The unique fauna of the peak was discovered and recorded as early as the 1930’s. A complete study of the mountains flora was commissioned by the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Austrian Alpine Association in 2002. The results were published in 2004 in the journal Carinthia II and were supplemented by studies on soil and native butterflies in the same year.

In the last 20 years the picture around the mountain has changed quite a bit. The decline of the glacier greatly affected both the flora and fauna of the peak. In order to record these changes and to draw a picture of the current situation regarding the flora and fauna of the nunatak, the studies of the year 2002 are scheduled to be repeated and supplemented by modern methods and technologies. Classical vegetation surveys will be supplemented by drone techniques, in order to both draw a floral picture from above and create a 3D model of the mountain peak. Both classic and modern methods will be used to survey fauna of the peak. Using eDNA bulk samples of the coverage and soil, (meta)barcoding methods will be used to determine what organisms are present at the peak. Selected collected invertebrates may also be taken to the laboratory for genetic studies. The field studies will be conducted by the UNESCO Chair team in the summer of 2023.

Financed by: Hohe Tauern National Park and Austrian Alpine Association