And Swiss glaciers continue to melt

ETH Zurich

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The Claridenfirn (GL) was completely free of snow in September 2025.

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Credit: Matthias Huss / VAW / ETH Zurich

Even the United Nations International Year of Glaciers' Preservation has seen further massive melting of glaciers in Switzerland. A winter with little snow was followed by heat waves in June 2025 that saw glaciers nearing the record levels of losses of 2022. Snow reserves from the winter were already depleted in the first half of July, and the ice masses began to melt earlier than had rarely ever been recorded. The cool weather in July provided some relief and prevented an even worse outcome. Nevertheless, almost a further three per cent of the ice volume was lost across Switzerland this year, and this is the fourth greatest shrinkage after the years 2022, 2023 and 2003. 2025 therefore importantly contributed to the decade with the most rapid ice loss. Glaciers all over Switzerland have lost a quarter of their volume since 2015. Over 1,000 small glaciers have already disappeared.

In particular, glaciers from the winter disappeared there up to the summit level. As a consequence, the ice thickness on, for example, the Claridenfirn (Canton of Glarus), the Plaine Morte Glacier (Canton of Bern) and the Silvretta Glacier (Canton of the Grisons) reduced by over two metres. For glaciers in the southern Canton of Valais, such as the Allalin Glacier or Findel Glacier, the loss was less at around one metre.

Too little snow in winter

In the winter of 2024/2025, the combination of less precipitation and the third warmest six months of winter (October to March) since measurements began led to very low snow depths. For example, less fresh snow fell in parts of the northern and central Grisons than ever before. For this reason, around 13 per cent less snow was evident on the glaciers at the end of April when compared to the period from 2010 to 2020. The second warmest June since records began led to rapid melting of
snow right up to the highest altitudes. Following a somewhat cool and damp July, August brought a heatwave with a high zero-degree line recorded in part at over 5,000 metres. In combination, this weather led to above-average temperatures in the summer. Between July and September, a few cold fronts resulted to individual days with fresh snow over 2,500 m above sea level, but this only remained for longer periods in high mountains.

"The continuous diminishing of glaciers also contributes to the destabilising of mountains," says Matthias Huss, Director of GLAMOS. "This can lead to events such as in the Lötschental valley where an avalanche of rock and ice buried the village of Blatten."

 

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The Swiss Commission for Cryosphere observation (SCC) of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) documents changes in the Alpine cryosphere. It coordinates the long-term Swiss monitoring networks created for snow, glaciers (GLAMOS) and permafrost (PERMOS). The Swiss Commission for Cryosphere observation (SCC) therefore represents those institutions that look after national monitoring networks, such as the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, the Swiss Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSchweiz), the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), the Universities of Zurich, Fribourg and Lausanne and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), or who contribute financially to long-term safeguarding, such as the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the Swiss Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss), in the context of the Swiss Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) and the Swiss Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo).

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Further information

SCNAT – network of knowledge for the benefit of society The Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) and its network of 35 000 experts works at regional,
national and international level for the future of science and society. It strengthens the awareness for the sciences as a central pillar of cultural and economic development. The breadth of its support makes it a representative partner for politics. The SCNAT links the sciences, provides expertise, promotes the dialogue between science and society, identifies and evaluates scientific developments and lays the foundation for the next generation of natural scientists. It is part of the
association of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences.

ETH Zurich -  The programme Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland (GLAMOS) aims to conduct a long-term study of glacier changes in the Swiss Alps. The service is maintained by ETH Zurich - the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, and involves the Department of Geosciences of the University of Fribourg, as well as the Department of Geography of the University of Zurich. The monitoring is coordinated by the Cryospheric Commission of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (CC/SCNAT) and receives financial support from the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, MeteoSwiss within the framework of GCOS Switzerland, and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT). Additional support is provided by the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo.

 

On the Glacier de la Plaine Morte (BE), the effect of the Faverges glacial lake has created an amphitheatre of ice.

Credit

Matthias Huss / VAW / ETH Zurich

Retreat of the Gries Glacier, Canton Valais in Switzerland between 1919 and 2025.

Credit

swisstopo / VAW / ETH Zurich

Drilling of a stake to determine the mass balance on the Glatscher da Medel, Canton Graubünden in Switzerland.

Credit

Leo Hösli / VAW / ETH Zurich

The lake in front of the Rhone Glacier, Canton Valais in Switzerland is expanding rapidly due to glacial retreat.

Credit

Matthias Huss / VAW / ETH Zurich

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Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Glaciology Report: And Swiss glaciers continue to melt

Article Publication Date

1-Oct-2025

 

DNA evidence closes gaps in global conservation databases for Amazon wildlife

Trilogy of new studies bolster global biodiversity conservation efforts

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

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Los Amigos lab in Amazonian forest

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Credit: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

PHOTOS: https://sandiegozoo.box.com/s/h8ne3q1md09rpor6ewp7070qvzv9k7nh

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 1, 2025) – Recent studies led by an international consortium of researchers, including scientists from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the Museo de Historia Natural de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, unveiled groundbreaking findings in biodiversity conservation through in situ DNA barcoding in the Peruvian Amazon. 

Measuring the earth’s biological richness in one of its most remote and biodiverse regions is no small task. The Peruvian Amazon is in imminent danger of losing species to wildfires and habitat destruction before they are ever identified. 

Three recent studies—two published and the third published in the Nature journal Scientific Data today, Oct. 1, 2025—highlight the severe lack of genetic data for the region’s species, with 44% of birds and 45% of mammals native to Peru absent from major global databases GenBank and the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) and Figshare. The numbers drop further for genetic data generated directly from Peruvian samples–from 44% to 4.3% for birds. These significant data gaps limit conservationists’ ability to monitor species diversity and implement effective conservation strategies in a region with unparalleled biodiversity. 

The final paper in the trilogy aims to fill the barcoding gaps identified by generating novel genetic sequences from biobanks and capture-recapture sampling. 

“Documenting biodiversity is the first step in understanding how ecological communities form and function, which is essential for developing effective conservation strategies that are crucial for sustaining an ecological balance and supporting the livelihoods that depend on these environments,” said lead author Pamela Sánchez Vendizú.

With such large gaps in genetic reference databases, traditional survey methods like environmental DNA cannot effectively assess the region's biodiversity. In response, the team created three in situ laboratories using portable nanopore sequencing technologies to document and sequence Amazonian wildlife.

“As species disappear, biologists are increasingly called on to take on the role of historians,” said Mrinalini Erkenswick Watsa, Ph.D., scientist with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Traditional DNA barcoding pipelines in Peru have relied on collaborations with foreign sequencing partners or services, but our in situ system allows for biodiversity documentation without the export of a single sample. By filling gaps in global genetic libraries, we empower conservationists to generate their own data and make informed decisions to combat species extinction. These technologies equip local scientists with the tools to independently protect their ecosystems.”

From 2018-2023, researchers generated new genetic barcodes for 1,858 specimens, including the first genetic barcodes for 30 mammal and 196 bird species. This increased the representation of Peruvian species in BOLD by up to 110% for mammals and 36.5% for birds. 

The project’s success stemmed from using portable, long-read sequencing technologies, which enabled real-time, rapid data acquisition and analysis. The novel approach harnessed Peruvian scientists and conservationists' pivotal role in the stewardship of their natural heritage and is vital for responding quickly to conservation emergencies, such as sudden spikes in illegal wildlife trade.

These studies offer a roadmap to saving some of the world's most beloved ecosystems before it's too late. The fate of many species may well depend on this crucial shift in how genetic barcodes are collected, who is trained in data acquisition and where the data is processed.

"This initiative enhances the capabilities of Peruvian scientific institutions to manage and utilize their biodiversity resources effectively, setting a precedent for resource-limited and biodiversity-rich countries worldwide," said César Arana, Ph.D., lead natural historian of the San Marcos Natural History Museum. 

The implications of this research extend well beyond the Amazon, offering a model for conservation efforts across the globe and underscoring the vital importance of in situ genetic research in managing and preserving biodiversity worldwide. 

Partnering institutions in this collaborative project include the Amazon Conservation Association, Conservación Amazónica-ACCA, Field Projects International, the Inkaterra Association, Natural de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, and University of Oulu.

For additional insights into this project, watch Field Projects International’s video (https://vimeo.com/1028994943?share=copy) and visit the In Situ Laboratory Initiative’s website at https://insitulabs.org/.

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About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance 
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships and groundbreaking efforts at the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, both leading zoological institutions and accredited botanical gardens. Through wildlife care expertise, cutting-edge science and continued collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. The Alliance reaches over 1 billion people annually through its two conservation parks and media channels in 170 countries, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television, available in children’s hospitals across 14 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible.

Link includes: 

• Photos and video of the Los Amigos Laboratory, researchers and wildlife in the Amazonian forest

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Journal

Scientific Data

DOI

10.1038/s41597-025-05697-z 

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Decoding the Peruvian Amazon with in situ DNA barcoding of vertebrate and plant taxa

Article Publication Date

1-Oct-2025

 

When Washington tried to starve industries of loans—and failed

When federal regulators pressured banks to withdraw from controversial industries most companies simply borrowed elsewhere, a new study finds

University of Rochester

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In 2013, the US Department of Justice quietly launched a program called Operation Choke Point. Its aim was to pressure some banks into cutting ties with businesses that, while legal, were deemed risky from a social or reputational standpoint. Included in the operation were payday lenders, firearm and ammunition dealers, tobacco vendors, online gambling sites, and even escort services.

The strategy was simple: If targeted banks refused to lend to these controversial companies, their access to capital would dry up, eventually squeezing them out of the marketplace. The idea was a form of financial suffocation, achieved not through new laws or regulations but by warning banks that doing business with the controversial clients could invite heightened government scrutiny, investigations, or other unspecified sanctions.

Now, more than a decade later, a team of economists from the University of Rochester, University of Michigan, University of Maryland, and the Federal Reserve Board examined the results of Operation Choke Point. Their conclusion, published in the Journal of Financial Economics, is clear—the choking didn’t really work.

“We found a decline among targeted banks and firms. But overall it didn’t work because the operation singled out only a subset of banks,” says Billy Xu, an assistant professor of finance at the University’s Simon Business School, who is a coauthor of the study. “What we got, essentially, was a decline in committed loans only among the targeted banks, but the targeted firms were able to establish new relationships with non-targeted banks.”

That is, the targeted banks complied and tightened their lending to these so-called risky companies, while most of the businesses just walked next door and found other non-targeted lenders.

Firms adapt, banks relent

Operation Choke Point created a real-world laboratory to test whether restricting credit can discipline industries that regulators or society don’t like or approve of.

“If you are trying to stop the water but you turn the taps off in one place only—it’s likely not enough. You’ll have to turn them off everywhere else, too, which can be costly or infeasible.”

Using confidential data from the Federal Reserve, covering more than 5,600 affected firms, the researchers found that the targeted banks singled out by the Justice Department did indeed reduce lending. Small and medium-sized businesses in controversial industries saw about a 10 percent drop in their credit lines. Borrowing became harder as loan maturities shortened, collateral lending requirements increased, and some banking relationships were abruptly terminated.

Yet, large businesses barely flinched as their credit lines stayed intact. In some cases, they even secured more lending to hedge against future government actions. The team surmises that’s because large companies usually have more sway with lenders—their own or new ones.

The critical finding: Affected firms simply switched banks. Companies, many of them thoroughly profitable enterprises, that lost credit at targeted banks opened accounts with non-targeted banks instead.

“As one bank gives up business,” Xu notes, “another bank steps in and takes advantage of that.”

Overall, the researchers found no meaningful reduction in the borrowing ability of controversial firms, nor did their investment, profitability, or business performance change.

Bottom line: While Operation Choke Point succeeded at pressuring some banks, it failed to choke the industries themselves.

The limits of financial pressure 

Why didn’t it work? One explanation could be that the operation targeted only a subset of large banks—and not the entire financial system.

Xu likens it to a row of running faucets: “If you are trying to stop the water but you turn the taps off in one place only—it’s likely not enough. You’ll have to turn them off everywhere else, too, which can be costly or infeasible.”

Moreover, the policy relied on informal coercion rather than formal legislation. In the end, the operation was terminated in 2017 after congressional criticism and lawsuits accused regulators of intimidation and overreach.

“Targeted credit rationing is largely ineffective at imposing costs on firms in controversial industries,” the team writes.

Operation Choke Point was a test case of how financial pressure might police morality. The results show the limits of that strategy as credit can be redirected, and firms are resilient in finding new sources of funding. For policymakers, investors, and activists who hope that cutting off financing will reshape industries, the message may be sobering—starving companies of money is much harder than it sounds.

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Journal

Journal of Financial Economics

DOI

10.1016/j.jfineco.2025.104133 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Defunding controversial industries: Can targeted credit rationing choke firms?