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2018/26

2009/17

2004/06

1983/85

Altitude above sea level in classes of 200 m. Reference: Digital height model DHM 25 from Swisstopo

Altitudinal vegetation belts in the system used in the guidelines for monitoring the sustainability and performance of protection forests (NaiS; Frehner et al. 2005) – in ten classes, whereby the classes «hyperinsubric», «colline» and «colline with beech» and «lower and upper montane» only occur in the Southern Alps (S), the classes «submontane», «lower montane», «upper montane» only in the Northern Alps (N) and the classes «high montane», «subalpine» and «upper subalpine» on both sides of the Alps. The information is based on the altitudinal vegetation belts determined by experts (accessible forest sample plots of NFI4 on the 1.4-km network; Arge Frehner et al. 2020), as well as on the altitudinal vegetation belts modelled for the period 1981-2010 (other sample plots; Zischg et al. 2021).

Altitudinal vegetation belts in the system used in the guidelines for monitoring the sustainability and performance of protection forests (NaiS; Frehner et al. 2005), reduced to six classes. The variable represents a simplification of the NaiS altitudinal vegetation belts with ten classes (NAISHSTKOMB) in which the classes «hyperinsubric» and «colline» are merged with «colline with beech» to form the class «hyperinsubric and colline» and the class «lower montane» with «upper montane» and «lower/upper montane» to form the class «lower and upper montane». The information is based on the altitudinal vegetation belts determined by experts (accessible forest sample plots of NFI4 on the 1.4-km network; Arge Frehner et al. 2020), as well as on the altitudinal vegetation belts modelled for the period 1981-2010 (other sample plots; Zischg et al. 2021).

Type of trees and shrubs ≥12 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) in two classes (conifers or broadleaves). Reference: Field Survey (MID 50: Baumart)

Diameter at breast height (dbh) of trees and shrubs ≥12 cm dbh - in classes of 4 cm. Reference: Field Survey (MID 60: Brusthöhendurchmesser, MID 62: Umfang)

Diameter at breast height (dbh) of trees and shrubs ≥12 cm dbh, classified in main diameter classes. Reference: Field Survey (MID 60: Brusthöhendurchmesser, MID 62: Umfang)

Diameter at breast height (dbh) of the trees and shrubs ≥12 cm dbh – in ten classes. Reference: Field Survey (MID 60: Brusthöhendurchmesser, MID 62: Umfang)

Classification of forests into 12 classes («types») according to their development, structure and management. Unlike in the 17-class forest-type classification, in this 12-class classification all development stages (from young growth to timber) are subsumed in the class «uniform high forest». Reference: Field Survey (MID 255: Nutzungskategorie, MID 257: Waldtyp nach Aufnahmeanleitung LFI, MID 260: Waldform, MID 267: Bestandesstruktur, MID 261: Entwicklungsstufe)

Classification of forests according to their establishment, structure and management into 17 classes («types»). In contrast to the forest typology with 12 classes, the forest typology with 17 classes defines each development stage (young growth to timber) as an individual class. Reference: Field Survey (MID 255: Nutzungskategorie, MID 257: Waldtyp nach Aufnahmeanleitung LFI, MID 260: Waldform, MID 267: Bestandesstruktur, MID 261: Entwicklungsstufe)

Classification of trees and shrubs ≥12 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) into two classes according to their dbh: «not giant» (dbh ≤80 cm) or «giant» (dbh >80 cm). Reference: Field Survey (MID 60: Brusthöhendurchmesser, MID 62: Umfang)

Areas in higher and lower altitude zones classified according to the system used for altitudinal vegetation belts in the guidelines for monitoring the sustainability and performance of protection forests (NaiS; Frehner et al. 2005). The boundary between the higher and lower altitudes runs between the «upper montane» and «lower montane» levels on the Northern Alps and between the «high montane» and «upper/lower montane» levels to the Southern Alps. The information is based on the altitudinal vegetation belts determined by experts (accessible forest sample plots of NFI4 on the 1.4-km network; Arge Frehner et al. 2020), as well as on the altitudinal vegetation belts modelled for the period 1981-2010 (other sample plots; Zischg et al. 2021).

Classification of trees and shrubs ≥12 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) into the three classes: «introduced tree species», «native tree species» and «indeterminable and/or shrub species». Introduced tree species are tree species that have been intentionally or unintentionally introduced by humans into habitats outside their natural range. With this classification attribute, which is used in all inventories, the Japanese larch (L. kaempferi) and introduced arboreal willow species are not counted as introduced tree species, because they are recorded together with related native species in certain inventories. The Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi), for example, is grouped together with the European larch (L. decidua). Reference: Field Survey (MID 50: Baumart)

Introduced tree species ≥12 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh), recorded in all the Inventories, classified into the eight classes: Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), Weymouth pine (Pinus strobus), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), red oak (Quercus robur), non-native poplars (Populus [other introduced]), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), other introduced tree species (including sequoia, redwood, thuja, cedar, tree-of-heaven, horse-chestnut, tulip-tree). The remaining woody species (native tree species and all shrub species) are summarised in one class.

Type of trees and shrubs ≥12 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) with the ten most common species or species groups in Switzerland ('main tree species') categorised, and the classes 'other conifers' and 'other broadleaves' for the remaining species. The main tree species are: spruce (Picea spp.), fir (Abies spp.), pine (Pinus sylvestris, P. nigra, P. strobus, P. mugo subsp. uncinata), larch (Larix spp.), Arolla pine (Pinus cembra), beech (Fagus sylvatica), maple (Acer spp.), ash (Fraxinus spp.), oak (Quercus spp.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa). Reference: Field Survey (MID 50: Baumart)

Classification of trees and shrubs ≥12 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) into four classes according to the number of visible cases of damage or the condition of the tree (living/dead, standing/lying). Reference: Field Survey (MID 1018: Baumzustand, MID 1027: Baumschadenart)

Forest ownership, classified according to the two categories: 'public' and 'private'. Reference: Forest Service Survey (MID 365: Eigentum)

Type of forest reserve («natural forest reserve», «special forest reserve“ or «other forest»), based on the forest reserves as designated by the cantons (as of 2023) and the forest/non-forest decision of the respective Inventory. Reference: GIS data from FOEN, 2023, and Field Survey (MID 816) or – if the forest is inaccessible – aerial photo interpretation

Type of trees and shrubs ≥12 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh). The three most common species or species groups in Switzerland (spruce - Picea spp.; fir - Abies spp.; beech - Fagus sylvatica) are in individual classes, while the remaining species are classified as «other conifers» or «other broadleaves». Reference: Field Survey (MID 50: Baumart)

Type of trees and shrubs ≥12 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) – in 56 classes. The species (or species groups) not explicitly listed are subsumed in the classes «other conifers», «other broadleaved trees» and «other shrubs». Reference: Field Survey (MID 50: Baumart)

Demarcation of Switzerland into five regions (Jura, Plateau, Pre-Alps, Alps and Southern Alps) with relatively uniform growth and timber production conditions. The production regions were established by the Federal Office of Forestry long before the first National Forest Inventory (NFI1, 1983-1985). With a small exception along Lake Geneva, the boundaries of the production regions still follow the municipal boundaries of the time. Unlike the NFI, the Forestry Statistics of the Federal Statistical Office don't use the production regions as demarcation but rather the forestry zones, whose boundaries are somewhat different.

Division of Switzerland into 14 regions (2 in the Jura, 3 on the Plateau, 3 in the Pre-Alps, 5 in the Alps and 1 in the Southern Alps). The economic regions are a subdivision of the production regions according to economic-geographical criteria.

Regional demarcation with the cantons as a unit, with the two half-cantons, Basel-Land and Basel-Stadt, combined into one canton for statistical reasons.

Demarcation of Switzerland into six regions with similar flora and fauna. The six regions correspond to the basic categories in the publication «The Biogeographical Regions of Switzerland», which was published by FOEN in 2022.

Regional demarcation with the forest districts as a unit. This variable was implemented in the year 2024 and is based on a survey with the cantonal forest services in the years 2022/2023.