 |
The aim of Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network is to
effect long term observations of glacier variations in the Swiss Alps. The
service is coordinated by the Cryospheric Commission of the Swiss Academy
of Sciences (EKK/SCNAT) and maintained by the Laboratory
of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology at ETH Zürich (VAW/ETHZ) and the
Universities of Fribourg and Zurich. The project receives long-term funding
from the Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU), GCOS Schweiz Office at
MeteSwiss and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT).
Methods
The measurements of length fluctuation carried out
annually on all larger glaciers and on many of the smaller ones give an
excellent overview of the variations of the Swiss Glaciers. The mass
balance, volume changes and surface movements are determined on selected
glaciers (Aletsch, Allalin, Clariden, Basòdino, Corbassière, Giétro, Gries,
Hohlaub, Schwarzberg/Seewjinen, Silvretta, Unteraar) using more complicated
methods.
Glaciers are traditionally of great scientific and
economic interest in Switzerland. Glacier variations are the best indicator
of climate fluctuations and glaciers as fresh water reservoirs have an
important economic role (drinking water, production of hydroelectric power)
as well as for the determination of flooding potential. In addition, the
importance of the state of the glaciers for tourism should not be
underestimated.
The data series is over one hundred years old,
thanks to the ongoing efforts of cantonal forest services, federal offices,
research institutes, hydropower companies, universities and individuals. The
results are not only used for research purposes (improvement of process
understanding, climate indicator analyses, validation of models) but also
serve to estimate the direct and indirect effects of glacier variations on
the environment. The results are regularly published
in various forms (media releases, 'Die Alpen’, Glaciological Report).
| |
