Alpstream - Alpine Stream Research Center
Why a Research Center for Alpine Rivers
ALPSTREAM aims to serve as a reference Center for the study, sustainable management and protection of Alpine river ecosystems. These environments represent a unique, irreplaceable, and essential heritage, but they are also extremely fragile, relying on a delicate balance between biotic and abiotic processes. Many of these processes are threatened by the ongoing climate change and the impact of local human activities.
The Genesis of the Project
The Center was founded thanks to an Integrated Transboundary Plan “Terres Monviso” (Interreg ALCOTRA 2014-2020), led by the Monviso Park.
The project funded the construction of a dedicated scientific facility for the study of Alpine rivers. The Center was developed through the collaboration between the Park and the three universities located in Piedmont (NW-Italy), whose research units that have been studying river ecology and hydromorphology over the last years.
Research at ALPSTREAM
One of the primary goal of the Center is to become an experimental research station of high scientific level, with an international sound and connections, but at the same time deeply rooted in the local mountain territory.
The three founding Universities (namely UNITO, UPO, and POLITO) use the facilities of the Center for both research and academic purposes, promoting both applied and basic research activities. Applied research in Alpstream concern the analysis of climate change impacts (particularly drought) on river benthic communities. Over the last years, for example, we focused on river self-purification capacity and the study of physical impact, such as sediment flushing from large Alpine dams. Examples of basic research include nutrient dynamics in mountain environments, biodiversity, and the analysis of erosional and depositional processes. The facilities located in Ostana are available for both national and international researchers.
Education and Scientific Outreach
The facility enables laboratory activities and educational programs to be conducted directly in field. Students can be involved in both field and laboratory activities, as well as attend academic courses in our Center. Furthermore, the Center's guest researchers have access to suitable equipment for carrying out their studies. Particularly interesting is the availability of a guesthouse close the to Center (https://www.visoaviso.it/strutture/foresteria), which can currently accommodate 18 people, but which can be networked with other structures located in Ostana, reaching a capacity of 70 people. This allows you to better manage study, internship or research periods.
