Alpine meadows in retreat (November 2007) The recently-completed inventory of forests,
which cover 31% of Switzerland's land area, shows that forests have increased by almost 5% in the past 11 years. The increase
is even more dramatic in the Alps and the region south of the Alps -- there forested acreage has increased by 9% in little
over a decade as more and more Alpine meadows are abandoned. This trend underscores the decline in traditional agricultural
practices in the mountains -- the century's old cycle of grazing and animal husbandry -- that will change forever the
cultural landscape of Alpine regions in Europe.
Lavaux wine region accorded World Heritage status (July 2007) Lavaux, which lies between
Lausanne and Vevey, won World Heritage status on the strength of its ancient vineyards, spectacular lakeside setting and alpine
panorama across Lake Geneva. The 830-hectare terraced area is devoted to the production of some of Switzerland's finest wines
and lies in a zone under pressure from construction; those behind the bid were keen to preserve the landscape and secure the
region's future. But even before gaining World Heritage status, under existing planning regulations Lavaux was well protected
by legislation at local, cantonal and federal levels.
In addition, the first World Natural Heritage site in the Alps – the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn region –
is to be increased from 539 km² to 824 km². The extended site boundary now incorporates almost the entire Aar Massif as far
as the Grimsel in the northeast. The Schreckhorn, Lauteraarhorn, Finsteraarhorn and Oberaarhorn peaks, including their glaciers,
are to be integrated into the site. A total of 26 communes have a share in the enlarged property, which now encompasses the
entire range of the Bernese High Alps and includes a much greater proportion of glaciated areas and mountain landscapes. (swissinfo)
Trendy winter sports in the Alps threaten the survival of wild animals (March 2007)
Researchers say that off-piste skiers, free-ride snowboarders, people who go on ski tours and those on snowshoes are the culprits.
As reported in swissinfo.org, a recent study is the first to quantify the physiological effects of winter sports on wild animals.
The results show that the black grouse, which lives in the zone between forest and high-altitude grassland, is suffering
dangerous amounts of stress. Under normal circumstances, the grouse spend 20 hours per day in winter resting in a sort
of igloo, saving their energy and avoiding predators.
Human intrusions, however, cause the bird to flee, exposing them
to exposure to low temperatures and predators outside the igloos. There are 30 to 50 per cent fewer grouse in areas where
winter sports are widespread.
Vanishing Glaciers (December 2006) The Swiss Alps will no longer be covered by ice at the end of the century if glaciers continue to melt at the
current rate, according to experts from the Federal Institute of Technology in
Zurich. "Ten years from now about 20 per cent of the ice will have melted away,"
says glaciologist Martin Funk. Latest preliminary results by scientists show the past summer was almost as damaging for the
glaciers as the exceptionally warm summer in 2003.
Huge ice blocks falling into the lakes, which could
be as long as 1.6 kilometres and 125 metres deep, can cause flooding in valley floors, Funk says. The shrinking glaciers have not yet had a major impact on the flora and fauna of the Swiss Alps. But changes to the
natural alpine environment are expected in the long run and scientists have expressed concern that some mountain valleys could
lose their water resources. (swissinfo 12/8/06)
Thawing permafrost poses another threat to Alpine environment (August 2006)
According to Professor Karl Krainer at the University of Innsbruck, global warming is doing far more than melting glaciers
-- it's also thawing the permafrost. Above 2400 meters in the Tyrol, for example, much of the ground is permanently frozen.
As the permafrost thaws, rocks can become dislodged, leading to rockslides. The north face of the Weissespitze in the Kaunertal,
for example, is crumbling. A number of the hiking trails in the high mountains are already at risk
and may be impassable in future years.
Krainer notes that, unlike Switzerland, the areas of permafrost in the Tyrol have not been
carefully studied. As a result, it will be difficult to pinpoint localities where rockslides may occur.
New nature park in the Albula-Berguen region of Switzerland (June
2006)The Parc Ela comprises 600 square kilometers, almost as large as Canton Glarus. In
contrast with the Swiss National Park, where core zones are protected from human activity, the nature park concept integrates undisturbed
natural areas, as well as cultural landscapes.
The 21 Parc Ela municipalities view the park as a way to sustain the economic viability
of the region, which has suffered from the decline of Alpine agriculture and population loss. While funding for the park is
guaranteed through 2008, the issue of federal financing is still being debated in the Swiss parliament.
When meadows go wild (January 2006) Village mayors in Tyrol's Gurgltal
are increasingly concerned about the future of the valley's meadows. One consequence of the decline in farming in Alpine
regions is the "Verwilderung" of meadows. The cycle of hay harvesting and fertilization maintained over centuries of
mountain agriculture is broken. In the Gurgltal, more than 80 hectares of meadow are no longer cultivated.
One response has been to establish an ecology center in the valley to help build awareness
of the problem. Another is the formation of an association to focus on ways to maintain and preserve the meadows. As the mayor
of Nassereith noted, "this is a massive problem requiring urgent action."
Lavaux region seeks UNESCO World Heritage status (December
2005)
The picturesque region, which lies between Lausanne and Vevey, is counting on its vineyards, lakeside
setting and alpine panorama to enable it to join the other six Swiss sites already on the World Heritage list. "Here
we have an under-represented category – a cultural landscape. The strong point is that Lavaux lies in a zone under pressure
from construction and it's very important to preserve this landscape," according to a spokesman for the Swiss Federal Culture
Office.
The region was already protected by legislation at local, cantonal and federal levels. The
citizens of canton Vaud even voted in November to cement the preservation of Lavaux in the constitution. Environmentalist
Franz Weber launched a campaign 30 years ago to protect Lavaux from developers, which culminated in a successful vote
in 1977. "It was the first time anywhere in the world that the people were able to place a landscape under protection,"
he said. "All the political parties were opposed, as well as the government, but the people were with me, and we won."
Upper Engadine being "built to death" (August 2005)
The Swiss Foundation for Landscape Protection and the Swiss
Heritage Society report that every year 400 holiday homes are being built in the Upper Engadine, which includes the St
Mortiz. Structures that stand empty much of the year. The number of beds tripled between 1970 and 2000, from 19,484
to 65,672.
"In a few more years, this landscape -- one of the most amazing
in the whole Alpine region -- will be completely destroyed." The groups said traffic, noise, and tourism infrastructure
are also on the rise, threatening to destroy the tourism industry, the region's lifeline.
Devastating floods (August 2005) Torrential
rains triggered flooding across the Alps during the week of August 21st. Stephan Bader of the Swiss Meteorological
Office told swissinfo that the risk of more flooding, particularly in the autumn months from September to November, will increase
if temperatures continue to rise as a result of global warming. "We predict that the potential for heavy rainfalls that
will lead to floods will increase."
The average winter rainfall in Switzerland has increased by 40 per cent in the
west of the country and by ten per cent in the east in the past 25 years. More rain, less snow. "Because of this, we
have to presume that in Switzerland, and in the Alps in particular, there will be patches of warmer weather for longer periods
in the yearly cycle and heavy rain later in the year, between September to November."
Brown bear in Switzerland draws crowds
(August 2005) The bear was first spotted in the Swiss National Park in Graubünden, the first one seen in almost 100
years on Swiss soil. Since then,according to swissinfo, "tourists and the media have been rushing
to the park to try and get a glimpse of the bear, with many getting up close for the all-important photograph." After
consulting with international bear experts, the Graubünden authorities have decided to use rubber pellets to scare the bear
if it gets too close to people. .
"It’s an interesting bear because it is not afraid of humans and this will
probably only get worse because of the number of people who have come to see it," said park ranger Peter Roth. "And
this was possible because it remained in the same place close to the road for a couple of days - that’s very untypical
for a wild bear. It won’t be easy for it to live here." Scientists speculate that the bear may not be able to
find enough food in the national park -- it devoured a calf -- and may move on to the Ticino to take advantage of the chestnut
harvest.
Swiss parliament supports
park formation (June 2005) Reversing an earlier decision by the Swiss government to eliminate funding for
new parks, the upper house of parliament approved annual funding of 10 million Swiss francs for a major new parks initiative.
The goal is to establish two new national parks, ten regional nature preserves, and three 'nature experience' parks.
To be considered for federal funding, park proposals must be supported by local residents and integrated with conservation
programs at the cantonal level. Currently, more than 30 projects are in some stage of design.
Hope for mountain farmers (March 2005) The
agriculture minister in the Tyrol, Josef Proell, holds out hope for the future of agriculture in the Tyrolean Oberland.
Characterized by small holdings and difficult growing conditions, farming is a secondary occupation for many farmers in the
region. Global competition threatens the existence of this type of agriculture. But Proell notes that beginning
in 2007, mountain farmers will be compensated for their ecological work -- the traditional "Kulturlandschaft" of Alpine meadows,
after all, depends on the grazing of farm animals. In addition, there will be more active marketing of regional
agricultural products.
New group promotes Alpine environment
According to
its website (www.actionnature.org), the objective of Action for Nature is to promote concrete projects for the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems
in the Alps. A major focus of the organization is the education of young people as well as raising public awareness
of environmental issues affecting the Alpine ecosystem.
The
Society for Ecological Research in Munich documents the shrinkage of many Alpine glaciers on its online Glacier Archive.
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