GHB01 SHIFT

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Shifting Altitudinal Zones of Environmental Systems in Mountain Regions

Within the natural environment of mountain systems Global Climate Change impact is manifested by a pronounced shift of the altitudinal zones. Simultaneously, socio-economically induced land-use change further alters the Alpine environment.

Based on regional climate change and socio-economic scenarios, the spatio-temporal altitudinal variations of selected natural environmental elements are analysed and quantified.

One outcome of SHIFT is an improved understanding of how these shifts in the highly climate sensitive Alpine ecosystems affect life in mountain but also in foreland societies.

A second outcome is the provision of spatially continuous baseline data in terms of system inputs, impacts and outputs that serve as vital information for various other projects.