Farming has been blamed for the dangerous decline of several Swiss plant, bird and insect species, including the Damon blue butterfly and whinchat bird.
Researchers were expecting to find the opposite results as fewer species can be supported at higher altitudes.
“Numerous studies show that the intensive human use of the landscape in the lowlands is the reason for this situation,” read a press releaseExternal link on Monday.
The study also measured the impact of Biodiversity Priority Areas (BPAs) for which farmers receive subsidies to manage their land in a more ecologically-friendly way. In general, BPAs contained much greater biodiversity compared to areas outside of these zones. But the difference was more pronounced in lowland regions than in the mountains.
Agroscope said it would continue monitoring farming land to gain greater insight into its impact on biodiversity.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
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The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
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The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
OECD: Sluggish economic activity slowing growth in Switzerland
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Sluggish economic activity at the start of the year is weighing on growth in Switzerland, with GDP expected to fall to 1.1% in 2024.
Report finds mistakes which led to Swiss government data breach
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Mistakes were made by both the government and internet company Xplain in the case of a criminal cyber-attack on the Bern-based IT business.
Swiss government wants better gender balance in federal administration
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New Swiss government personnel management targets say there must be even more female managers in the federal administration.
Swiss national science foundation funded over 5,000 projects in 2023
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In 2023, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provided a total of CHF961 million worth of funding towards research projects.
Switzerland invites 160 delegations to June Ukraine peace talks
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Russia is currently not among the delegations invited to talks aimed at helping bring about peace in the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.
Survey: air travel most popular way to go on holidays for Swiss
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Despite the climate crisis, flying is the most popular mode of transport for private travel – particularly among young, urban and high-income travellers.
Swiss government to use phone data to identify asylum seekers
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From April 2025, authorities plan to be able to analyse data from mobile phones, computers and other data carriers to identify asylum seekers.
Calls grow louder for pesticide-free food and water
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Two separate proposals are demanding a reform of Switzerland's agriculture and food production sectors, phasing out the use of synthetic pesticides.
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Water will become so scarce or so warm in Switzerland that humans will have to curb their activities and nature will suffer.
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