Ecosphere News | Environment & Sustainable Tourism
In the southern canton of Ticino, where Switzerland’s alpine identity softens into a Mediterranean landscape, the Brissago Islands are drawing renewed attention as a rare ecological and botanical treasure. Floating on the Swiss side of Lago Maggiore, the islands host the country’s only island-based botanical garden - home to more than 2,000 plant species from across the globe.
Often described as “Switzerland, but Mediterranean,” the Brissago Islands reflect a unique microclimate shaped by southern exposure, lake effects, and relatively mild winters. This allows subtropical and exotic species - including palms, lotus flowers, camellias, eucalyptus, and even giant sequoias - to flourish far north of their typical habitats.
A Living Laboratory of Biodiversity
The larger of the two islands, Isola Grande (San Pancrazio), is open to visitors and functions as a curated botanical park. Plants are arranged geographically, representing flora from regions such as South Africa, South America, Asia, Australia, and the Mediterranean Basin. The collection offers not only aesthetic value but also educational and scientific importance.
Botanists and environmental educators regard the islands as a living laboratory - demonstrating plant adaptation, climate sensitivity, and the possibilities of conservation in controlled ecosystems. In the context of accelerating climate change, such microclimates provide important insights into species resilience and shifting vegetation zones across Europe.
Conservation and Sustainable Tourism
Managed under the authority of the Canton of Ticino, the islands balance tourism with ecological preservation. Visitor access is regulated through boat transport, and infrastructure development remains limited to protect fragile plant habitats and lake ecosystems.
The surrounding waters of Lago Maggiore are also ecologically significant, supporting aquatic biodiversity and serving as a transboundary freshwater resource shared between Switzerland and Italy. Maintaining water quality and sustainable tourism practices remains central to protecting the broader ecosystem.
Climate Reflections
The thriving subtropical vegetation on the Brissago Islands is both a product of natural microclimatic conditions and a reminder of broader environmental shifts. Scientists note that while Ticino’s relatively warm climate is longstanding, ongoing global warming trends are influencing plant distribution patterns across the Alpine region.
As Europe faces increasing heatwaves and biodiversity stress, botanical sites like the Brissago Islands offer a space for public engagement, environmental education, and dialogue on climate adaptation.
A Symbol of Ecological Harmony
Beyond tourism appeal, the Brissago Islands represent a carefully maintained balance between human stewardship and natural diversity. Their existence underscores the importance of conserving ecological niches - even in highly developed countries - and investing in green spaces that combine science, culture, and sustainability.
For Switzerland, often associated with snow-capped peaks and glaciers, this Mediterranean garden on a lake reveals another dimension of its environmental identity - one rooted in biodiversity, cross-border ecology, and climate awareness.
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