ALPMON FINAL REPORT - ARC systems research

Contract ENV4-CT96-0359 ALPMON
2.3.5 National Park Management, Swiss National Park, Engadine (WSL)
2.3.5.1 Introduction and Objectives
The Swiss National Park (SNP), first established in 1914, is the largest protected area and the only
national park of Switzerland. It is located in the high-alpine region of the Engadine and covers an area
of nearly 170 km2 . According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the SNP
is classified as a "wilderness area" (category 1). It is especially known for its abundance of alpine
fauna, such as red deer, ibex, chamois, groundhogs, and bearded vultures. Also, its characteristic
landscape forms and rich alpine flora make it a tourist attraction of approximately 150'000 people a
year.
Besides the ecological and touristic aspects, the SNP serves as a field laboratory for diverse nature
scientists. The park enables research to be pursued unhindered over a prolonged period of time in an
area, that previously had been influenced by man. A huge amount of scientific research has been
achieved over the last 80 years, adding to a lot of documentation of this area. A number of long-term
monitoring programs have been set up, especially in the field of vegetation monitoring: development of
vascular plants has been studied since 1917 (Braun-Blanquet 1931, Stüssi 1970, Krüsi et al. 1995,
Schütz et al. 1998), the growth and succession of lichen since 1923 (Frey 1959), vegetation
development in lavinars since 1939 (Lüdi 1954, Riederer 1996) and in fenced areas without the
influence of mountain ungulates since 1987 (Camenish and Schütz in prep.), development of moss
communities since the 50ties (Geissler 1993), reforestation on burnt areas since 1951 (Hartmann und
Geissler in prep.), etc. In non-vegetation areas, studies of geomorphological forms such as rock
glaciers (Barsch 1996, Graf et al. 1995) and processes (solifluction) have been under study.
In summary, a lot of detailed spot data has been collected for different areas in the park, but no areawide
data coverage is available for any specific characteristic, since researchers are allowed to leave
paths only in specified areas for which they have a permit. Thus, there is a lack of actual and proved
information concerning the spatial pattern of various objects and processes for the entire park. For this
purpose, the feasibility of remote sensing techniques has been tested. There is a need to obtain a
complete inventory, especially of the most inaccessible and remote corners of the park. Also in respect
to the planned park extension, information on the use and type of landscape outside of the park
boundaries is of vital interest.
The Swiss National Park is in need of a spatially comprehensive inventory of grassland, forest stand
characteristics (tree species composition, stand type, stand density, natural age class) and nonvegetation
areas. In the latter respect, the extension and spatial distribution of soil erosion, especially
of debris flows, rockslides, lavinars and active rock glaciers greatly influence the vegetation succession
and the accessibility of the park in general. This basic data is needed for various applications, which
can be used as a planning instrument for national park management.
2.3.5.2 User Requirements
Table 8 lists the applications of interest and the types of data required by the SNP management (WP1
Customer Requirements).
JR, RSDE, ALU, LMU, Seibersdorf, WSL 53