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Green Lizard Trail · On the trail of biodiversity

The green lizard is the largest and, with its bright green colouring, also the most attractive lizard species in Switzerland, where it is only found in the climatically warmer regions. The ideal habitat consists of a dense herb layer, cairns, dry stone walls and woods or vineyards - a mixture like the one found here. Because the green lizard needs such richly structured habitats, it accompanies us on this circular walk as an ambassador for biodiversity.

Biodiversity encompasses more than just the diversity of species and is divided into four different levels:

  • The diversity of ecosystems (habitats such as forests, mountains, bodies of water)
  • The diversity of species (animals, plants, microorganisms)
  • The diversity of genes (genetic variability of breeds or varieties)
  • The diversity of ecological interactions and functions (e.g. pollination)

Biodiversity is essential for our survival. Biodiversity provides us humans with indispensable ecosystem services: These include, for example, the pollination of crops, the maintenance of soil fertility and natural pest control, but also the purification of air and water from pollutants. In addition, there is the recreational value of a diverse nature as well as aesthetic-emotional values. Get informed and inspired about the different issues of natural diversity on the Emerald Lizard Trail. Along the circular trail you will discover eight posts with different themes on local biodiversity.

Interesting information
  • Experts estimate that there are about 15 million existing species, with about 1.8 million species currently known.
  • 20,000 different bee species worldwide contribute to the pollination of our crops, 80% of which are completely dependent on animal pollinators.
  • 118 of the 150 most important medicines are based on natural active substances.
  • A forsythia provides food for three species of insects, whereas up to 160 species of insects find food on a hawthorn.
  • Within 0.3 cubic metres (1x1 metre and 30 cm deep) live 1.6 billion living organisms

Stone walls

1 A WALL AS A RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY

Dry stone walls are an important cultural heritage and provide a habitat for numerous animals and plants. For example, wall lizards and green lizards like to retreat into the crack...

2 IN CONSTANT CHANGE

The melting of the glaciers at the end of the last ice age around 9,000 years ago caused huge landslides. The irregular distribution of the earth and rock masses that slipped forme...

3 OPPOSITES CREATE DIVERSITY: THE NORTH-FACING SLOPE

Because the Valais runs as an east-west valley, extremely contrasting habitat conditions form: The shady north-facing slope of the Rhone Valley offers a completely different habita...

4 THE GREEN NETWORK

In Switzerland, the green lizard is only found in the Valais, Ticino and around Lake Geneva. It prefers to establish its territory in habitats with a dense herb layer interspersed ...

5 OOP-OOP-OOP - A WAKE-UP CALL FOR NATURE

Habitat loss and the deterioration of habitat quality, for example due to intensive agriculture or climate change, are the main causes of the budding biodiversity crisis. It is som...

TERRACED LANDSCAPE SALGESCHTERRACED LANDSCAPE SALGESCH

TERRACED LANDSCAPE SALGESCH

6 DIVERSE TERRACED LANDSCAPE AND VARIETIES

The genetic variability both between and within species allows nature to respond to changing environmental conditions and adapt accordingly. Often, only those species that can adap...

7 OPPOSITES CREATE DIVERSITY: THE SOUTH-FACING SLOPE

Due to the east-west course of the main Valais valley, the sunny south-facing slope of the Rhone Valley differs from the shadier north-facing slope. Here we see the beautiful Valai...

8 TOGETHER: MAN AND NATURE

In agriculture in particular, it often seems difficult to reconcile the interests of humans with the needs of nature. However, we can discover that this is possible in these vineya...

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR BIODIVERSITY?

Each and every individual can make a contribution in everyday life to counteract the impending loss of biodiversity. They are often small actions, but in sum they have a big impact...