Recorded Historical Earthquake Activity Near the Rhonegletschervorfeld Protected Landscape

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

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

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

Landschaftspark Binntal: Alpine Geography and Regional Protected Area in Valais, Switzerland

Mapping deep mountain valleys and glacial alpine terrain

Landschaftspark Binntal serves as a vital protected area in the Valais Alps, showcasing a vertical sequence of ecosystems from river gorges to 3000 meter peaks. The park preserves a living cultural landscape alongside significant mineralogical heritage, offering a detailed view into the high-altitude geography and remote valleys that define this distinctive corner of the Swiss mountain landscape.

Area

180 km²

Established

2008

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Alpine

Aletschwald Nature Reserve: Geographic Insights and Protected Alpine Landscape Context

An ancient high-elevation forest ecosystem in the Swiss Valais.

Situated between 1,600 and 2,200 meters, Aletschwald represents one of the few remaining managed-free subalpine forests in the Alps. The reserve maps the interaction between glacial retreat and forest advancement, featuring a dense mosaic of Arolla pines, larch, and pioneer mosses across diverse lateral moraine formations.

Area

4 km²

Established

1933

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Alpine

Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve: Mapped Protected Landscapes in the Canton of Lucerne

Exploring karst formations and alpine wetland ecosystems

Entlebuch stands as a pioneering example of community-driven conservation in the Swiss Alps. This protected landscape encompasses extensive peatlands, forested slopes, and the iconic Schrattenfluh karst massif. Use this geographic entry to understand the regional topography and the spatial distribution of protected habitats throughout this central Swiss valley.

Area

397 km²

Established

2001

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Alpine

Auenschutzgebiet Maggia: Protected Floodplain Geography and Alpine River Dynamics

Nature reserve located within the Canton Ticino, Switzerland

Investigate the natural topography of Auenschutzgebiet Maggia, a protected floodplain system spanning thirteen kilometers through the Lepontine Alps. This reserve provides a detailed look at how alpine hydrology maintains a diverse mosaic of gravel islands, wet meadows, and riparian forests in a high-energy mountainous environment.

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