The European Alps
Location of the European Alps
The Alps – one of the last remaining areas with truly wild places in central Europe – are remote. They are breathtaking. They are beautiful. They are one of the last strongholds of nature.
Forming a massive arc from Nice to Vienna, the Alps are also one of the largest and highest mountain ranges in the world. Dynamic natural processes continuously reshape the landscape and are the driving force for biological diversity.
But even the mightiest alpine peaks are not safe from the effects of urbanisation and climate change.
Mountain wilderness
Towering over Europe, the Alps represent one of the continent's last wild spaces.
Despite centuries of human settlement and activity, pristine wilderness can still be found throughout the region.
Oak, beach, ash and maple forests continue to dominate large areas. Wild flowers blanket many alpine meadows.
Red deer, ibex, chamoix, marmots and other species can be found climbing high up in the mountains. And large carnivores – wolf, bear and lynx – are slowly returning after almost being totally wiped out from hunting.
Oak, beach, ash and maple forests continue to dominate large areas. Wild flowers blanket many alpine meadows.
Red deer, ibex, chamoix, marmots and other species can be found climbing high up in the mountains. And large carnivores – wolf, bear and lynx – are slowly returning after almost being totally wiped out from hunting.
Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) portrait, Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria, July 2008
Fragile Environment
The Alps face a number of major threats – from pollution and habitat loss to mass tourism and the impacts of climate change.
WWF works for the protection of the Alps at the national level, through its national offices, and at the international level, through the European Alpine Programme.
WWF is also a strong supporter of the EU's Convention on the Protection of the Alps, which aims to preserve the Alps' natural environment through conservation and sustainable development.
WWF is also a strong supporter of the EU's Convention on the Protection of the Alps, which aims to preserve the Alps' natural environment through conservation and sustainable development.
Mountain pine in May Bayerischer Wald National Park Germany
