Indicator forest and wood

Deadwood

Deadwood refers to dead trees or tree parts that are standing or lying. Deadwood is a very important component of the forest ecosystem because it promotes biodiversity. In addition, deadwood can protect against rockfalls or serve as a seed bed for tree seed.

Assessment of the state
medium medium
Assessment of the trend
positive positive
Ø Switzerland 2009/17 (NFI4): 24.8 Ø Switzerland 2004/06 (NFI3): 21.5 Ø Switzerland 1993/95 (NFI2): 10.9 Ø Switzerland 1983/85 (NFI1): 5 Southern Alps 2009/17 (NFI4): 23.1 Southern Alps 2004/06 (NFI3): 18.1 Southern Alps 1993/95 (NFI2): 11.7 Southern Alps 1983/85 (NFI1): 4.2 Alps 2009/17 (NFI4): 31.2 Alps 2004/06 (NFI3): 26 Alps 1993/95 (NFI2): 16.9 Alps 1983/85 (NFI1): 7.5 Pre-Alps 2009/17 (NFI4): 32 Pre-Alps 2004/06 (NFI3): 31.9 Pre-Alps 1993/95 (NFI2): 11.7 Pre-Alps 1983/85 (NFI1): 5.7 Central Plateau 2009/17 (NFI4): 15.4 Central Plateau 2004/06 (NFI3): 14.8 Central Plateau 1993/95 (NFI2): 4.5 Central Plateau 1983/85 (NFI1): 2.3 Jura 2009/17 (NFI4): 17 Jura 2004/06 (NFI3): 12 Jura 1993/95 (NFI2): 6.1 Jura 1983/85 (NFI1): 3.9
Deadwood volume in m3/ha (including both standing and lying). Deadwood according to the NFI: lying and standing dead trees and bushes. Evaluation unit: accessible forest without brushwood according to the NFI period with variation in the terrestrial network. In the NFI1, only dead trees with valuable wood were included. In addition, lying green trees are included in the NFI1 for deadwood.

Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL): Swiss National Forestry Inventory (NFI)
lying Switzerland: 12.7 standing Switzerland: 12.1 lying Southern Alps: 11.7 standing Southern Alps: 11.4 lying Alps: 17.4 standing Alps: 13.8 lying Pre-Alps: 15.5 standing Pre-Alps: 16.5 lying Central Plateau: 6.7 standing Central Plateau: 8.7 lying Jura: 8.3 standing Jura: 8.7
Standing and lying deadwood volume in the producing regions in m3/ha. Deadwood according to the NFI: lying and standing dead trees. Evaluation unit: accessible forest without brushwood. Survey period: NFI4b (2009/13). Network: NFI4 terrestrial network.

Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL): Swiss National Forestry Inventory (NFI)
  • Database
Comment

Overall, deadwood has increased in Swiss forests. However, this positive trend is not quite enough to reach the target values of the forest policy in all regions. Deadwood deficits still exist particularly in the Central Plateau and the Jura.

International comparison

For international comparisons, the corresponding threshold values for forest surveys must be taken into consideration. Based on the data from the State of Europe’s Forests, Switzerland is one of the countries that is rich in deadwood (volume per hectare of forest).

Method

The data on deadwood are provided by aerial images, the continuous sample survey carried out in forests and subsequent modelling.

Basis for assessment of the trend
Targeted trend Initial value Final value Variation in % Observed trend Assessment
Growth 1983/85 (LFI1) 2009/17 (LFI4) 396.00% Growth positive
Basis: Ø Switzerland
 
Last updated on: 19.06.2023

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