Gletscher- und Postgletscherökosysteme

What will happen when the glaciers are gone?

Since the end of the Little Ice Age (1850–1900 depending on the region) and through to the end of the 21st century, glacial retreat will have exposed hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of newly ice-free terrain. Within the Park’s territory, these areas of untouched nature will offer a diversity of terrestrial (rocky areas, grasslands, forests, etc.) and freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes, wetlands, etc.). In order to determine which plant and animal species already inhabit—or will come to inhabit—these areas, surveys are being conducted in recently deglaciated zones. A mapping and projection of post-glacial ecosystems will be produced. A 3D model of future glacial retreat will reveal the emerging topography in the deglaciated areas. The collection of previously unavailable scientific data on this new ecological frontier will improve our understanding and visibility of post-glacial ecosystems.

This project is part of a partnership with the Marge Sauvage association, which aims to develop interdisciplinary knowledge on glacial and post-glacial ecosystems, as well as to establish a new framework for protection and management. A collaboration is also in place with Flore Alpe and the Naturéum (Cantonal Museum of Natural Sciences of the State of Vaud).

Study area:

Proglacial margin of the Trient Glacier

Objectives:

• Enhance knowledge on glacier evolution, the characterization of ecosystems developed in ice-free zones since 1850, and their relevance to climate issues.

• Share this knowledge widely and make it accessible to the general public.

• Improve protection of glaciers and deglaciated zones.

Actions:

• Identify areas that have become ice-free since 1850 within the Park's territory and analyze the formation of ecosystems (notably using remote sensing).

• Collect data (flora/fauna) in these areas through low-tech field surveys and describe the developed ecosystems.

• Model future glacial retreat and the emerging topography in deglaciated zones.