The Cryospheric Commission (CC) monitoring networks was founded in 1893 as the glacier commission and is integrated within the Swiss Academy of Science (SCNAT) more precise within the Platform Geosciences. In relation to the changes caused by the incipient climate change it is the Commission’s task to observe the changes of the alpine cryosphere*. Furthermore it is in charge of the supervision of all long-term national cryospheric monitoring networks. The commission works in close cooperation with the Swiss Snow, Ice and Permafrost Society (SIP).
Snow and ice embody fundamental environmental factors for the human being (climate, water supply, natural hazards, education and economy etc.). This is why the process of observing the alpine cryosphere is an important component within the overall monitoring of climate-related changes. Thanks to a resolution – which was requested by the Department of Home Affairs- of the Swiss Federal Council in 2008 it has been possible to safeguard the funding of long-term measurement series. Switzerland’s significant position in global climate observation is strengthened by this sustainable long-term funding back-up for various measuring series (especially of glaciers and permafrost). The funding is assured by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), MeteoSchweiz, the Federal Office for the Environment and the Swiss Academy of Sciences as well as the participating Universities and institutes for scientific research.
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Rhone glacier (VS)
The CC defines concepts and strategies for the national cryospheric-observation-programs and stipulates the necessary regulations. A national integral cryospheric-observation-network which covers snow, glaciers and permafrost is aspired in the medium-term. The Commission assures the integration of all expertise available in Switzerland, the newest concepts and the coordination with international programs.
The CC is an Expert Commission of the SCNAT (Swiss Academy of Sciences) according to Art. 13 para.1 e of the Statutes. It is composed of approved experts in monitoring of snow, glaciers and permafrost and related scientific branches. The group comprises employees of different Universities, institutes for scientific research and Federal Offices.
Cryosphere denotes all landscapes on Earth in which water occurs in form of ice or snow. This comprises sea ice, snow, glacier ice and permafrost. The CC’s exploration and observation of the cryosphere covers mainly the regions with snow, ice and permafrost in the Swiss Alps. The geo-physical, climatic and ecological functions of the cryosphere is observed as well as the role in the hydrological balance and its reaction towards climate change of all scales from seasonal to long-term. The variables of the alpine cryosphere are sensitive indicators of the climatic change. The changes of glaciers are easily perceptible factors in nature even for laypeople. Likewise it is permafrost that reacts very delicately to temperature changes. The melting of frozen ground in high mountain ranges causes instabilities which then again have an impact on mountain railways, hiking trails, streets and mountain villages. The snow coverage not only plays an important role as a climatic and environmental factor which has crucial influence on glaciers and permafrost. At the same time the snow coverage is a vital aspect for several economic and industrial sectors. In Switzerland there have been ongoing measurements of snow and glaciers since the end of the 19th century. The resulting long measurement series allow statements on the effects of climate change on alpine regions.
