Besuchermonitoring Aletschwald : Schlussbericht

A decline in visitor numbers to the Aletschwald, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Swiss Alps, has been observed since previous studies, yet the distribution of visitors across days and seasons remains consistent. The study, conducted by Pro Natura, revealed that while overall visits dropped to around 30,000 annually, peak usage occurs between 11 AM and 3 PM during warmer, sunnier weather, particularly at hotspots like the Brandschneise trail and Grünsee area. Despite strict protection measures—such as designated rest areas with a 41% open ground (trample damage) compared to 10% in restricted zones—vegetation regeneration shows mixed results, with sensitive moss layers recovering by 21% in forbidden areas but worsening in high-traffic zones like the Rastplatz. Visitors, predominantly ecologically aware and rule-compliant, report optimal experiences when group sizes remain small (under seven people). The findings underscore the need for adaptive management strategies, including social capacity indicators and physical barriers like boardwalks, to balance tourism with ecological preservation while ensuring future monitoring aligns with measurable thresholds of acceptable change.

Hochreutener, Adrian, Blank, Jonathan, & Rupf, Reto. (2020). Besuchermonitoring Aletschwald : Schlussbericht. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule Für Angewandte Wissenschaften. https://doi.org/10.21256/ZHAW-23227