Editing Swiss Alps (section)

==Environment and climate==
To protect endangered species some sites have been brought under protection. The [[Swiss National Park]] in Graubünden was established in 1914 as the first alpine national park. The [[Entlebuch Biosphere|Entlebuch]] area was designated a biosphere reserve in 2001. The largest protected area in the country is the [[Parc Ela]], opened in 2006, which covers an area of 600 square kilometres.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.swissworld.org/en/environment/biodiversity/nature_parks/ |title=Nature parks swissworld.org |access-date=2018-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604070817/http://www.swissworld.org/en/environment/biodiversity/nature_parks |archive-date=2009-06-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Jungfrau-Aletsch Protected Area]] is the first World Heritage Site in the Alps.

===Climate zones===
{{See also|Climate of the Alps}}

As the [[Lapse rate|temperature decreases]] with altitude (0.56&nbsp;°C per 100 meters on yearly average), three different altitudinal zones, each having distinct climate, are found in the Swiss Alps:

*'''Subalpine zone'''
[[File:Val Trupchun.jpg|thumb|right|Tree line in the national park]]
[[File:Liskamm, Zermatt.jpg|thumb|right|[[Liskamm]] (4,527 m), above the [[Grenzgletscher|Gorner Glacier]]]]
The [[Subalpine zone]] is the region that lies below the [[tree line]]. It is the most important region as it is the largest of the three and contains almost all human settlements as well as the productive areas. The forests are mainly composed of [[conifer]]s above 1,200–1,400 meters, the [[deciduous]] tree forest is confined to lower elevations. The upper limit of the Subalpine zone is located at about 1,800 meters on the north side of the Alps and about 2,000 meters on the south side. It can, however, differ in some regions such as the Appenzell Alps (1,600 meters) or the Engadin valley (2,300 meters).

*'''Alpine zone'''
The [[Alpine tundra|Alpine zone]] is situated above the tree line and is clear of trees due to low average temperatures. It contains mostly grass and small plants along with mountain flowers. Below the [[permafrost]] limit (at about 2,600 meters), the [[alpine meadow]]s are often used as pastures. Some villages can still be found on the lowest altitudes such as [[Riederalp]] (1,940 m) or [[Juf]] (2,130 m). The extent of the Alpine zone is limited by the first permanent snow, its altitude greatly varies depending on the location (and orientation), it comprises between 2,800 and 3,200 meters.

*'''Glacial zone'''
The glacial zone is the area of permanent snow and ice. When the steepness of the slope is not too high it results in an accumulation and compaction of snow, which transforms into ice. The glacier-formed then flows down the valley and can reach as far down as 1,500 meters (the [[Upper Grindelwald Glacier]]). Where the slopes are too steep, the snow accumulates to form overhanging [[serac]]s, which periodically fall off due to the downward movement of the glacier and cause ice avalanches. The Bernese Alps, Pennine Alps, and Mont Blanc Massif contain most of the glaciated areas in the Alps. Except for research stations such as the [[Sphinx Observatory]], no settlements are to be found in those regions.
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===Impact of glacial melting===
Due to the change in weather patterns, the summers are expected to continue getting warmer and drier, while the winters are expected to become moister. This change in the weather increases the chances of flooding with heavier rainfall, the melting of [[permafrost]] zones, a change in the geography and wildlife, and the occurrence of more deadly rock slides. Furthermore, natural hazards are occurring more frequently, such as floods, avalanches, and landslides. Additionally, the water supply that the glaciers originally provided is on the decline, which is problematic for producing energy, agricultural practices, and other human use. Finally, the glacial melting puts the economy at risk because there will be less incoming financial revenue from the tourism and recreation services that these glaciers and ecosystems typically provide. All of these impacts will disrupt the nearby communities and require that updated infrastructure and safety measures be put into place to prevent mass destruction. 
<ref>Negative Impacts of Glacial Melting((lcluc.umd.edu/hotspot/glacial-retreat-alps))</ref>
<ref>Negative Impacts of Glacial Melting((www.myswissalps.com/aboutswitzerland/nature/environment/globalwarming))</ref>