WWF criticises state of Switzerland’s rivers

Switzerland's fish stocks are dwindling because of the presence of hormones and other chemicals in its freshwater system Keystone

Switzerland has been taken to task by the Worldwide Fund for Nature over the state of its rivers, lakes and wetlands. The criticism was contained in the WWF's index of water and wetlands for 16 European countries.

The index, which has just been published, analyses the condition of freshwater ecosystems all over Europe.

“Switzerland is very good on legislation and national monitoring programmes but our rivers are in very bad shape, said Matthias Egloff, spokesman for WWF Switzerland.

“As regards the ecological status of our wetlands and, in particular, running waters, we rank with countries like Turkey which aren’t as rich as we are and have more severe problems than we do.”

The index says that in Alpine regions, the rivers are generally in a reasonable condition but that lower down there are widespread problems notably on the floodplains.

The WWF estimates that only about two per cent of the original natural floodplains, which once covered the country, survive. These wetlands are vital because half of the plant biodiversity and a third of the bird life in Switzerland can be found there.

“The water flow is so regulated in Switzerland by hydro-power dams that they are not flooded often enough and they simply dry up and then they get too much water,” said Egloff.

He adds that another major problem in Switzerland is all the competing interests.

“We have agriculture, we have hydro-power and other players such as industry and housing and that leaves very little room for nature to create new, flooded areas. It’s dammed everywhere. That’s the problem.”

The WWF has also identified another danger to Switzerland’s freshwater system – the presence of hormones and other chemical substances from fertilisers, antibiotics and perfumes. This may explain why fish stocks are declining and could pose a potential threat to human health.

The index is essentially a wake-up call to governments to act before it is too late, said Egloff.

“We need wise use of our freshwater resources. This must be done with existing legislation with governments really putting this issue back on the agenda. If this is done, we will see improvements for all our wetlands and if not, we will run into problems even with our drinking water.”

At the end of 2001, the WWF will launch a second phase of the index, focusing on the response of national authorities in managing their freshwater ecosystems.

by Vincent Landon