News

Soils and forests are very dry, the water in rivers and lakes low. July started drier than the scorching summer of 2015. More on drought.ch (German).

Spectacular outbreak of the larvae of the grey larch tortrix in Engadine and Valais: the trees look ill, but will recover within short time.

The southern location of WSL opened its doors to the public on June 9, 2018.

Farming of palm oil crop has a major impact on the environment. A study by EPFL and the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL shows possible solutions.

Data collection for the fifth Swiss National Forest Inventory (NFI) has just got under way.

Which tree species should foresters and forest owners promote in view of climate change? The WSL report provides the basis for decisions.

The chemistry of soil water in forests has changed in Europe: there is a large decrease in the amount of sulphate, nutrients and aluminium.

Soils harbour countless organisms that are paramount in degrading organic matter. (German only)

The Swiss National Forest Inventory at the WSL has completed the first census of red forest ants in Switzerland. (German or French)

2017 saw the highest cost of damage caused by flooding, landslides, debris flows, rockfall and rock avalanches since 2007.

A jury met at WSL to choose among the 12 finalistes of the Swiss Arctic Project.

The amount of spruce wood infested by bark beetles in Switzerland has risen further in 2017, according to the Swiss Forest Protection at WSL.

Researchers have for the first time in Switzerland isolated three bacteria species associated with Acute Oak Decline (AOD). (German only)

Apply before February 25th to take part in a climate expedition to the Arctic next summer alongside four other young people.

At the SLF, Top scientists and leading politicians discussed how science contributes to prosperity and a safe, secure society.

In the Swiss Alps, the time lag between leafing of trees at high and low altitudes has shortened dramatically since the 1960s.

Scots pines from the last ice age reveal interesting facts about the climate back then. Researchers from WSL know managed to isolate DNA from the ancient wood.

The ETH Zurich has appointed the tree physiologist Arthur Gessler, leader of the gropu Forest Growth and Climate at WSL, as adjunct professor.

Francesca Pellicciotti has been awarded a substantial EU grant for her research into glacier retreat in the Himalayas. She will carry out the glacial research while based at WSL.