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Biodiversity Description Projects Publications Services Dossiers Expertise Teaching activities Landscape Development Management of Natural Hazards Natural Resources Forest Ecosystems

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Research units

Research unit Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Research unit Community Ecology

Research unit Landscape Dynamics

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Biodiversity

Biodiversity is steadily decreasing in Switzerland. Steps must be taken to protect it so that ecosystems can continue to provide such valuable services as ensuring that soils remain stable and fertile. At WSL we have been developing a scientific basis for monitoring and enhancing biodiversity.

In focus

Landscape genetics: making the invisible visible

Landscape genetics combines landscape ecology and population genetics, enabling connections to be made between the dispersal of plants and animals on the one hand and landscape elements that act as barriers or corridors on the other. Landscape genetics therefore provides a relevant basis for the planning and implementation of nature conservation measures.

Available languages: German English

Species richness and genetic diversity do not go hand in hand in alpine plants

25.09.2012: A high level of species diversity in alpine plants does not necessarily go hand in hand with a high level of genetic diversity. This finding suggests that new future strategies are needed to protect biodiversity in the Alpine region.

Available languages: German English French

Holy bat detector! Ecologists develop first Europe-wide bat ID tool

07.08.2012: Researchers developed a web application which allows to identify bats from all over Europe from their echolocation calls. The study outlining this procedure was published in the Journal of Applied Ecology of the British Ecological Society.

Available languages: German English French