Research along the way: The Biologists' Round Table

The path leads past numerous scientific research areas, because science is not limited to laboratories. On the contrary, outdoor work is an essential part of environmental research. Around Davos, scientists from the SLF operate numerous facilities and experimental sites. Some are new, some are almost a hundred years old. Together they provide important insights into snow and avalanches, forests and meadows, biodiversity and climate change.

As the tour does not end at the starting point, we recommend taking the bus to Teufi. Lines 312 and 313 depart from Davos Dorf station in summer.

We cross the bridge at Teufi, keep to the right for a short while and then follow the signs to the left uphill towards Jakobshorn. After about 250 metres of altitude, we reach the Stillbergalp, which is not managed and is co-leased by the SLF. Researchers can work, eat and, if necessary, stay overnight in the rooms. The mountain station of the institute's own cable car, an open Niederberger Schiffli, is also located on the alp.

We stay on the path towards Jakobshorn. After a few minutes, we see the Stillberg test site on the right. In 1975, researchers afforested around five hectares of forest there in order to investigate which species are best suited for a protection forest. After a hairpin bend, the trail continues directly to the Jakobshorn. A look down shows the mountain station of the cable car and the helicopter landing platform for transporting heavy material. In the forest, at the forest line and above it, the SLF is also investigating how Bäume spread there and how the forest line shifts.

A few hundred metres further on, we see chambers made of Plexiglas on the meadow, opened upwards down the slope. With the help of these chambers, scientists are creating warmer microclimates at certain points and are thus investigating how the plant world in the Alps could change in times of climate change.

We continue to Jakobshorn, where we reach the highest point of the route. From there we hike downhill through the skiing area of the same name towards Clavadeler Alp, past the Schaukäserei and the valley station of the Clavadeler Bubble chairlift. A little later we reach a T-junction where we turn left. After a good 500 metres, a small gravel path branches off sharply to the left. Follow this until the forest ends. A few metres up the slope, researchers from the SLF are investigating the interplay between plants and their enemies and what consequences this has for biodiversity. Blue and yellow markings divide the site into individual plots.

Take the same path back to the valley station of the Clavadel Bubble. After a few metres, we take the left path at the fork. Depending on your mood, we follow the signs to Davos Platz or hike leisurely to Ischalp to take the cable car down to the valley.

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