Indicator forest and wood

Structural diversity of the forest

Structurally diverse, multi-layered and suitably dense stands are ecologically valuable and ensure better stability against wind and snow pressure.

Assessment of the state
good good
Assessment of the trend
positive positive
low 2009/17 (NFI4): 13.2 medium 2009/17 (NFI4): 43.3 high 2009/17 (NFI4): 43.4 low 2004/06 (NFI3): 16 medium 2004/06 (NFI3): 45.1 high 2004/06 (NFI3): 38.9 low 1993/95 (NFI2): 25.5 medium 1993/95 (NFI2): 45.8 high 1993/95 (NFI2): 28.8
Forest development: described in terms of forest area based on the structural diversity of the stand, indicator synthesis according to the NFI for the forest area in Switzerland as a whole. Evaluation unit: accessible forest without brushwood NFI2/NFI3/NFI4.

Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL): Swiss National Forestry Inventory (NFI)
No data 2009/17 (NFI4): 1.8 Rotting structure 2009/17 (NFI4): 1.4 Graduated 2009/17 (NFI4): 13.4 Multi-layer 2009/17 (NFI4): 50.3 Single-layer 2009/17 (NFI4): 33.2 No data 2004/06 (NFI3): 2.6 Rotting structure 2004/06 (NFI3): 2.1 Graduated 2004/06 (NFI3): 16.7 Multi-layer 2004/06 (NFI3): 39.1 Single-layer 2004/06 (NFI3): 39.6 No data 1993/95 (NFI2): 1.2 Rotting structure 1993/95 (NFI2): 2.3 Graduated 1993/95 (NFI2): 6 Multi-layer 1993/95 (NFI2): 54.1 Single-layer 1993/95 (NFI2): 36.5 No data 1983/85 (NFI1): 4.9 Rotting structure 1983/85 (NFI1): 3.9 Graduated 1983/85 (NFI1): 10.7 Multi-layer 1983/85 (NFI1): 44 Single-layer 1983/85 (NFI1): 36.4
Criteria for characterising the vertical development of forest stands. Survey period: based on the NFI period with variation in the terrestrial network. Percentage of the total forest area. Evaluation unit: accessible forest without brushwood according to the NFI survey period with variation in the 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

The structural diversity of forests increased during the assessed period. One of the goals of the Forest Policy 2020 is that forests should be richly structured.

Method

Structural diversity data are provided by aerial images, the continuous sample survey carried out in forests and subsequent modelling.

 
Last updated on: 19.06.2023

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