No sticking to the mean: Why we research extremes

This swiss magazine is dedicated to a specific topic: scientific research on extreme events and environments. Its structure is divided in different articles related to extreme events.

1. Thinking the unthinkable (p.4): extreme events are rare, but have potentially serious consequences for humans. But what exactly does 'extreme' mean?
2. Living with the threat (p.10): Devastating landslides also occur in Switzerland. Thanks to research, monitoring and warning systems, people today are better protected. But there is still a residual risk.
3. Some like it extreme (p.14): Fast, durable or tough: various strategies help plants to colonise even inhospitable habitats.
4. Drought (p.18): It has not for a long time been so dry in Switzerland as it was in 2018 - with consequences for the forest.
5. Forest (p.22)
6. Biodiversity (p.25)
7. Landscape (p.28)
8. Natural Hazards (p.30)
9. Snow and Ice (p.32)

This magazine also contains a series of portraits describing the experience of swiss scientific researchers who work on extreme events. One of them, Koni Steffen, former director of WSL, died in August 2020 in an accident while doing research in Greenland. This magazine was dedicated to him by his team in memory of their late director.