Retreating glaciers threaten biodiversity in the Alps, warns study
The Rhone Glacier in canton Valais. 2022 was a disastrous year for Swiss glaciers - 2023 looks set to be another bad one.
Keystone/ Valentin Flauraud
As glaciers melt in the Alps at unprecedented rates due to the climate crisis, river biodiversity is under threat and many invertebrate species risk extinction, a new study shows.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/The Guardian/sp
Español
es
El retroceso de los glaciares amenaza la biodiversidad de los Alpes, advierte un estudio
A study publishedExternal link in the Nature Ecology and Evolution journal on Thursday by scientists from Switzerland, Austria, Italy and the United Kingdom shows how invertebrates living in the cold glacier meltwater of the Alps could disappear with the retreating of the glaciers due to climate change. This could have consequences on the entire food chain.
Glacier rivers in the Alps are home to many invertebrate species, such as stone flies or flatworms, which are an essential component of the ecosystem. They serve as food for fish, amphibians, birds and mammals.
But with global temperatures rising and glaciers retreating, the living conditions for these animals are becoming more and more hostile. The year 2023 is looking to be another disastrous one for Swiss glaciers, with snow cover around 30% below the average of the last ten years.
The study authors collected data from 30 years and conducted simulations on the evolution of 15 invertebrate species in the Alpine environment between 2020 and 2100. Researchers now predict that rivers will become warmer, drier or ever disappear due to climate change, so these organisms could lose most of their habitat.
Most of these invertebrates will face population drops, and some even risk extinction in the Alps. These include the stonefly Rhabdiopteryx and non-biting midges. It’s also not clear whether these animals will be able to migrate to new havens, since they are not good at flying or moving long distances.
But even if some try to climb to cooler areas, these are currently not entirely protected. So, scientists say this will bring “new challenges for the protection of biodiversity.”
“Alpine conservation strategies must change to accommodate the future effects of global warming,” conclude the researchers.
More
The Swiss Alps are beautiful, but are they biodiverse?
The demands of a growing human population often clash with the needs of nature, a fact that regularly sparks political debate in Switzerland.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Switzerland wants to examine cooperation with the EU in the defence sector
This content was published on
The Federal Council wants to examine a security and defence partnership with the EU. Exploratory talks are to begin as soon as possible. Among other things, the partnership would be used for defence procurement.
Swiss trial shows organic farming is 85% as productive as conventional agriculture
This content was published on
This is shown by the results of a globally unique open-air trial that has been running for 47 years in Therwil in the canton of Basel-Landschaft.
Nestlé fined by Swiss canton for illegally filtered water
This content was published on
Nestlé has been fined CHF 500,000 in the canton of Vaud for the unauthorised use of activated carbon filters in the production of mineral water. The filters were used to produce Henniez water from 2008 to 2022.
Swiss government proposes restrictions on Ukrainian refugees
This content was published on
Only those whose life and limb are at risk in Ukraine and who flee to Switzerland are to be granted S status in future. The remaining Ukrainian refugees should apply for asylum. This is what the Federal Council is proposing.
This content was published on
The Fribourg parliament approved a sum of CHF6.4 million to renovate the ramparts, the walkway and the towers, as well as to replace the exterior lighting.
Swiss rental housing listings increase for the first time in three years
This content was published on
For the first time in three years, the number of advertisements for rental accommodation is on the rise, but this does not dampen demand, quite the contrary. In Ticino, the average duration of an advertisement published on the main portals is 30 days.
Switzerland doing relatively well when it comes to child vaccination rates
This content was published on
Progress in child immunisation has stalled. For decades, the number of children vaccinated against measles, polio and other diseases has risen. But since 2010, vaccination rates have stagnated in many countries, according to a study.
‘The only way to save glaciers is to stop global warming’
This content was published on
Balzan Prize winner Johannes Oerlemans talks about the most important discoveries of his career and his attempt to preserve a glacier in Switzerland.
Lake invaders: alien shellfish trouble Swiss waters
This content was published on
Switzerland may be landlocked, but that doesn’t keep foreign marine life from threatening its ecosystems. Could eating them be part of the solution?
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.