Alpine Rivers Symposium

The Alps, Europe’s water towers, contain an estimated 40% of the continent’s freshwater. The thousands of streams, brooks and rivers that originate in the Alps have formed the basis of a traditional cultural landscape and unique biodiversity for centuries. This beautiful mountain range and its water sources are also crucial for the well-being and livelihoods of those who live on their slopes. For instance, over 1000 hydroelectric power stations in the Alpine region provide electricity for millions of people and, next to tourism, are the basis for trade, agriculture and industry. However, the Alps and their watercourses are changing rapidly. Predictions indicate that within the next few decades, around 90% of the Alpine glaciers will melt entirely. This absence of snow and meltwater will have significant implications for both the natural environment and human activities. Visible ecological changes will occur as flora and fauna respond to these shifts, accompanied by disruptions in traditional cultural landscapes and heritage. These changes will impact water availability and various sectors of the economy, especially tourism, electricity production, and agriculture. The effects of such events are already evident in regions like the Italian Po basin and on European inland navigation routes such as the Rhine, Rhone, and Danube Against this background, the first Alpine River Symposium focuses on the Alpine landscape in a broader sense and aims to answer the following questions: What does a healthy Alpine river actually look like? How will Alpine rivers change in the coming years, and what is the best way to deal with these changes? Which developments can we actively influence, proactively avert, and to which must we learn to adapt?