Climate Change Effects on Alpine Meadows

Ardez
Meterological survey station Ardez 2180m

In Switzerland, Alpine meadows can be considered the backbone of traditional livestock farming. At the same time, they can be viewed as the cultural landscapes that are usually associated with Switzerland, both by the local population as well as by foreign visitors.

From a scientific viewpoint, this grassland has numerous functions:

  • Agricultural production (milk, meat)
  • High biodiversity ensures stably linked flora and fauna communities
  • An intact cultural landscape yields stable slopes, and protects surface water and groundwater
  • Depending on the environmental conditions, the alpine-pasture ecosystem either absorbs or releases carbon dioxide (CO2). In this way, the feedback process between biosphere and atmosphere can either reduce or exacerbate global warming

National and International Framework

Agroscope Air Pollution and Climate Research Group investigates the impact of climate change and air pollution on these alpine pastures in two FOEN-supported projects, thereby helping to set reduction targets for pollutant emissions in Europe via the CLRTAP (Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution) of the UNECE (United Nations Economic Comission on Europe). The research group participates in the WGE (Working Group on Effects) of the ICP Vegetation (International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollutants on Natural Vegetation and Crops).

WebCAM

Projects

41.01-Klimawandel-Ardez_Experiment_Teaser_Pferde

Ardez Experiment

Global warming, drought and atmospheric nitrogen inputs affect alpine meadows.

41.01-Klimawandel-View from south 3

Alp Flix Experiment

Air pollutants (ozone and nitrogen) affect alpine meadows.