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 are stable and fertile. At WSL we have been developing a scientific basis for monitoring and enhancing biodiversity.

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Landscapes are continually changing. These changes occur on a large scale at a slow pace. At WSL we are investigating their causes and the effects they have on humans and the environment. This research provides a sound scientific basis for selecting measures to protect the values and resources of existing landscapes.

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Natural hazards, such as avalanches, rockfall and debris flow, can cause substantial damage in Switzerland. Research at WSL helps to protect people from such hazards. WSL has established several unique experimental stations to find out more about the processes involved in avalanches, rockfall and debris flow in order to improve protection measures and warning systems when such events occur.

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WSL focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources such as timber, water, snow and soil. These resources are surveyed and their development simulated by computer models. This enables WSL, among other things, to find optimal solutions for an economically sound and sustainable use of forests without compromising other ecosystem services of forests for humans and nature.

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A forest is an ecosystem. At WSL we are studying the influence of soil, water, air, climate, plants and animals on the growth and development processes in forests, with a special focus on assessing the effects of changes in climate. Here below-ground processes involving roots, fungi, bacteria and the forest soil play an essential role.

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