Saving the Peatlands: FH Upper Austria Joins Forces with Partners in Austria and the Czech Republic

There is broad consensus in the scientific community, yet it still receives too little public attention: peatlands play an irreplaceable role in combating climate change and preserving biodiversity. Although they cover only three percent of the Earth’s surface, they store around one third of the world’s carbon (CO₂). One of these important peatland hotspots is located in the border region between Austria and the Czech Republic, specifically between Upper Austria and South Bohemia. Under the scientific leadership of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria at its Wels Campus, a cross-border INTERREG project has been dedicated since early April 2026 to the main goal of securing the future of these peatlands through sustainable habitat management.

“In several pilot areas on both sides of the border, we use modern scientific methods for measurement, mapping, and analysis to examine key characteristics of peatland ecosystems, document their conservation status, and identify potential for protection and restoration,” explains Gregor Maier-Lehner, who coordinates the project on behalf of FH Upper Austria at its Wels Campus.

Protecting endangered species and habitats

The project is built on three main pillars:
First, biodiversity monitoring, including gene flow studies to protect endangered species and habitats.
Second, the development of sustainable tourism concepts, including peatland nature trails, visitor management, and regional knowledge transfer.
Third, close coordination with the LIFE project “AMooRe Austria,” as well as the development of an international online platform by the South Bohemian regional authority in České Budějovice, which is comparable to a provincial government in Austria. This platform supports the identification of peatland areas using drones and the collection of biodiversity data.

Peatlands at the center of the climate debate

“Peatlands have moved from a niche issue to the center of the climate and biodiversity debate. What matters now is implementation, as protecting peatlands is both a societal responsibility and an opportunity. This project shows how cross-border thinking and international cooperation can deliver concrete solutions,” says Christian Schröck from AMooRe Austria. The initiative is supported not only by the European Union but also by the responsible federal ministries and all nine Austrian provinces.

Positioning as an international “peatland competence region”

By combining science, nature conservation, and tourism, the project not only creates an innovative model for sustainable peatland protection but also establishes a long-term partnership aimed at positioning the region internationally as a center of expertise for peatland ecosystems. The strong support from strategic partners in Austria and the Czech Republic underlines the importance of this initiative for climate protection, water management, and biodiversity.

Alongside FH Upper Austria’s experts from Wels, the project team includes institutions such as the South Bohemian Regional Authority in České Budějovice, the Museum Jihlava, DSO Telč, the municipality of Liebenau, Interreg Linz, and the Regional Management Upper Austria.

What is an INTERREG project?

INTERREG projects are a key instrument of the European Union to strengthen cross-border cooperation across Europe. They are organized within so-called European regions, such as the Danube–Vltava Region in this case.

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