The Lac de Champex, perched at an altitude of 1466m between the Val Ferret and the Val d'Arpette, was created by the moraine dam of the ancient Arpette glacier. It is bordered on its western side by a valuable marshland area. The various plant groups that make up this area show all the stages of evolution that characterise the landfall of a body of water: from low marshes (sedge meadows with open water) on the edge of the lake to high marshes (peat bogs) in the more remote areas.

FLORA

The peat bog is characterised by the presence of sphagnum mosses (water-logged mosses that accumulate to form peat) and is home to many rare plants such as the small-fruited cranberry and the round-leaved sundew or drosera (carnivorous plant).The Champex peat bog is the only one in the Valais to be home to a local species of hooked pine.

An inventory carried out in 2012 by the Alpine Botanical Garden – Fondation Aubert revealed the presence of around twenty exotic species, at least 8 of which have a proven (Black/Watch List) or probable invasive potential. Most of these are found along the pipeline route.Some do not pose any major problems, but are not indigenous. These include giant hogweed (which can cause serious burns), pitcher plant (a carnivorous plant), lupine and blue grama grass.

FAUNA

It is also home to a whole host of small, specialised and rare fauna, such as the bloody cricket, the arctic cordula and the azure aeschne (two dragonflies).