Recorded Earthquake History and Seismic Records associated with the Entlebuch Landscape

Naturschutzgebiet Laubersmad - Salwidili: Exploring a Vast Swiss Moorland and Alpine Reserve

A critical moorland complex in the heart of Kanton Luzern

Spanning over 1,300 hectares, this protected nature reserve in Kanton Luzern constitutes the largest contiguous moorland landscape in Switzerland. The area is defined by a unique geological flysch trough that supports a rich diversity of peatland types, including raised bogs and fens, alongside spruce forest and alpine pasture. As an IUCN Category IV area, it provides essential habitat for endangered mire flora and high-altitude wildlife in a remarkably intact hydrological setting.

Area

13.76 km²

IUCN

IV

Relief

Mountain

Scope

Terrestrial

Naturschutzgebiet Gauligletscher: Glacial Landscape and Nature Reserve in Bern

A high-alpine protected area in the Bernese Oberland

Discover the unique geography of Naturschutzgebiet Gauligletscher, a protected area in Bern featuring a wide amphitheater of moraines, glacial lakes, and retreating ice. This site functions as an active laboratory for river dynamics and alpine vegetation colonization across an expansive, mineral-dominated valley floor.

Area

5.7 km²

Established

2001

IUCN

IV

Relief

Mountain

Aarelandschaft zwischen Thun und Bern: Protected Landscape and River Corridor Geography

Mapping the floodplain remnants of the Aare river corridor

The Aarelandschaft zwischen Thun und Bern protects a unique corridor of riparian forest, wet meadows, and springs along the Aare river. Situated in the Kanton Bern, this landscape retains evidence of historic river engineering alongside ongoing restoration programs that reconnect vital lowland ecosystems. It stands as a significant natural corridor in a densely populated region, marked by its molasse hills and varied alluvial topography.

Area

10.4 km²

Established

1983

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Aareknie Wolfwil-Wynau: Geographic Profile of a Swiss Protected River Landscape

Mapping dynamic river bends and lowland floodplains in the Swiss Mittelland.

Aareknie Wolfwil-Wynau preserves a rare, non-engineered river reach where the Aare cuts through molasse rock. The area is defined by its active gravel bars, rapids, and federally protected floodplain habitats. This site provides a critical look at how lowland river ecosystems function alongside historic cultural landmarks like the medieval church at Wynau.

Area

1.1 km²

Established

1996

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Naturschutzgebiet Mederlouwenen: Alpine Moor and Protected Glacial Terrain in the Bernese Oberland

A high-elevation nature reserve featuring rare flat-moor vegetation and peat-forming bogs.

Naturschutzgebiet Mederlouwenen occupies a distinctive series of glacial granite terraces in the Bernese Oberland, where high-altitude slope bogs and relict conifer forests create a vital refuge for rare alpine flora. This protected area stands as a primary example of Swiss mountain ecology, blending ancient geological history with the fragile, moisture-dependent ecosystems found at the head of the Aare valley.

Area

0.053 km²

Established

2004

IUCN

IV

Relief

Mountain

Chessibidmer Nature Reserve: Glacial Granite and Protected Alpine Moorland Landscapes

Protected alpine bog and granite terrace in the Bernese Oberland

Chessibidmer offers a detailed look at a nationally significant flat bog and moorland landscape situated above the upper Aare valley in the Bernese Oberland. The area provides an exceptional map of glacial geomorphology, featuring granite domes, rock-bound tarns, and successional peatlands that sit as a protected mosaic within the surrounding high-alpine terrain of the Swiss Alps.

Area

0.5 km²

Established

1998

IUCN

IV

Relief

Mountain

Rhonegletschervorfeld Protected Area: Alpine Glacier Geography and Mapping

Proglacial landscape and glacial history in the Swiss Alps.

The Rhonegletschervorfeld provides an unparalleled view into the geomorphology of the Swiss Alps, showcasing a continuous record of ice loss through moraines, exposed bedrock, and emerging meltwater systems. Situated near the Furka Pass, this protected area serves as an essential reference for glaciology, offering a clear visual timeline of glacier retreat that has shaped modern alpine tourism and climate science. Explore the mapped terrain where the Rhone River headwaters emerge from the retreating ice.

Area

13.58 km²

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Alpine

Access

Easy access

Diemtigtal: Protected Alpine Landscape in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Mapped valley geography and mountain terrain context

Explore the structured geography of Diemtigtal, a regional nature park in the Bernese Oberland. This valley landscape is defined by its enclosed U-shaped topography, the Niesenkette skyline, and a network of traditional settlements nested between mountain ridges and alpine streams. Gain insight into the protected boundaries and the distinctive terrain of this Swiss Alpine region.

Established

2009

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Alpine

Scope

Terrestrial