Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL

Institutional 07.10.2026
WSL at the UN Biodiversity Conference
WSL at the UN Biodiversity Conference

This October, five WSL scientists will attend the UN Biodiversity Conference in Armenia.

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A cityscape with residential buildings in the background and a grassy hill in the foreground, set against a blue sky.
 
Research 15.09.2026
Blatten reconstructed using seismic data
Blatten reconstructed using seismic data

Using earthquake sensors, a research team has reconstructed the Blatten rock and ice avalanche. This is meant to help analyze such events.

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The photo shows an aerial view of the rock and ice avalanche in Blatten, with snow-capped peaks.
 
Research 10.09.2026
Wood formation: rate matters more than duration
Wood formation: rate matters more than duration

Although climate warming extends growing season for trees, the rate of growth is the main driving factor when it comes to wood formation.

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Institutional 04.09.2026
'The summer of 2026 could be an eye-opener'
'The summer of 2026 could be an eye-opener'

Brown trees and dry riverbeds: WSL Director Rolf Holderegger explains in an interview what needs to be done after the summer of 2026.

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Flussbett mit klarem Wasser links und Kiesufer rechts, umgeben von dichtem grünem Laubwald unter blauem Himmel
 

Research for people and the environment in a changing world

News

Research
01.10.2026
A view from inside an ice cave with smooth, bluish ice walls and rocks on the floor

Swiss glaciers lose a further five per cent of their volume

Draught and a winter with little snow led to another devastating year for the glaciers, as shown by the GLAMOS network.

Research
24.09.2026
Aerial view of a dense forest filled with various shades of green trees, including coniferous and deciduous types, with some dead trees in between.

The state of Switzerland’s forests in 2026

The 2026 Sanasilva survey shows a significant deterioration in the crown condition of deciduous trees. Read more in the Sanasilva Bulletin.

Institutional
17.09.2026

ERC award for participatory forest research

Katalin Csilléry is awarded the ERC Public Engagement with Research Award 2026 for her project “MyGardenOfTrees".

Research
10.09.2026

Flavescence dorée: managing hazel bushes can help

In Ticino, the clear-cutting of hazel trees near vineyards permanently reduces a vector of flavescence dorée, Orientus ishidae.

Institutional
08.09.2026
A large pile of logs in front of a traditional farmhouse, with a forest in the background

Sustainable timber production through biodiversity

At the Forest Dialogue, scientists, policymakers and practitioners will discuss how wood can be produced sustainably.

Research
31.08.2026
A bearded man in a red jacket is standing in front of a lake in a mountainous landscape.

“We need the natural and social sciences.”

Pascal Haegeli, the new head of the SLF’s Snow Avalanches and Prevention research unit, talks about his plans for his field of research.

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Events

13 to 15 October 2026

Applied causal analysis methods for ecologists

A 3-day course for WSL and Eawag staff.

3 November 2026

ORD ETH Measure 2 Outreach Event

As the Open Research Data (ORD) Program reaches its conclusion, join the research community for a full day of knowledge sharing, networking,…

6 November 2026

Fachtagung Wildbäche

Ziel der Fachtagung ist es, den Erfahrungs- und Wissensaustausch sowie die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Forschung und Praxis im Bereich Wildbäche…

All Events