Feeding BDM data into computational models, scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL predict Switzerland’s species diversity. The results of their calculations are visualized on color-coded maps of the country.

Based on the Z7 indicator “Species Diversity in Landscapes”, WSL experts Michael Nobis, Thomas Wohlgemuth and Felix Kienast fed BDM data into computational models which enable them to predict species numbers either for all of Switzerland or for individual regions.

As illustrated by the modeled maps, birds, butterflies and plants do not all prefer the same kind of environment. Areas featuring particularly high butterfly diversity are almost exclusively located in the Alps, especially on the south-facing slopes of the Wallis (see map 1).

While plant diversity also focuses on the alpine region, areas rich in plant species — unlike areas rich in butterfly species — extend into lower altitudes as well, mainly in the Jura (see map 2).

Breeding birds differ from both butterflies and plants in that their species diversity increases as the altitude decreases (see map 3).

According to the modeled maps, habitats offering ideal conditions to butterflies, birds, and vascular plants alike are rare in Switzerland. Representing true diversity hotspots for the three species groups, such sites are mainly found on south-facing slopes of alpine valleys, above all in the Wallis (see map 4).

Map 1: Butterfly diversity in Switzerland.
The map depicts butterfly species diversity predicted by the computational model. Areas featuring high numbers of butterfly species are almost exclusively restricted to the Alps, with the Wallis standing out by above-average butterfly diversity.

Map 2: Vascular plant diversity in Switzerland.
The map depicts vascular plant species diversity predicted by the computational model. The Alps and the Jura are particularly rich in species.

Map 3: Breeding bird diversity in Switzerland.
The map depicts breeding bird species diversity predicted by the computational model. Breeding bird diversity decreases as altitude increases.

Map 4: Diversity hotspots in Switzerland.
The modeled map depicts expected hotspots combining high species diversity of vascular plants, butterflies and breeding birds. Such hotspots tend to be rare, as the three species groups make different demands on their habitats. Based on the computational models, diversity hotspots are most likely to be found in the Wallis.

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December 2007