Forest Resource  

Overview
Switzerland is a land-locked country in central Europe, partly mountainous with a central plateau of rolling hills. Forest and other wooded land accounts for nearly a third of the land area. Nine tenths of the forest is classed as available for wood supply, the remainder being not available for economic reasons. However, all forests are expected to serve multiple functions, notably protection from avalanches in mountainous areas. Virtually all forest is semi-natural, with only small areas of forest undisturbed by man and of plantations. Coniferous species make up seven tenths of the growing stock volume, with Norway spruce the most important, other species including silver fir, European larch and pines. Beech is the main broadleaved species, others including oak and sweet chestnut. Net increment, which in per hectare terms is well above the European average, exceeds fellings, leading to a steady rise in growing stock and ageing of forest stands. More than two thirds of the forests is publicly owned, mostly by communities and municipalities, most of the rest by private individuals. Apart from soil protection and wood production, hunting and nature conservation are important forest functions.

Ecological Zones

Forest Industry

Forest Map