Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL

Research 02.06.2026
Historical data on insect diversity in Switzerland
Historical data on insect diversity in Switzerland

National data archive reveals for the first time how the diversity of butterflies and beetles in Switzerland has changed over 90 years.

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A close-up of a butterfly perched on a yellow flower's center, showcasing its delicate wings with orange and brown patterns. The background features a soft, blurred green that highlights the butterfly and flower. In the Swiss Plateau, the butterfly Lycaena virgaureae, whose caterpillar feeds exclusively on sorrel, has disappeared. In other regions, the population is stable. (Photo: Felix Neff)
 
Research 26.05.2026
Practical tools for tackling climate change
Practical tools for tackling climate change

New digital tools are helping the agriculture, forestry and water management to deal with the challenges posed by climate change.

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A serene forest scene featuring tall, straight trees with a vibrant green undergrowth. The sunlight filters through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground, creating a peaceful and natural atmosphere.
 
Research 18.05.2026
A peckish bumblebee, on the wing…
A peckish bumblebee, on the wing…

WSL researchers have investigated what makes neighbourhoods attractive to pollinating insect species.

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Research 05.05.2026
Scenarios for Switzerland’s future
Scenarios for Switzerland’s future

What could Swiss society look like at the end of the century, and what would that mean for the climate? This was the focus of a new project.

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A rainbow arches over a green, sun-drenched landscape with a town in the foreground. The sky is gloomy and covered in dark clouds, but in places the sun shines through, creating a contrast to the overcast atmosphere.
 

Research for people and the environment in a changing world

News

Institutional
01.06.2026
Four individuals stand together in a modern interior setting. They are dressed in casual and business attire. The first person on the left wears a light sweater, the second has a red shirt, the third is in a button-up shirt, and the fourth wears a dark top.

New SLF management team

Following the retirement of the former head of the SLF, the institute is now being co-led by the four on-site heads of unit.

Institutional
29.05.2026

"No plan but plenty of passion"

SLF head Jürg Schweizer is retiring. In this interview, he discusses his career highlights and why he plans to continue researching.

Institutional
22.05.2026

Two new members join the WSL Directorate

The ETH Board has appointed climate researcher Nadine Salzmann and forest ecologist Arthur Gessler to the WSL Directorate.

Research
12.05.2026
A peaceful wetland scene featuring standing dead trees among lush green grass and foliage. A small pond with green vegetation is visible, surrounded by fallen logs and dense greenery, creating a natural habitat.

Greater biodiversity thanks to wetland forests

A guide helps project leaders restore wetland forests to promote biodiversity and combat climate change.

Institutional
30.04.2026
A smiling man sits next to a computer on a desk, with shelves of books and files in the background. He wears a dark sweater and has gray hair, looking comfortably at the camera in an office-like environment.

Wohlgemuth steps down from WSL Directorate

At the end of April 2026, the WSL will bid farewell to Tom Wohlgemuth, a defining figure of its Directorate.

Institutional
22.04.2026

WSL research on megadroughts wins award

WSL researcher Liangzhi Chen is the Swiss champion of the Frontiers Planet Prize, which recognises solutions to the planetary crisis.

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Events

9 June 2026

Symposium: Trait-based ecology, climate change research and conservation: an environmental space perspective

The climate space approach studies diversity patterns directly in environmental space and using environmental bins instead of geographic…

9 to 12 June 2026

Workshop: Integrating the environmental space approach into ecology and conservation

How can the climate space approach contribute to the fields of trait-based ecology, climate change research and conservation?

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…

All Events