarely observed in such high numbers today, lit our way. The numerous butterfly experts were also present high on the mountain in the direction of Arnkopf, at a species-rich meadow and an interesting gravel area. The beautiful weather on Saturday contributed to rich observations of various animal groups. The final event on Saturday afternoon was well attended and very informative and interesting with a very well-prepared photo presentation which was put together in a very short time. Experts from various fields contributed briefly, from the geology of the study area, a short introduction to iNaturalist to a poem about a moth (Baptria tibiale).

First results were presented, there was a lot to find on the four survey plots: 11 orchid species, about 200 different butterflies, including the rare dusky large blue (Phengaris nausithous), more than 50 bird species, including black grouse, golden eagle and tawny owl, some recordings on the bat-detector and sundew and moorland hawker in the moorland. As part of the post-processing, some more exciting species will surely be added to the species list. Also, the culinary art and the interaction among the experts wasn’t missed out, before we started the long journey home, which was definitively worth it! Many thanks to the organizing team!

The other part of the ABOL team took part in the GEO Day of Nature in the Nockberge. With the ‘Bärengrube’ (translated ‘bear-cave’) near Innerkrems we went this year to north-exposed sites of the biosphere reserve, with a diverse geology and soils, from dolomite to mica schist and numerous boggy areas. Not in every organism group the call for ‘bear’ associations could be served as elegantly as the botanical Lycopodium, a pun that loses its punch line in English. Not even the butterfly experts were successful due to the lack of Arctiinae sightings. The familiar atmosphere and the perfect weather led to the fact that nevertheless nobody was grieved. Moreover, the sightings of all three grouse species consoled even the melancholic about the absence of species like Contarinia baeri.

Our thanks go again to the organizers of E.C.O., the biosphere reserve team and the Ökoteam for the perfect organization and for opening the wide field of bear puns.

Impressions from Leutasch in Tyrol:

Impressions from the Nockberge:

20. July, 2023/by Michaela Sonnleitner

Hochstaudenflur, Kölnbreinsperre, TdA Hohe Tauern. Foto: M. Sonnleitner

ABOL BioBlitz in the National Park Hohe Tauern

ABOL BioBlitz, Citizen Science, Highlights, Meetings

Once again this year, the Biodiversity Day in the National Park Hohe Tauern was not accompanied by good weather. With gusts of wind, cold, rain and occasional windows of sunshine, dedicated experts collected biodiversity data again last weekend – this year in the Carinthian part of the National Park in the Maltatal. The high altitudes around the Kölnbrein reservoir were investigated, but also the lower altitudes of the municipality of Malta, lighth traps were set up and bats were mapped with nets and batcorders. Due to the adverse conditions, diurnal insects were mainly collected in the short sunny windows, especially on the last day. The ABOL coordination team was there in full force and, as in previous years, will submit samples for DNA barcoding as part of an ABOL BioBlitz. We would like to thank everyone who took part! Furthermore, we thank the National Park team for the excellent organisation and support!
Congratulations on the Hohe Tauern Biodiversity Report, which was presented at the final meeting (-> download here).

Report from the Organizer (in GERMAN only): -> here

Impressions from the study area: