VegCHange – Plant Diversity in Transition

Project description

Objective

Biodiversity in Switzerland, as across the world, has declined sharply due to human activity. Yet we still lack a clear picture of which aspects of biodiversity have changed, where and when the shifts occurred, and which drivers are most responsible. VegCHange mobilises and integrates large datasets on Swiss flora and vegetation, and analyses them comprehensively for the first time with modern statistical methods.

The project examines how biodiversity patterns have shifted across space and time, which species and habitats have gained or declined over the past century, and what these patterns reveal about the forces driving biodiversity loss. It also investigates how this knowledge can guide conservation and restoration prioritizations, and how the factors that sustain biodiversity can be embedded more effectively in policy and practice. Working closely with stakeholders in the pilot canton of Grisons, the project ensures that research questions are relevant to practitioners and that results are delivered in formats they can readily apply.

Relevance

VegCHange provides information on plant biodiversity change and its drivers in Switzerland with unprecedented detail across regions, time periods and species groups. This evidence will allow conservation and restoration measures to be designed and implemented more effectively, ensuring that efforts are targeted and resources used efficiently. By delivering robust data and actionable insights, the project strengthens Switzerland’s capacity to protect and restore its biodiversity in the long term.

Transdisciplinary Approach

VegCHange builds strong partnerships with stakeholders and the wider public through a participatory process that ensures results are meaningful and applicable. Data are compiled and validated collaboratively, while research questions are refined in dialogue with practitioners and societal goals are integrated from the outset. Outreach tools and platforms are co-designed so that insights and key messages are communicated effectively to conservation practitioners, policymakers and the public.

The project also develops a transferable toolbox for similar studies and prepares lasting resources, including the Swiss National Vegetation Database and an interactive Plant Diversity and Vegetation Information Platform for Switzerland. With a particular focus on the canton of Grisons, which reflects much of Switzerland’s ecological and social diversity, VegCHange designs and implements a regional strategy in close cooperation with an advisory board. Regular meetings with this board ensure that the project addresses real-world needs and that its outcomes can be applied directly in practice.