Building on the research previously undertaken in the Ecosystems Services and Management and Water programs, the BNR Program fully exploits the potential for biodiversity research within integrated system analysis. 

The program brings together different elements of land and aquatic ecosystems including agriculture, forests, and fisheries with water and the marine environment to inform global and regional policy assessments and provide robust science-based knowledge and foresight. The program aims to establish IIASA as an international community hub for biosphere research through innovative tool development; to lead the integration of biophysical-economic modeling with governance; to engage with stakeholders; and to facilitate community driven efforts. It provides policymaking support through core program and group research undertaken in the four BNR research groups.

BNR further engages in bilateral collaborations with other research programs and groups at the institute on key cross-cutting themes such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, the green economy, resilient food systems, transboundary governance, resource depletion and migration, and digital transformation. 

Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) 

The Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) at IIASA offers an exceptional opportunity for PhD students to engage in collaborative research with IIASA’s interdisciplinary teams. 

Each summer, participants work on projects closely related to their doctoral research under the guidance of experienced IIASA scientists, contributing to IIASA’s mission of addressing complex global challenges. 

YSSP opportunities in BNR Program        YSSP - Young Scientists Summer Program

Models, tools, datasets

Forestry and logging

Global Forest Model (G4M)

Beautiful view into a nothern europe forest with pine trees on a sunny day

Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM)

Water Reservoir

Community Water Model (CWatM)

ibis.iSDM

Integrated model for BiodIversity distribution projectionS (ibis.iSDM)

Projects

Wetland calm pond surrounded by golden vegetation and brilliant colors of fall foliage forest

European Union Biodiversity and Climate strategies Assessment (BIOCLIMA)

Chamois picture taken near the Rax

Designing a resilient and coherent Trans-European Network for Nature and People (NaturaConnect)

Pile of wood in forest

Creating leverage to enhance biodiversity outcomes of global biomass trade (CLEVER)

Agriculture tractor

Advancing Capacity and Analytical Tools for Supporting Common Agricultural Policies post 2027 (ACT4CAP2027)

Staff

Florian Kraxner profile picture

Florian Kraxner

Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar (AFE)

Ping Yowargana profile picture

Ping Yowargana

Senior Research Scholar (AFE, CER)

Peiyu Lai profile picture

Peiyu Lai

Guest Research Assistant (AFE)

Lauren Harper Talluto profile picture

Lauren Talluto

Senior Research Scholar (BEC)

News

Protective forests in the Alps

07 October 2026

MOSAIC results highlighted during Austria’s Protective Forest Week 2026

MOSAIC project results and IIASA research on climate-resilient protective forests are featured during Austria’s Protective Forest Week 2026, including work on wildfire risk, decision-support tools, and the Alpine Resilience Web Atlas.
Nanjing University visit

06 October 2026

Nanjing University delegation visits IIASA to explore future collaboration

A high-level delegation from Nanjing University (NJU), led by Professor Tan Zhemin, President of NJU and Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, visited IIASA to discuss opportunities for strengthening scientific cooperation and advancing joint research on global challenges.
MSc EF visit at IIASA

06 October 2026

IIASA celebrates long-term partnership with MSc European Forestry Program

Coordinators, partners and graduates of the MSc European Forestry program visited IIASA on 29 September 2026. Twenty visitors from at least eight countries came as part of the alumni event held alongside the program's graduation ceremony at BOKU University in Vienna.

Events

Focus

Fisherman throwing his net during sunset

16 October 2026

Uganda-Austria water partnership leaves scientific legacy for water management

IIASA Journalist in Residence Lisa Palmer's latest article in the Science Diplomat highlights an IIASA-led partnership which found about 60% of Uganda’s rivers in good condition while building national capacity to track pollution and manage growing risks. 

Low water level of the Danube river in Budapest at sunrise, island bridge

26 August 2026

When the Rock of Starvation appears: How drought is tightening its grip on the Danube

The reappearance of Budapest's “Rock of Starvation” is a visible sign of a drought months in the making. IIASA researchers have traced its progression from missing rainfall and parched soils to exceptionally low flows across the Danube basin.

Publications