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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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PARC SUISSE |
 © Photo: Hans Lozza |
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| General Description |
Parc Suisse Biosphere Reserve (named Swiss National Park) is situated in the easternmost part of Switzerland on the right side of the Inn River, close to the Italian border. Ranging from 1,400 to 3,173 meters above sea level, the area (17,030 hectares) comprises forests, alpine grasslands and bare rocks or screes. The Engadine valley, in the biosphere reserve’s northern edge, is the only one in Switzerland to drain into the Danube and several plants usually found further east have probably spread via this valley. The whole area is strictly protected and not inhabited. About 150,000 people annually visit the biosphere reserve (2002). Hiking is restricted on marked trails (80 km) during the summer season (June–October). Each year, around 50 researchers from Switzerland and abroad carry out scientific studies in the area. A research committee is responsible for the coordination of the various projects. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Mixed mountain and highland systems | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Dwarf mountain pine (Pinus montana) forest; forests characterized by Scots pine (P. sylvestris), arolla pine (P. cembra), larch (Larix decidua) and Norway spruce (Picea abies); alpine grassland; bare rock or scree; communities above the treeline with anemone (Pulsatilla vernalis) and edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) | |||
| Location | 46°35' to 46°45'N; 10°00' to 10°20'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 17,030 | |||
| Core area(s) | 17030 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | ||||
| Transition area(s) when given | ||||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +1,500 to +3,174 | |||
| Year designated | 1979 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Eidgenössische Nationalparkkommission (Federal Commission for the National Park) | |||
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| Brief description |
Meteorology Hydrology Botany Ungulates Ants Ecology of forest and alpine systems |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Hydrology, meteorology. | |||
| Biodiversity | Ecology, flora, forest systems, invertebrates/insects/spiders, mammals, mountain and highland systems. | |||
| Socio-economic | n.a. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | n.a. | |||
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| Contact address |
Heinrich Haller Chasa dal Parc CH-7530 Zernez Switzerland |
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| Telephone | (41.81) 856 12 82 | |||
| Fax | (41.81) 856 17 40 | |||
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heinrich.haller@nationalpark.ch |
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| Web site | www.nationalpark.ch | |||
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| Last updated: 04/03/2010 |
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