Info Day

Biodiversity in federal politics (F)
Professor Dr Manuel Fischer, Environmental Social Sciences, Eawag
The topic of biodiversity in federal politics has a relatively low profile. Despite the current biodiversity crisis, it has hardly gained any traction in recent years. Although individual aspects of the topic attract political attention from time to time, they usually disappear quickly from the agenda. The presentation explores the reasons for these facts and outlines possible approaches to incorporate the topic of biodiversity more strongly in federal politics.

Between political quagmires and saving shores (D)
Lukas Berger Dipl. zool., lic. iur., Head of the Biodiversity Forum Switzerland 
The interface between water and land is not only exciting from a biodiversity perspective. Indeed the legal framework for these zones is often part of the political debate. However, it is becoming clear that legislations alone rarely lead to success in nature conservation. Although it is well understood that good solutions require dialogue between science, politics and society, this dialogue can only take place when communication bridges are in place. The Biodiversity Forum Switzerland shows how research can profitably bring its insights to the biodiversity debate.

Blue-green biodiversity: what does the Nature Conservation Act regulate? (D)
Dr Jennifer Vonlanthen, Deputy Head of Legal Services 1, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
The Federal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage regulates the protection and conservation of biological diversity, including blue-green biodiversity. Riverbank vegetation, which is considered particularly valuable, has benefited since increased protection from the very beginning of the legislation. Floodplains of national importance are also under a particularly strict protection regime. The presentation sets out the specific legal instruments provided by the law and shows where the challenges lie from a legal perspective.

The role of global research in policy-making (E)
Dr Dechen Lham, Environmental Social Sciences, Eawag

Social-ecological networks for biodiversity (F)
Dr Giulia Donati, Environmental Social Sciences, Eawag

River revitalisations with the local population (D)
Dr Matthias Buchecker, Economics and Social Sciences, WSL 
River revitalisations have been regulated by law in Switzerland since 2011, with a mandatory timetable for implementation. However, this implementation is clearly behind schedule, the primary reason being the resistance of local communities. This requires further investigation, as the vast majority of the population benefits from such measures. We have analysed the relationship of the local population with river revitalisations in several projects and were able to show the mechanisms on which this resistance is based. Finally, we are suggesting planning approaches offer potential for common solutions.

Inter- and transdisciplinarity in biodiversity (D)
Dr Jana Thierfelder, Environmental Social Sciences, Eawag

Beavers are creating new blue-green habitats (D)
PD Dr Anita C. Risch, Ecology of Biotic Communities, WSL 
Beavers are ecosystem engineers that transforms their environment. They dam streams and flood the surrounding countryside, creating branched marshlands. Consequently, beavers promote the diversity of water structures and species richness and thereby have a positive influence on ecosystem functions. Together with national stakeholders, we investigate the interactions between biodiversity and the beaver habitat and try to better assess the potential of beavers for nature and species conservation.

Blue-green infrastructure for amphibians (D)
Dr Helen Moor, Systems Analysis, Integrated Assessment and Modelling, Eawag 
Amphibians have become scarcer as wetlands and small bodies of water have disappeared from our landscapes. The Canton of Aargau has been countering this trend for 20 years by building many new ponds. Our analysis of the monitoring data shows that the colonisation of new ponds has halted the downward trend in endangered amphibians and led to increases in many species. We also shed light on how and where ponds can be built to promote essential species in the long term. 

Designing our neighbourhoods for biodiversity (F)
Dr Lauren M. Cook, Urban Water Management, Eawag
Our residential areas can contribute to preserving threatened biodiversity. Blue and green areas such as ponds and green roofs can create habitats and connecting paths for plants and animals. The focus should be on maximising the ecological benefit. We will show how this can be achieved through local measures across the urban landscape, for example by planting diverse vegetation, providing water, connecting adjacent habitats and removing obstacles. 

Planning principles for ecological infrastructure (D)
Dr Philipp Brun, Landscape Dynamics, WSL
The development of an ecological infrastructure is a core concern of the “Swiss Biodiversity Strategy” action plan, which is to be implemented by 2040. High-value areas must be placed under protection and existing protective areas must be better connected. We have developed analyses for the prioritisation of such additional areas, taking into account their quality, their contribution to the connectivity of existing protected areas and their vulnerability to climate change. We have taken into account various habitats individually.

Promoting biodiversity via municipal land use planning (D)
Dr Stephanie Schwab, Landscape Dynamics, WSL