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SuisseClimate change and skiing threaten rock ptarmigan
The white partridge sees its habitat shrinking. It also risks being invaded by snow activities. The Swiss Ornithological Station of Sempach is sounding the alarm.
The democratization of ski touring disturbs the rock ptarmigan and can have serious consequences on its survival.
photo © Martin Meier/Station de Sempach
Switzerland has an international responsibility for the conservation of the rock ptarmigan since it is home to 40% of the numbers of this snow partridge in the Alps. However, this is increasingly threatened, notes, Monday, the Swiss Ornithological Station of Sempach.
Indeed, climate change is reducing its habitat. With mild temperatures, the forest line rises. For once, its workforce is declining. And the pressures linked to tourism further aggravate the situation since, due to ever milder winters, it is now a question of abandoning winter tourism in the middle mountains to develop infrastructures in the high mountains, at the expense of the protection of nature, underlines the Ornithological Station
maintain its habitat
However, for the ptarmigan to be able to survive in Switzerland, the varied habitats that still exist must be preserved at all costs and the future habitats for skiing and ski touring must be preserved. “To occupy these rare spaces for the development of snow sports at high altitude would be dramatic, not to mention the disturbances linked to the human presence in summer and winter”, warns the Ornithological Station.
According to the latter, the white partridge is quite simply in danger of becoming extinct in the Alps. Since the mid-1990s, the ptarmigan population has already declined by regarding a third. Although no further declines have been seen in recent years, the long-term prospects for this iconic bird are poor.
(cht)