Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL

Research 29.07.2025
Climate change has minor impact on marmots for now
Climate change has minor impact on marmots for now

Marmots now live at higher altitudes than they did 40 years ago, but climate change has not led to a major habitat shift.

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Murmeltier sitzt auf einem felsigen Bergpfad und schaut in die Kamera.
 
Research 28.07.2025
Stand-up paddle campaign is effective
Stand-up paddle campaign is effective

A WSL evaluation shows that a SUP awareness campaign is effective – those who are aware of it paddle in a nature-friendly manner.

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Vier Personen paddeln auf Stand-Up-Paddle-Boards auf einem ruhigen See in der Schweiz mit Bergen im Hintergrund
 
Research 17.07.2025
Common species: central to food webs
Common species: central to food webs

The loss of common species can destabilise entire ecosystems – with far-reaching consequences for humans and nature.

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Gemeine Heidelibelle im Flug vor unscharf grünem Hintergrund
 
Research 03.07.2025
Early detection of voracious beetles
Early detection of voracious beetles

The WSL, together with the FOEN, has developed a nationwide system for early detection of introduced pests.

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Asiatischer Eschenprachtkäfer mit metallisch grün-goldenem Körper auf einem Blatt mit Loch
 

Research for people and the environment in a changing world

News

Research
17.07.2025

What makes debris flows dangerous

A research team from WSL and ETH Zurich has measured a debris flow with high precision. This helps protective measures to be put in place.

Research
08.07.2025
Luftaufnahme des Amazonas mit breitem Fluss und dichtem Regenwald an beiden Ufern

Study answers one of Ecology’s oldest questions

A study published in Science shows a clear link between energy availability and biodiversity of terrestrial vertebrates.

Research
07.07.2025

New simulation: Snow, ice and rock avalanches

A 3D simulation tool developed by ETH and SLF researchers allows precise predictions of complex alpine mass movements.

Research
03.07.2025
Gruppe von Menschen hört einer Person zu, die neben einem kleinen Bach vor einem gelben Haus spricht, Frühlingsbäume im Hintergrund.

The cities of the future are blue-green

A video shows how urban development and biodiversity can go hand in hand thanks to cooperation between research and politics.

Research
06.06.2025
Felswand umgeben von Schnee und Eis

FAQ: Influence of permafrost on rock slope failure

The permafrost in the Alps is warming rapidly and affecting major rock slope instabilities. Answers to the most important questions.

Research
02.06.2025
Berglandschaft mit schneebedeckten Gipfeln und einem felsigen, schneefreien Hang im Vordergrund

Facts on the collapse of the Birch Glacier

In a factsheet reaserchers from WSL- and explain the background to the catastrophic collapse of the Birch Glacier - revised version.

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