Climate change Biodiversity Previous Next “Consumer actions have an effect on nature. Be aware of your choices. Do you have to pave your parking lot? Could you plant a tree rather than installing an air conditioner?” asks Markus Fischer of the University of Bern’s Institute of Plant Sciences. (123RF) 123RF “What’s really annoying is that [some] existing protected areas have not been well-maintained,” complains Werner Müller of BirdLife Switzerland. He says that Switzerland’s moors, in particular, are in a bad state. Pictured here are birch trees in the moor in Rothenthurm. (Keystone) KEYSTONE “A third of plant species are under threat, as are two thirds or more in the reptile kingdom,” says Markus Fischer. Pictured is a wall lizard, which likes sunny, rocky places. (Stiftung Wirtschaft und Ökologie) Stiftung Wirtschaft und Ökologie “There’s still space in settlements and on farmland that can be better used for biodiversity,” says Hans Romang, head of the species, ecosystems and landscapes division of the Federal Office for the Environment. Pointing out the economic incentives, he says landlords can charge higher rents in apartment complexes with attractive biotopes or nesting boxes. (Stefan Bohrer/BAFU) Stefan Bohrer/BAFU “Think of the contrast between a green and yellow field versus a colourful one, and the variety of life there,” suggests Hans Romang. (Keystone) Keystone “The cuckoo – well-known by many – has disappeared in many places in Switzerland. It should be possible to see it, hear its call, and watch its behaviour,” says Werner Müller. (Keystone) Keystone Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4 Picture 5 Picture 6 This content was published on November 28, 2017 - 11:33 Ester Unterfinger More from this author Ester Unterfinger (picture editor) You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us! If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.