MSc Student
Advisor: Konrad Fiedler
Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research
University of Vienna
Abstract
The superfamily Scarabaeoidea comprises seven families in Austria and includes ecologically important species with saprophagous, phytophagous, and coprophagous lifestyles. Many species contribute significantly to nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning, while some are considered agricultural pests. Despite their ecological relevance, comprehensive assessments of their population development in Austria are still lacking.
Recent studies have documented substantial declines in insect biomass and biodiversity across Central Europe, driven by factors such as climate change, habitat fragmentation, land sealing, and agricultural intensification. Existing Red Lists are partly outdated, and no nationwide synthesis of historical and current distribution data has yet been conducted.
This study aims to reconstruct population and distribution trends of Austrian Scarabaeoidea from the early 20th century to the present. Available data from the project “Gefährdungseinstufung der Blatthornkäfer Österreichs”, which compiled historical records from museum collections and private entomological collections, will be combined with observations from online citizen-science platforms such as iNaturalist. The dataset will be standardized and georeferenced using a 5 × 5 km UTM grid system and analyzed across specified time periods. Species with more than 100 records will be included in the statistical analyses. Frequency and distribution indices, as well as generalized linear and generalized additive models, will be used to identify significant temporal and environmental trends. Additionally, GIS-based analyses will be conducted to visualize spatial biodiversity patterns and hotspots.
Environmental variables, including climate data, land-use information, and elevation models, will be integrated to evaluate correlations between species trends and environmental change. The study is expected to provide the first Austria-wide overview of long-term population trends in Scarabaeoidea, identify species and species groups undergoing significant declines or increases, and highlight regions of particular conservation concern. The results will contribute to national biodiversity assessments and provide a scientific basis for future monitoring and conservation strategies.