Hydrology of the Bernese fens

Wyss Academy
Jul 24, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Feb 17

HUB BERN | Project LANAT-5

Our goal:

Development and application of a hydrological knowledge base for the long-term conservation and rehabilitation of fens.

Intact fens, such as that pictured here on Engstligenalp, are important water reservoirs. They are central to protection of biodiversity and the climate. Photo: Hintermann & Weber — Intact fens, such as that pictured here on Engstligenalp, are important water reservoirs. They are central to protection of biodiversity and the climate. **Photo:** Hintermann & Weber

In a nutshell:

Fen habitats are ecosystems with highly specialized animal and plant species and have traditionally been used as pastures or meadows. Intact fens store large amounts of carbon and water.

In Switzerland, fens have shrunk to just a few small residual areas. They now comprise only 0.6% of the country’s area. The Federal Constitution mandates strict protection of the remaining fens. Yet they continue to be threatened, and many are increasingly drying out because of disruptions in their natural water supply. New roads, ditches, and drainage interrupt the seepage water that fens need to survive.

Maintenance of an undisturbed water balance is a key criterion for the long-term protection of fens. As part of this project, researchers created a digital map showing the so-called hydrological precautionary perimeter of Bernese fens, helping cantonal and municipal authorities to ensure the water balance of the estimated 6,300 hectares of remaining fens in the Canton of Bern.

The hydrological precautionary perimeter of the fens provides a tool for leading authorities and specialist agencies to use in the process of issuing building permits. The digital map indicates which areas near protected fens may be important for the water balance.

The map is available on the geoportal of the Canton of Bern and the corresponding data are publicly accessible. Indication of the perimeter is complemented by a set of instructions for permitting authorities as well as a series of information sheets showing what measures can be taken to minimize the impact of construction projects on fens. These documents and additional information may be found on the website of the Canton of Bern.

Hydrological precautionary perimeter with buffer zones: The yellow area indicates the fen, the blue areas indicate sensitive buffer zones up to 100 m, 200 m, and more from the fen. Map detail from the geoportal of the Canton of Bern https://www.topo.apps.be.ch/pub/map/?share=af195a7b-6337-4aa5-9de7-e8be005dac5b, last accessed: 22 January 2025) — Hydrological precautionary perimeter with buffer zones: The yellow area indicates the fen, the blue areas indicate sensitive buffer zones up to 100 m, 200 m, and more from the fen. Map detail from the geoportal of the Canton of Bern https://www.topo.apps.be.ch/pub/map/?share=af195a7b-6337-4aa5-9de7-e8be005dac5b, **last accessed:** 22 January 2025)

More information:

Moorhydrologischer Hinweisperimeter (Information about the hydrological precautionary perimeter on the website of the Canton of Bern; available in German and French)

Kartenanwendung moorhydrologischer Hinweisperimeter (Geoportal Canton of Bern; available in German and French)

Moore (Information about peatlands on the website of the Canton of Bern; available in German and French)