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Eidgenössische Ethikkommission für die Biotechnologie im Ausserhumanbereich EKAH
Information platform Biodiversity Switzerland (IPB-CH)
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National monitoring programmes
Sound data on status and trends of biodiversity are a prerequisite for effective decision making and the planning of activities for conservation and sustainable use of its components.
The main programmes and action plans contributing to data compilation on the status and trends of biodiversity in Switzerland include:
Biodiversity Monitoring Switzerland (BDM)
BDM is a long-term programme launched by Switzerland’s federal government to record the country’s biological diversity. BDM is based on 33 indicators, representing important, measurable segments of biodiversity. Just like the Dow Jones Average points towards economic trends, BDM indicators reveal where nature is headed and provide data on the conservation status of biodiversity within Switzerland.
Monitoring of Sustainable Development (MONET)
The indicator system MONET shows Switzerland’s progress on the road to sustainable development. MONET is a joint activity of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE).
Agro-Environmental Monitoring (AEM)
AEM aims at evaluating how agricultural practices influence the environment. AEM is a product of the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG).
National Forest Inventory (NFI)
NFI is the main survey of the state of Swiss forests (WSL, National Forest Inventory, www.lfi.ch, status June 2009). On more than 6 000 systematically distributed plots, information on the state of forests (excluding forest health) is recorded at regular intervals. NFI is part of the Swiss Forest Monitoring programme along with the Long-Term Forest Ecosystems Research (LWF), the Sanasilva Inventory (SSI), and the Forest Insect and Disease Survey (FIDS).
NFI is a programme of the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN that is implemented by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL.
WSL: Swiss national forest inventary
Forest health inventory (Sanasilva-Inventory)
The Sanasilva Inventory has been carried out in its current form since 1985 by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forests, Snow and Landscape WSL. Its aim is to monitor the health of the Swiss forest using crown and tree parameters as indicators of forest condition.
Reports were produced each year until 1993, after which they have appeared within the reports published jointly by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the European Commission.
Longterm Forest Ecoystem Research (LWF)
The mission of Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research LWF is to improve our understanding of how natural and anthropogenic stresses affect forests in the long term, and which risks for humans are involved. Consequently, we need to gain a more profound knowledge of the cause-effect relationships in the forest ecosystem and the underlying processes. The aims of LWF are:
- to assess external anthropogenic and natural stresses (e.g., atmospheric deposition, climate)
- to assess changes of relevant forest ecosystem components
- to evaluate the influence of external stresses on forest ecosystems
- to develop indicators of forest health
- to analyse the risks under different stress scenarios
The LWF is conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL and is part of the International Long-Term Ecological Research Network ILTER
Intercantonal forest observation programme
The Institute for Applied Plant Biology (IAP) publishes reports on the health of our forest on mandate of nine cantons and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). Using an elaborate approach for the 25 last years, the IAP/IBA monitored the development of the forest on 117 permanent plots in the nine cantons and 16 additional plots in other cantons.
12.000 spruces, beeches and oaks were observed regularly. Consolidated and supra-regional results thus were obtained at regular intervals. The study gives basic information aiming at ensuring the comprehension and the perenniality of the various services provided by the forest ecosystem. It is in particular possible to determine critical loads for the evaluation of the risks to the long-term conservation of the forest.
Institute for Applied Plant Biology (IAP)
National River Monitoring and Survey Programme (NADUF)
The National River Monitoring and Survey Programme (NADUF) tracks the concentrations of substances occurring in selected Swiss watercourses.
NADUF, launched in 1972, is a project run jointly by the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) and, since 2003, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).
The programme is designed to provide the fundamental data required for water protection and research. For this purpose, nutrients and pollutants have been studied continuously in large and medium-sized rivers since the mid-1970s, and more recently also in smaller watercourses.
The findings are used in assessing the effects of existing water protection measures and, where necessary, in planning additional measures.
Monitoring Spatial Development Programme (observation du territoire)
The programme systematically monitors the evolution of spatial development in Switzerland. The programme is conducted by the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) and completes existing statistical sources, especially those derived from cantonal sources. The principle goals of the programme include:
- Establishing a statistical baseline and an indicator system (data);
- Assessing the evolution of spatial structure (monitoring and analyses); and
- Evaluating the measurements applied (controlling).
National Landscape Monitoring (LABES)
The programme, established by the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, aims at monitoring the status and trends of Switzerland's landscapes on the basis of 37 periodically updated indicators. The results of LABES serve to identify measures to curb unwanted developments. Today, a total of 17 indicators have been elaborated, for instance regarding different types of land-use, landscape fragmentation, urban sprawl, and light emissions. Additional indicators will be available in 2012, targeting traditional forms of land-use, authenticity, accessibility of recreational areas, the quality of landscapes in residential areas as well as regarding the perception of landscapes. The previous monitoring programme "Landscape under pressure", which includes indicators on the variety within landscapes, will be integrated into LABES.
National Air Pollution Monitoring Network (NABEL)
NABEL is a programme conducted by the federal Office for the Environment FOEN that measures air pollution at 16 locations in Switzerland. The stations are distributed throughout the country and monitor pollution at typical locations (e.g. city-centre streets, residential areas, rural stations). NABEL measures indicator pollutants of national significance (e.g. nitrogen dioxide, ozone, fine particles (PM10), etc.), for which ambient air quality standards have been established in the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control (LRV). The monitoring network commenced operations in stages, the first in 1979. A modernisation programme undertaken between 1989 and 1991 saw NABEL expanded from 8 to16 stations.
Swiss Soil Monitoring Network (NABO)
NABO is an instrument used for early detection of negative trends and for evaluating the effectiveness of soil protection measures.
NABO is operated jointly by the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN and the Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG. The network is managed on behalf of these federal agencies by Agroscope ART Reckenholz-Tänikon, the Swiss Federal Research Station for Agroecology and Agriculture.
National Climate Observing System
Switzerland has a long tradition in the observation of climate. Systematic long-term measurement series provided by Swiss institutions make a significant contribution to the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW). The Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss, is responsible for coordinating climatological observations carried out in Switzerland by federal offices, research institutes and universities.
Last updated on: 14.05.2012
