Research Projects
In the fields of Botany, Zoology, and Earth Sciences, important specimens are collected, studied, documented, and preserved. They represent the basis for researching Mother Nature. Interest is focused on South Tyrol, but adjacent regions and the entire Alpine region are not neglected.
In addition to the Museum's personnel, freelance workers, numerous volunteers, and interns are likewise involved.
Geology
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Life and climate 140 million years ago
A 3-year projected funded by the Austrian Scientific Fund FWF (project P20018-N10) and led by Dr. Mag. Alexander LUKENEDER from the Vienna Natural History Museum began in 2008. It was a cooperation between the Vienna Natural History Museum and the South Tyrol Nature Museum. For this project, 22 scientists in 7 countries are investigating the climate and life in the area that is now the Dolomites during the Cretaceous period.
Permian Flora from the Bletterbach-Butterloch Region
Findings of fossilised plants in Perm in the southern Alps date back to the 19th century, although individual authors have often complained about their poor state of preservation. In South Tyrol itself, the findings from this period come from the Gröden sandstone in Auer and from the Seiser Alm, however the most famous sites to have been described are Cuecenes (Gröden) and the Bletterbach/Butterloch region.
Botany
The Flora of South Tyrol
Current research in the field of Botany focuses on the cataloging of pteriodophytes (ferns) and spermatophytes (seed-bearing plants) of the province of Bozen/Bolzano. The goal is to catalog all of the flora of the province and thus to fill a century-old gap which has existed since the publication of the last standard work on South Tyrol (Dalla Torre & Sarnthein 1906-1912).
The Ephedra Genus (Sea Grape) in the Alpine Region
In order to clarify the genetic relationship between Alpine populations of Ephedra amongst themselves and to E. distachya found in the coastal regions of Western and Southern Europe, a research project was initiated in co-operation with the Berlin Free University.
Zoology
The Gall Midges of South Tyrol
With regards to gall midges, South Tyrol is among the best-researched regions in Europe.
