Burnt orchid - Orchis ustulata
(Franjo Schmitt)
Franjo Schmitt
Heath spotted orchid - Dactylorhiza maculata
(R.Amiet)
R. Amiet
The Alps have the most varieties of flowers anywhere in Europe, but many species are under threat because of competition for space and water as well as from overuse of the land.
The large number of alpine flower species owes much to the delicate relationship between nature and careful farming practices over the years. Mountain farmers ensured for centuries that the alpine regions were used carefully tended, keeping uninhibited tree and bush growth at bay and leaving room for many plant, butterfly and bird species. Over the past few years though, the meadows have come under pressure from farming, the wood industry and tourism.
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Biodiversity pressures strain idyllic Alp
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Located at the edge of the Bernese Oberland, about 1,800 metres above sea level, the Engstlenalp is famous for its challenging hiking and spectacular views. Herds of cows, goats, and sheep have been kept here by Alpine farmers since time immemorial, and without them the flower-filled meadows would disappear. But when herds become too large…
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“Today, there is a road leading to almost every Alp,” laments Social Democrat parliamentarian Beat Jans. “This is especially true in dairy cow pasture areas, but it’s often also the case in Alpine regions where beef cattle graze. And more and more they are not just small gravel paths, but larger paved roads.” According to…
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Martin Nil had an eye for flowers. A village pastor in the Bernese Oberland between 1912 and 1949, he was also a keen photographer. He went high and low to capture photographs of alpine flora and the mountainous landscape, and then meticulously coloured the images by hand. His grandson looks back at some of his…
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.