A new Swiss test-site for avalanche experiments has been built to study the overall dynamic behaviour of dense-flow and powder-snow avalanches and to measure avalanche impact forces along their path. The site began operation in 1997/1998 and is a milestone of avalanche dynamics research at the WSL-SLF.

Available languages: German  English  French 

The SLF is testing and refining a variety of techniques for detecting avalanches automatically. The goal is to develop an avalanche detection system that is capable of operating in any visibility and delivering information concerning avalanche activity in a specific section of terrain to avalanche warning services and safety authorities.

Available languages: German  English  French  Italian 

In this interdisciplinary project research teams from WSL (Mountain Hydrology and Torrents), Univ. Bern (Hydrology), ETH Zürich (Atmosphere and Climate, VAW Glaciology, Centre of Energy Policy and Economics) and Univ. Zürich (Physical Geography) have investigated the effect of a changing climate on the Swiss Hydropower production.

Available languages: German  English  French 

The project HYDRALP deals with the topic of transport processes such as debris flows and fluvial bedload transport during flood events in torrents and mountain rivers of the canton Valais

Available languages: German  English 

Im Projekt werden Methoden weiterentwickelt, mit denen anhand von Feldmessungen eine Abschätzung der Transportkapazität von Wildbächen und damit verlässlichere Gefahrenbeurteilungen möglich sind.

Available languages: German  English 

Für den Kegelbereich des Illgrabens wird zum Schutz vor Murgängen ein Notfallkonzept erarbeitet und ein zugehöriges Alarmierungssystem installiert. Es überbrückt die Zeit bis zur Realisierung von baulichen Massnahmen und bezweckt die Minimierung der bei einem Murgangereignis zu erwartenden Personenschäden unter Berücksichtigung des verbleibenden Restrisikos.

Available languages: German 

A new load model describes the interaction between a debris flow and a flexible protection barrier. Compared to similar barriers against rockfalls with a well-known load due to the rigid behaviour of the rock, the loads submitted by a debris flow are quite unknown, neither in Switzerland nor worldwide. An extensive experimental programme with full-size and laboratory dynamic tests delivers the needed information for proper simulation models.

Available languages: English 

Effekte des Klimawandels wie tauender Permafrost und kollabierende Blockgletscher führen mancherorts zu instabilen Hängen und damit vermehrt zu lockerem Gesteinsmaterial. Betroffen davon ist auch das Mattertal VS. Die WSL erarbeitet dort zusammen mit verschiedenen Partnern Grundlagen für geeignete Schutzmassnahmen.

Available languages: German  English  French 

Differing from standard rockfall barriers, rockfall attenuator systems intercept a rockfall trajectory guiding it under a tail drape, its kinetic energy is then dissipated through net deformations and interaction with the slope. Rockfall can then be contained at the base of slope avoiding maintenance and clean out costs commonly associated with standard rockfall barriers.

Available languages: English 

How fast do plant species recolonise the burned soils after forest fires, and which factors facilitate or inhibit tree regeneration? In this project we monitor re-vegetation with respect to vascular plants and mosses along an elevational gradient ranging from 900 to 2100 m asl. Results will be used to derive management strategies in relation to forest fires.

Available languages: German  English 

A recent study on Scots pine and pubescent oak in Valais indicated that both species might not have the potential for long-term establishment and performance under an expected drier climate. We want to find out if non-endemic species can contribute to the tree-species portfolio for a drier future climate.

Available languages: German  English 

Recent Scots pine mortality in forests of the upper Rhone valley have been suggested to be caused by climate change. In an ongoing PhD study, effects of different climate parameters and interspecific competition on the regeneration of both Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and black pine (Pinus nigra) are tested.

Available languages: German  English  French