The Biosphere Reserve is situated in the easternmost part of Switzerland on the right side of the Inn River, close to the Italian border. Ranging from 1,400 to 3,173 meters above sea level, the area (17,030 hectares) comprises forests, alpine grasslands and bare rocks or screes.
Description
Map
Surface : 37,065 ha
- Core area(s): 17,200 ha
- Buffer zone(s): 9,574 ha
- Transition zone(s): 10,291 ha
Location: 10°15’52 E; 46°39’01 N
Administrative Authorities
Regionalverband Lungau/Biosphärenpark-Komitee
Flurin Filli
Chastè Planta-Wildenberg, CH - 7530 Zernez
Switzerland
Tel.: +43 (0) 6472 7740
Email: info@lungau.org
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Ecological Characteristics
Ranging from 1,400 to 3,173 meters above sea level, the area (17,030 hectares) comprises forests, alpine grasslands and bare rocks or screes. The Engadine valley, in the biosphere reserve’s northern edge, is the only one in Switzerland to drain into the Danube and several plants usually found further east have probably spread via this valley.
Socio-Economic Characteristics
The whole area is strictly protected and not inhabited. About 150,000 people annually visit the biosphere reserve (2002). Hiking is restricted on marked trails (80 km) during the summer season (June–October). Each year, around 50 researchers from Switzerland and abroad carry out scientific studies in the area. A research committee is responsible for the coordination of the various projects.
The Biosphere Reserve is located in one of the last areas where romanche is spoken.
Back to Biosphere Reserves in Switzerland
Back to Biosphere Reserves in Europe & North America
Back to World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Last updated: December 2018