Biogeography

Climate Affect of Plants & Animals

The climate of Innsbruck, Austria has a significant impact on its fauna and flora. There are also meadows and valleys nearby that sheep and cattle inhabit during the summer months. The animals spend their time within the alpine pastures, consuming herbs that can contribute to the healthiness of their milk. (11)

With climate change on the rise, temperatures, ecosystems, weather, and the biodiversity of the region will be affected. Over the past 80 years, the temperatures in Innsbruck have risen by 1.8 degrees Celsius (35.24 degrees Fahrenheit) Nearby glaciers have begun to melt, which has reduced their volume by a significant amount. (11)

Sheep & cattle in the meadows (18)

Ecoregion map of Europe (16)

Biomes & Ecoregions

The country of Austria is made up of four terrestrial ecoregions and two freshwater ecoregions. The ecology is largely influenced by the Alps and the water streams that flow from within them. (12) There are also two main types of ecosystems within Austria. Forest ecosystems and Agroecosystems. The Forest ecosystems cover around 47.7% of the country, while the agroecosystems occupy around 37.7% of the country. (12)

The four terrestrial ecoregions that were mentioned previously include the Alps conifer and Mixed Forests, Western European broadleaf forests, Pannonian mixed, and Central European mixed forests. (13)

Topography Influence

Since Innsbruck is located in the Inn Valey between the mountians. The city's average elevation is 4,199ft, with the lowest elevation point sitting at 1,831ft and the highest at 8,735ft. (17)

Innsbrucks topography is known for its mountainous terrain. They offer opportunities for skiing and hiking, which have played a major role in the tourist attractions of the town. (17)

Topographic map of Innsbruck (15)

Ibex in the Alps (21)

Blue Gentian (22)

Golden Eagles in the wild (21)

Baby chamois in their habitat (21)

Vegetation & Wildlife Influence

Innsbruck is home to its alpine plants. These include edelweiss and blue gentian. Although it is forbidden to pick these flowers to help protect the species and the overall vegetation of the city. (20)

On the other hand, the wildlife in Innsbruck is diverse and very abundant. As mentioned previously, there are lots of sheep and cattle that roam the valleys within the Alps, as well as eagles, marmots, ibexes, and chamois. All of these alpine inhabitants can be found in the wild within the mountains of Innsbruck. (21)

Environmental Threats

Although many environmental threats surround the city and climate of Innsbruck, one of the most recent threats to the environment is the illegal landfill that has occurred in the area. The landfill was intended to be a waste treatment facility but has become a more environmental issue due to the hazardous materials that are present. The landfill came into operation in 2019, with no permits or infrastructure to properly handle the waste. With the company in charge of cleanup going bankrupt, the financial responsibility has fallen to the taxpayers. The estimated cost of cleanup is 3 million euros. (23)

These hazardous materials such as fuel-contaminated soil, can pollute the soil and groundwater. Which can lead to long-term effects on the ecosystem and wildlife in Austria. (23)

Site of the Illegal Landfill in Innsbruck (23)

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