International scientists met from 10th to 12th June 2013 in Mittersill, Hohe Tauern Salzburg National Park (Austria), for the 5th Research Symposium.

For many scientists dealing with nature protection and ecology, biodiversity, glacier research, the global change, sustainable development or long-term research in regions largely unaffected by humans, the 5th “International Symposium for Research in Protected Areas” of the Hohe Tauern National Park and the National Parks Austria was a must:

79 speakers and more than 100 posters set the scene for the conference programme under the theme “Dynamics and conservation in protected areas - challenges for research and management”, organised in parallel in numerous themed sessions.

This international scientific and protected area conference has been held every four years since 1996 and is now highly regarded within the scientific community. The interest has therefore been great to join in with an own contribution.

Around 300 delegates from over 20 nations used the opportunity to exchange ideas and network about current research results, hypotheses and project ideas directly related to protected areas in an intense and productive atmosphere of this three-day event in the Mittersill National Park centre.

Hence the symposium once again acted as a successful trans-regional platform beyond the boundaries of different expert areas, research tasks and protected areas.

A public evening event formed the closure of this year’s expert conference with the first-time presentation of the results of the research project “100 years National Park Idea in the Hohe Tauern”, and the announcement of the winners of the National Parks Austria Science Award 2013.