A survey of genetic diversity among native Swiss living organisms

Biodiversity researcher Lea Bauer at work in a peat bog. (Photograph: ETH Zurich / Martin C. Fischer) Switzerland is monitoring its biological diversity as part of a global effort to understand its changes and prevent further biodiversity loss. Researchers from ETH Zurich are working on a pioneering pilot study that includes the analysis of genetic diversity of native species. The world is not only suffering from a climate crisis but also from a biodiversity crisis. Many researchers are already talking about a mass extinction of species. One of the many causes is global warming, which is rapidly changing environmental conditions. This has prompted many countries to launch programmes aimed at monitoring and protecting biodiversity.