#IMC: September 14 - 18 2025

Flora Raetica – Citizen Science project capturing changes in plant distributions in Graubünden

Assigned Session: FS 3.214: Global change and shifts in native and non-native species distributions in mountain ecosystems

Abstract ID: 3.13097 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Poster | TBA | TBA

Sonja Wipf (1,2,3)
Ingrid, Jansen (2,3,4); Christian, Rixen (2,3,5); Thomas, Wohlgemuth (3,6)

(1) Luzula Biodiversität Wissen GmbH, Hofweg 2, 7278 Davos Monstein, Switzerland
(2) WSL Institut for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Fluelastrasse 11, 7260 Davos Dorf, Switzerland
(3) Flora Raetica Consortium, c/o Botanikzirkel Graubünden, 7000 Chur, Switzerland
(4) InfoFlora, Altenbergrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
(5) CERC Climate Change, Extremes and Natural Hazards in Alpine Regions Research Centre, Fluelastrasse 11, 7260 Davos Dorf, Switzerland
(6) Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Zurcherstr. 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland

Categories: Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems, Education, Fieldwork
Keywords: plant distribution change, plant community change, Graubünden Grisons, Citizen Science, Flora Raetica

Categories: Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems, Education, Fieldwork
Keywords: plant distribution change, plant community change, Graubünden Grisons, Citizen Science, Flora Raetica

Abstract
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The world-famous botanists Josias Braun-Blanquet and Eduard Rübel meticulously described the flora of the easternmost region of Switzerland in their 1695-pages strong “Flora of Graubünden” (1932-1935). Since, the distribution and occurrence of many plant species and habitats have changed under the influence of changes in land-use and climate.
Therefore, starting in 2021, a consortium consisting of local botanists has founded a large citizen science project to jointly and voluntarily work towards a new “Flora Raetica”. We strive to complete our new Flora Raetica in 2032, exactly one century after Braun-Blanquet and Rübel’s «Flora of Graubünden». With this project, we want to
• describe, how flora and habitats have changed over the past century
• set a new scientific standard for comparisons both into the past and the future
• deliver improved data coverage for nature conservation
• inform the public about the value and fascination of the local flora and biodiversity
• motivate lay people and professionals alike to engage within joint field work and information events.
Here, we share some challenges and highlights of the project. We give an overview about the state of the project and its preliminary results on elevation shifts of plant distributions.

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