July 29, 2025|
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|4 months agoSwiss Study: Climate Change Forces Marmots to Higher Altitudes
Research in GraubĂźnden's Dischma Valley reveals marmots now live 86 meters higher than 40 years ago, highlighting climate change impacts on Alpine wildlife.
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Generated IllustrationKey Takeaways
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- Marmots in the Dischma Valley now live on average 86 meters higher than they did 40 years ago.
- The absolute upper altitude limit for marmots has remained static at 2,700 meters above sea level.
- Marmots suffer from heat stress at temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius.
- The Dischma Valley currently averages only six days per year with temperatures exceeding 25 degrees.
- Marmot habitat is shrinking due to the rising treeline encroaching from below while the upper limit remains fixed.
By The Numbers
86 meters
Average increase in altitude habitation
2,700 meters
Maximum habitation altitude
25°C
Heat stress threshold
1982
Baseline study year
They Said
"Other factors probably play a more important role than the warmer temperatures."
"But we still only have an average of six days per year with more than 25 degrees in the Dischma Valley, which is too few for negative effects."
1
The Alpine Ascent: Wildlife on the Move
2
Hitting the Ceiling: The 2,700-Meter Barrier
3
The Heat Trap: Physiology vs. Temperature
4