Fauna

As a rule, the higher (elevation) the habitat, the less populated the area. The composition of species sharing the habitat also changes as well as the density decreases. From the montane and pine forests surrounding the tree line up to the alpine altitudinal zone, the variety of bird species decreases from about 35 to 10.

Animals are not only faced with the challenges of rough climatic conditions, but sudden environmental changes also have their effects. Landslides, rock slides or small flooding can change the habitat in short periods of time. Human influences, like the grazing of animals, also change the vegetation and the local habitats (e.g. the lowering the natural tree line by about 200m).

Characteristic (and partially protected) animal species:

• Water bear (Hypsibius klebesbergii)
• Wolf spider (Pardosa cincta)
• Swedish ant (Formica suecica)
• Matterhorn cunea butterfly (Orodemnias cervinii)
• Alpine salamander (Triturus alpestris)
• Spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga c. caryocatactes)
• Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
• Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus)
• Eagle owl (Bubo bubo)
• Marmot (Marmota marmota)
• Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)