In dialogue with WSL ¶

Rockfall is a significant natural hazard in mountainous areas posing a major threat to infrastructure, transportation lines, and human safety. Simulation techniques to predict rockfall trajectories in complex three-dimensional terrain have great practical value as they can be used to determine the danger of rockfall run-out zones as well as to dimension protection measures.

Biodiversity is more than an abstract concept—it can be experienced! Science journalist Atlant Bieri makes it tangible through sight, smell, and touch. In his talk, he’ll share how he communicates biodiversity to a broad audience.

Anhand eines einfachen Risikokonzepts (RI.S.S.K.) werden die zentralen Inhalte des klassischen Risikomanagements in eine leicht umsetzbare Form gebracht, die auch von ausgesprochenen Praktiker_innen gut umsetzbar sind. Mittels zugehöriger APP werden alle Grundlagen dokumentiert und kommuniziert bzw. in der jeweiligen Anwendergruppe auch geteilt.

Current trends in urban development across the planet contradict all principles of sustainability. It is a remarkable irony that the more knowledge and planning capacity societies have at their disposal, the more common increases in urban sprawl have become, particularly in Europe.

Despite increasing scientific knowledge and the implementation of hazard and risk management strategies, mountain societies continue to be affected by high loss events (e.g. events Grison, Valais, Ticino in the summer 2024).

The WSL Research Program Extremes warmly invites researchers, practitioners, government officials, and interested members of the press and public to attend a Forum für Wissen on the topic of Extremes. This one-day event held in Birmensdorf, Switzerland will present the state of research on future extreme events – in particular drought. It will also explore solutions for dealing with such events, developed in collaboration with practitioners.

As a drought-sensitive species, European beech is thought to be particularly vulnerable to climate change (Leuschner, 2020) and increasing temperatures and rain-free days in Switzerland and Europe. The drought in 2018 has led to significant dieback in Switzerland (Frei et al., 2022) and models estimate large reductions in population growth rate in the coming decades in Europe (Martinez del Castillo et al., 2022). However, there is evidence that some beech individuals or populations may be more drought tolerant (Kurath et al., 2024). Characterizing the spatial distribution of genomic variation underlying beech resistance to drier and hotter climates will be key to determine where and under what conditions beech forests will persist in Europe.

Biodiversity loss isn’t just a political issue—it’s a cultural one. In this talk, Claudi Keller will explore how narratives can shape values and influence action for biodiversity.

Flechten begegnet man auf Schritt und Tritt - vom Vorgarten bis auf die höchsten Berggipfel. Sie sind gute Indikatoren, beispielsweise zur Bestimmung der Luftgüte. Dieser Kurs gibt Einblick in die Biologie, Ökologie und die Bestimmung von Flechten. Anhand von ausgewählten Flechten werden die wichtigsten Merkmale zur Bestimmung von Flechten eingeführt. Wir werden auf Flechtenpirsch gehen, das gesammelte Material unter dem Binokular anschauen und mithilfe von Fachliteratur bestimmen.

For several decades now, the invasive ascomycete fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has caused a serious, steady population decline of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) across Europe. This decline in ash populations in Sweden caused the species to become Red-listed in 2010, and since 2015 its status has only worsened to become critically endangered.