Isenthal, Switzerland

Traveling south along the 8th meridian, you leave Germany and enter Switzerland. A gondola deposits you high up on the Bywaldalp overlooking Isenthal, Switzerland. You put on your summer jacket in response to the cold air from the nearby glacier. Water drips from the icy mass that clings to rugged rock. Seasonal glacial runoff feeds into Lake Lucerne which was itself formed by the gouging and melting of ancient Ice Age glaciers. Modern seasonal glacial melt forms streams that provide fresh water for Alpine forest and meadow ecosystems and for humans in Alpine villages like Isenthal.

Descending along a narrow rocky path, you hike into a valley of green forests and grassy meadows. The summer melt from the glacier swells the stream you follow into Isenthal. In reality, you probably would not undertake such a trek, but this Klimahaus station provides a sense of the rugged topography and cool, windy conditions that make life in the Alps challenging.

Located at 8º 33' E/46º 55'N, with a population of 503 residents, Isenthal is a rural, community dependent on forestry, farming, and tourism for income. At an elevation of 2,530 feet, the climate of Isenthal is classified as highland (Alpine).

Cowbells clang from the necks of Brown Swiss dairy cattle grazing on the unique meadow grasses and herbs that give Swiss cheeses their distinctive flavors. In the distance, the sound of mudslides caused by water running from under melting glaciers echoes across the plateau. Families like the Infangers depend on predictable seasonal variations in precipitation and temperature to raise dairy cattle and make cheese.

Isenthal has no industrial smokestacks and few sources of transportation emissions. Could there be an unexpected source of anthropogenic (humn caused) greenhouse gas emissions grazing on the Alpine slopes - Swiss Brown cows? The answer is yes and no. Yes, cows are a source of methane, but no, the small herds of Swiss Brown cows are not the cause of warmer temperatures in the Alps.

The herds of Brown Swiss cows are relatively small. The cows are grassfed. The alpine grases and herbs consumed by the cows flavor the milk giving Swiss cheese its distinctive taste. Cow manure dropped during grazing enriches the meadow soils encouraging plant growth. Plants hold soil in place which helps prevent erosion by wind and water. Decomposition processes in soil serve as a source of carbon dioxide, but left undisturbed soil is a sink for carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide will remain in the soil until the soil is tilled (turned over). Reduced till or no till crop farming reduces the carbon dioxide release from crop farming.

Methane, a gas with high global warming potential, is the natural byproduct of a cow’s digestive processes. Cow burps contain methane. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, one-third of anthropogenic methane emissions are from ruminants like sheep and cattle. The levels of methane from cow burps and manure are greatest at large scale feedlots. It would seem that the cause of climate change in Isenthal is not the local Swiss brown cows, but rather human activity elsewhere in the world.

In Germany, “Donnerstag ist Veggietag,” (Thursday is veggie day) started in 2010. Meatless Monday is another trend toward reducing consumption of beef and other animal prodcuts. What is being done in your community, school, or family?

Rising temperatures are threatening the traditional way of life in Isenthal and other Alpine villages. Glaciers in the Alps are retreating at a record pace. Could turning on a light bulb in Bremerhaven or eating a hamburger in your hometown be affecting the climate in the Swiss Alps?

• Look for clues to answer the question.

• Examine the photo to identify factors that influence the climate of Isenthal.

• Use Google Earth to develop a sense of place.

• Analyze the data and the climograph to observe patterns in rainfall and temperature.

• Use the dig deeper resources to gather information to understand the processes behind climate change.