Current research projects

Landscapes are far more than just the backdrop to our everyday lives – they shape our identity, influence our well-being and are closely linked to our memories and emotions. How we perceive and experience our surroundings has a direct influence on our sense of belonging and our quality of life. A Switzerland-wide study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) shows that Val Müstair is rated extremely favourably by its inhabitants compared to similar regions in Switzerland.

Val Müstair is not exactly known for its wealth of minerals, and yet Edy Romani from the Mineral Museum in Bormio has made numerous impressive finds over the last few years. These are less impressive for their size than for their particular beauty. In a new publication by Edy Romani and Fabrizio Berra, these finds are presented and described in high-resolution photographs. The book is available for CHF 38 from the monastery shop in Müstair and from the guest information centre in Tschierv.

Since 2000, white-coloured stones have been found in the bed of the Aua da Prasüra stream in Val Costainas above Sta. Maria. This phenomenon has already been observed in some high-altitude mountain streams in the Eastern Alps. The colour comes from flakes of aluminium sulphate deposited on the stones. The formation of the flakes is due to the production of sulphuric acid in permafrost areas. Therefore, there is a possibility that the water quality of the affected mountain streams will deteriorate in the future due to climate warming. The investigation of the Aua da Prasüra in the Val Costainas and additional laboratory experiments should help to better assess future developments.