Permafrost and Ground Ice Map of Switzerland

Save the layer file (.lyr) together with the other files (Shapefiles) in a common folder and load the layer file in a GIS or geoviewer application to see the map.

If your GIS-Application does not support .lyr files you can define the visualization of the map by yourself using the field “indicator” in the shapefiles attribute table. This field contain the numbers -3; -2; -1; 0; 1; 5 and 9 which have the following meaning:

-3 = permafrost < -3°C

-2 = permafrost -2 to -3°C

-1 = permafrost < -1 to -2°C

0 = permafrost < 0 to -1°C

1 = Ground temperatures 0 to +1°C (possible patchy permafrost)

5 = potential ice-rich permafrost

9= glacier

The PGIM and legends can also be accessed online at www.slf.ch\pgim

The shapefile contain a countrywide permafrost distribution map of Switzerland, indicating ground temperatures and ice content. A new representation of ground temperatures is achieved by distinguishing ice-poor and ice-rich permafrost in the modelling process. There is a very strong correlation of ground temperatures with elevation and potential incoming solar radiation in ice-poor and ice-free ground. The distribution of ice-rich permafrost was defined by modelling mass wasting processes and the integration of snow and ice into the ground caused by them. This approach yields a relatively accurate and largely unambiguous map. Permafrost occurrence is represented by two clearly defined classes: Zone 1 representing modelled ground temperatures and zone 2 indicating excess ground ice outside of zone 1. 58% of 92 validation sites could be definitively classified as having permafrost or no permafrost. If only ice-poor or –free ground is considered, this value reaches 90%.