Researchers are surprised at the speed of colonisation by non-native flora, which was measured at 16% growth over a ten-year observation period, in common with other alpine regions around the world.
A global study led by the federal technology institute ETH Zurich traced the spread of invasive plants between 2007 and 2017 in Switzerland, Chile, Australia, Tenerife, the United States mainland, Hawaii, Kashmir, and Norway.
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How Switzerland is battling invasive species
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Switzerland has waged war on invasive species. The fight is starting to bear fruit, but private citizens have to lend a hand.
“We were surprised that their spread is proceeding so rapidly and that the number of alien species has increased so much within a decade,” said ETH Zurich doctoral student Evelin Iseli. “Normally, it takes several decades for species to become established and widespread in an area.”
Invasive plant species have also taken root at much higher elevations than expected, which has been put down to rapidly rising temperatures around the world.
Scientists concentrated their research along roads and other transport routes, which are the most likely places for people to introduce invasive plants, intentionally or unwittingly.
Alien flora also has a better chance of thriving along roadsides and rail tracks where the habitat has been disturbed to the point that native plantss have less chance of seeing off the new competitors.
The results of the 15,000 observations of 616 non-native plant species from 651 study plots in several countries have been published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.
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Alien spiders in Switzerland – how worried should we be?
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Media reports and social media posts about the rapid spread of so-called Nosferatu spiders have caused unease throughout Switzerland.
Gotthard traffic queue hits 20km during holiday weekend
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The traffic jam at the Gotthard north portal reached a length of 20 kilometres on the motorway between canton Nidwalden and canton Uri.
Swiss Interior Minister visits Cannes Film Festival
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Swiss Interior Minister left the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday after three days of intensive dialogue, meetings and film screenings.
Swiss theatre director breaks with tradition at Vienna’s Rathausplatz
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With the proclamation of the "Free Republic of Vienna", the start of the festival on Friday evening was unusually political.
Swiss foreign minister backs Berset at Council of Europe
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Cassis described Berset as the "ideal candidate" to help the Council realise its aim of ensuring security and peace in Europe.
Gay conversion therapy banned in Swiss canton of Valais
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On Thursday, the canton approved a new Health Act which includes a ban on therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.
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Alien spiders in Switzerland – how worried should we be?
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Media reports and social media posts about the rapid spread of so-called Nosferatu spiders have caused unease throughout Switzerland.
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Biological diversity in Switzerland faces alarming challenges, with more endangered animals and plants than in most other European countries.
More mammals living in Switzerland than 25 years ago
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In 1995, there were 87 mammal species in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Today there are 99. However, many species are far from being out of the woods.
COP 15, a summit to halt the mass extinction of species
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The UN Conference on Biodiversity, opening this week in Montreal, hopes to reach an agreement to stem the ongoing disappearance of fauna and flora.
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Switzerland has waged war on invasive species. The fight is starting to bear fruit, but private citizens have to lend a hand.
Switzerland makes environmental move against stone gardens
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The Swiss government wants to discourage a growing trend for stone or gravel gardens, and experts agree they do not help the environment.
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