Unfortunately, we missed the chance for a better scenario several years ago.
But hey – have a consolation prize.
A little chocolate to sweeten your naivety?
Take a look at a more realistic level.
Oh – you still believe in a perfect world?
Did you really think there was a better scenario?
You dreamer, you.
Unfortunately, we can’t turn back time.
The past is gone for good.
Can’t handle reality?
It’s okay – we’ve got something to help you.
Climate warming favours heat-loving species, which are now moving into higher elevations. We might welcome more butterflies like the Short-tailed Blue – but we could certainly do without a tick invasion. Drought, in turn, can cause species to die out locally.
It’s a question of pace: if changes occur gradually, ecosystems can adapt. If they happen abruptly, over just a few decades, the consequences for ecosystems are profound.
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More freshly dead plant material can encourage smaller fires. continue to Forest Fires
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Changes in water quantity and temperature lead to a decline in biodiversity. back to Water Balance
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Diverse regeneration with climate-adapted tree species is essential for future-proof protection forests. In the Southern Alps in particular, browsing by wildlife and invasive species make this even more difficult. continue to Loss of Protection Forests
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Heat-loving animal and plant species are expanding, while cold-adapted species retreat. back to Heat
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So far, the impact of biodiversity loss on agriculture is still barely visible. continue to Agriculture
Due to climate warming, ecological conditions are changing within just a few years – to the detriment of animal and plant species that cannot adapt quickly enough. For example, the reproductive cycle of the mountain hare is no longer synchronised with food availability. At the time that the young hares need nourishment, alpine herbs have almost finished flowering.
Such shifts throw ecosystems out of balance. They can trigger unwanted chain reactions – at the end of which humans, too, are affected.
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Freshly dead plant material increases regional wildfire risk, including north of the Alps. continue to Forest Fires
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Warmer water promotes the establishment of invasive species that benefit from the altered conditions and displace native species. back to Water Balance
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As today's main tree species such as beech and spruce become less reliable, regeneration must focus on climate-adapted species such as silver fir or oak. These species, however, are sensitive to browsing by wildlife. continue to Loss of Protection Forests
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Heat-loving species are increasingly establishing themselves further north and at higher elevations. Cold-adapted or less mobile species are coming under mounting pressure. back to Heat
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Reduced pollination by insects leads to losses in agricultural production. Not only the climate, but also pesticide use in Swiss agriculture has taken its toll on beneficial insects. continue to Agriculture
His name is Hare – and he doesn’t yet know what’s coming. One example of how climate warming undermines survival strategies that have evolved over millennia is the mountain hare. With its white winter coat, it becomes easy prey as snow cover declines and melts earlier in the year. Some plant species die off during prolonged, multi-year summer droughts and are replaced within a few years by more tolerant species.
The rapid pace of change leads to entire species disappearing from ecosystems. This makes these ecosystems more unstable and more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and invasive species.
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Large amounts of freshly dead plant material promote larger and longer-lasting fires in some regions – including north of the Alps. continue to Forest Fires
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Changes in runoff regimes and water quality intensify biodiversity loss in aquatic ecosystems, affecting both flora and fauna. back to Water Balance
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Regeneration with climate-adapted tree species in protection forests is becoming increasingly costly – and a race against time. continue to Loss of Protection Forests
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Higher average and maximum temperatures affect species composition and distribution. There are clear winners (heat-loving, heat-tolerant, and mobile species) and losers. back to Heat
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Pollination services provided by insects are significantly reduced, and pest outbreaks put additional pressure on agriculture. The use of pesticides further facilitates the spread of heat-loving pests. continue to Agriculture
That's it. RIP.
That's a bit too much.
Maybe go down a level?
Got it – you're really into extremes.
Game over.
Try a different level.
That extreme? You’ll find the matching soundtrack here.
We’re done with this planet.
On to the next!
Solutionsfor: Biodiversity
To protect the habitats of threatened species, ecological infrastructure must be prioritised. This includes expanding existing protected areas and establishing new conservation zones at higher elevations.
Wetlands are exceptionally valuable for biodiversity. To protect them from drying out, waterways channelled underground could be reopened to increase water availability.
An important ally in this endeavour is the beaver: its dams create oases for biodiversity – and it carries out its work as a landscape architect on an entirely voluntary basis.