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VALUrsern – The ecological and socio-economic consequences of land transformation in al-pine regions: an interdisciplinary assessment and valuation of current changes in the Ursern Valley, key region in the Swiss central Alps (SNF-PhD project)

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Forschungsbericht – Detailinformation zum Projekt
project title
VALUrsern – The ecological and socio-economic consequences of land transformation in al-pine regions: an interdisciplinary assessment and valuation of current changes in the Ursern Valley, key region in the Swiss central Alps (SNF-PhD project)

abstract
Ongoing transitions in land use, climatic change, air pollution and socio-economic processes (urbanisation, tourism) are affecting ecosystem goods and services of montane and alpine areas (provision of clean water, food and timber, flood prevention, soil conservation, hydro-power) with vital effects for the forelands (settlements, transport routes and water supply). Reduced farming activities have led to massive shrub encroachment and forest expansion into formerly open habitats, particularly at higher elevations. Species-rich communities and di-verse landscapes in alpine regions will decline with current trends in land use. In the bounds of this project, the status and current change of vegetation cover and plant diversity, soil char-acteristics, erosion potential, and their combined effects on the water balance and soil integ-rity will be assessed within the Ursern Valley in the Central Swiss Alps. Obtained results will be evaluated in an ecological, economic and historical context, integrating different spatial (plot to catchment) and time scales (season to decades). Scenarios and projections for the next 50 years will take into account most likely trends in agriculture, tourism, and climate. By at-tributing monetary value to the ?bio-geo-hydroscience? data, we will assess the economic im-plications associated with these changes in relation to other facets of the region?s economy.

project team
Prof. Dr. (PL), Dr., Prof. Dr., Dr.

partner
University of Basel

project duration
04.2009 – 03.2012
state:ongoing

university unit
Geographisches Institut

research area
Natural Sciences, Geography

index terms
Ursern Valley, land use change

last update: 01.06.2010

Projekt-Kontakt
E-Mail

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