Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL

Research 07.07.2026
Why Europe’s trees are dying
Why Europe’s trees are dying

Deviations from the usual climate are causing trees to die prematurely. Even favourable growing conditions can have a negative impact.

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Aerial view of a dense forest filled with various shades of green trees, including coniferous and deciduous types, with some dead trees in between.
 
Research 02.07.2026
When brown leaves don't mean Autumn
When brown leaves don't mean Autumn

Increasingly, forest trees are changing colour prematurely due to heat waves and extreme droughts. Why this is a problem.

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A young oak plant with a mix of vibrant green and brown leaves, some showing yellow edges. The leaves vary in shape, with some being lobed and others more rounded, set against a background of dry, fallen leaves.
 
Research 30.06.2026
Typical landscapes of Switzerland
Typical landscapes of Switzerland

A new method makes it possible to map Switzerland’s characteristic landscapes across the whole country.

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A vast moorland landscape with rolling hills, meadows and trees. The sky is overcast, and thick fog is rolling across the hills in the background. In the foreground lies an autumnal moor.
 
Research 26.06.2026
The Swansong of the Glaciers
The Swansong of the Glaciers

Swiss glaciers are receding at a rapid pace – and this has already become apparent in the volume of meltwater during extreme years.

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The ice cave at the Vadret da Morteratsch (GR). There are big chunks of ice and water in front of it.
 

Research for people and the environment in a changing world

News

Research
23.06.2026

Graubünden blooms with Flora Raetica

"Flora of Graubünden" will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2032—for the new edition, volunteers and researchers are documenting the local flora.

Research
18.06.2026

Early risk detection for river fish

With the rising frequency of heatwaves, a tool generates heat predictions for river fish in Switzerland for proactive river management

Research
16.06.2026
Tree with sun behind it along a narrow path on a green meadow under a blue sky

New map showing light and shade in Switzerland

SLF researchers have calculated ground light levels in Switzerland to within ten metres. The model even simulates individual tree shadows.

Research
12.06.2026
Dry riverbed with rocky bottom and forested banks under blue sky

"The heat is gone, but the drought remains."

Not enough snow, not enough water: An interview with SLF hydrologist Manuela Brunner on the causes of the ongoing drought in Switzerland.

Services and products
11.06.2026

What have we learned about climatic extremes?

Heat, drought, heavy rain: a new website presents the key findings and products of the WSL research programme “Extremes”.

Services and products
04.06.2026
Two hikers are standing on rocks covered in a light dusting of snow, looking out over a mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks. Yellow larch trees stand beside them. The sky is clear and blue.

Nothing stays the same: understanding change

To be prepared for the future, we need to understand the past. The new DIAGONAL explains how WSL and SLF are helping to achieve this.

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Events

16 to 21 August 2026

Forests for the future: strategies for carbon sequestration

Join for the interdisciplinary Summer School, which SCENE is organizing together with the TriNational ForestLab, the SwissForestLab and the…

21 August 2026

Science for Policy Workshop in Biodiversity and Beyond

This workshop for Early Career Researchers combines expert perspectives with hands-on methods, including a fishbowl discussion, LEGO®…

23 to 28 August 2026

Summer School 2026: Blue-green biodiversity. Research and practice at the interface of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

The WSL-Eawag Biodiversity Center is pleased to announce the fourth summer school on blue-green biodiversity.

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