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The federal government's "Forest Biodiversity" strategy, under which natural forest reserves are promoted, has been in place since the Federal Law on Forests was revised in 1991. We offer scientific support for this development through the "Research and effectiveness controlling in Swiss forest reserves" partnership project of the WSL, ETH and FOEN. It has been part of the Confederation's environmental monitoring programme since 2017.
The Swiss forest has been exploited intensively for centuries. The surviving remains of the old-growth forest are small. Through its "Forest Biodiversity" strategy, the Confederation supports the creation of natural forest reserves. These areas are expected to become similar to old-growth forests over decades.
At the end of 2018, the natural forest reserves covered 46,199 hectares, which corresponds to 3.5% of the forested area in Switzerland. There are also forest reserves in which additional nature conservation objectives are pursued on sub-areas, such as the promotion of certain species; these are referred to as complex forest reserves.
The Confederation is interested in learning about the effectiveness of its reserve policy. What does forest development look like in natural forest reserves? Are there actually differences to managed forests, and if so, what are they? For scientists, natural forest reserves are unique open-air laboratories in which they can study forest development and biodiversity.
Eighty years of natural forest research
We have been researching the forest dynamics in reserves for some 80 years, initially in the Swiss National Park, and since 2000 also in the Sihlwald and the Carpathian regions of Ukraine. For its part, ETH Zurich has been studying forest development in 39 Swiss natural forest reserves since 1948.
Since 2006, we have joined forces with the the ETH and FOEN in the long-term research project "Monitoring Swiss Natural Reserves". As part of this project, a standardised, practicable method has been developed for a Swiss natural forest monitoring system. A large area of the ETH reserves is still under observation; a portion has been discontinued in order to enable incorporating additional reservesto the observation programme, which will complement it appropriately. There are now 49 reserves under observation which cover the vegetation types throughout Switzerland.
The objectives of the research project are:
1. Scientific monitoring of forest development in a network of natural forest reserves
2. Evaluate the collected data and publicate the findings
3. Provide natural forest indicators for the environmental monitoring programmes of the Confederation
FURTHER INFORMATION
Publications
Scientific articles
Petrovska, R.; Bugmann, H.; Hobi, M.L.; Brang, P., 2023: Replace me if you can: abundance of advance regeneration under canopy trees in a primeval beech forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 537: 120939 (12 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2023.120939
Courbaud, B.; Larrieu, L.; Kozak, D.; Kraus, D.; Lachat, T.; Ladet, S.; Müller, J.; Paillet, Y.; Sagheb‐Talebi, K.; Schuck, A.; Stillhard, J.; Svoboda, M.; Zudin, S., 2022: Factors influencing the rate of formation of tree‐related microhabitats and implications for biodiversity conservation and forest management. Journal of Applied Ecology, 59, 2: 492-503. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.14068
Larrieu, L.; Courbaud, B.; Drénou, C.; Goulard, M.; Bütler, R.; Kozák, D.; Kraus, D.; Krumm, F.; Lachat, T.; Müller, J.; Paillet, Y.; Schuck, A.; Stillhard, J.; Svoboda, M.; Vandekerkhove, K., 2022: Key factors determining the presence of Tree-related Microhabitats: a synthesis of potential factors at site, stand and tree scales, with perspectives for further research. Forest Ecology and Management, 515: 120235 (12 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120235
Petrovska, R.; Bugmann, H.; Hobi, M.L.; Ghosh, S.; Brang, P., 2022: Survival time and mortality rate of regeneration in the deep shade of a primeval beech forest. European Journal of Forest Research, 141: 43-58. doi: 10.1007/s10342-021-01427-3
Stillhard, J.; Hobi, M.L.; Brang, P.; Brändli, U.; Korol, M.; Pokynchereda, V.; Abegg, M., 2022: Structural changes in a primeval beech forest at the landscape scale. Forest Ecology and Management, 504: 119836 (12 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119836
Bianchi, E.; Bugmann, H.; Hobi, M.L.; Bigler, C., 2021: Spatial patterns of living and dead small trees in subalpine Norway spruce forest reserves in Switzerland. Forest Ecology and Management, 494: 119315 (15 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119315
Forrester, D.I.; Hobi, M.L.; Mathys, A.S.; Stadelmann, G.; Trotsiuk, V., 2021: Calibration of the process-based model 3-PG for major central European tree species. European Journal of Forest Research, 140: 847-868. doi: 10.1007/s10342-021-01370-3
Haeler, E.; Bergamini, A.; Blaser, S.; Ginzler, C.; Hindenlang, K.; Keller, C.; Kiebacher, T.; Kormann, U.G.; Scheidegger, C.; Schmidt, R.; Stillhard, J.; Szallies, A.; Pellissier, L.; Lachat, T., 2021: Saproxylic species are linked to the amount and isolation of dead wood across spatial scales in a beech forest. Landscape Ecology, 36: 89-104. doi: 10.1007/s10980-020-01115-4
Käber, Y.; Meyer, P.; Stillhard, J.; De Lombaerde, E.; Zell, J.; Stadelmann, G.; Bugmann, H.; Bigler, C., 2021: Tree recruitment is determined by stand structure and shade tolerance with uncertain role of climate and water relations. Ecology and Evolution, 11, 17: 12182-12203. doi: 10.1002/ece3.7984
Larrieu, L.; Cabanettes, A.; Courbaud, B.; Goulard, M.; Heintz, W.; Kozák, D.; Kraus, D.; Lachat, T.; Ladet, S.; Müller, J.; Paillet, Y.; Schuck, A.; Stillhard, J.; Svoboda, M., 2021: Co-occurrence patterns of tree-related microhabitats: a method to simplify routine monitoring. Ecological Indicators, 127: 107757 (10 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107757
Mathys, A.S.; Brang, P.; Stillhard, J.; Bugmann, H.; Hobi, M.L., 2021: Long-term tree species population dynamics in Swiss forest reserves influenced by forest structure and climate. Forest Ecology and Management, 481: 118666 (10 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118666
Petrovska, R.; Brang, P.; Gessler, A.; Bugmann, H.; Hobi, M.L., 2021: Grow slowly, persist, dominate—Explaining beech dominance in a primeval forest. Ecology and Evolution, 11, 15: 10077-10089. doi: 10.1002/ece3.7800
Sabatini, F.M.; Bluhm, H.; Kun, Z.; Aksenov, D.; Atauri, J.A.; Buchwald, E.; Burrascano, S.; Cateau, E.; Diku, A.; Marques Duarte, I.; Fernández López, Á.B.; Garbarino, M.; Grigoriadis, N.; Horváth, F.; Keren, S.; Kitenberga, M.; Kiš, A.; Kraut, A.; Ibisch, P.L.; ... Kuemmerle, T., 2021: European primary forest database v2.0. Scientific Data, 8: 220 (14 pp.). doi: 10.1038/s41597-021-00988-7
Cailleret, M.; Bircher, N.; Hartig, F.; Hülsmann, L.; Bugmann, H., 2020: Bayesian calibration of a growth-dependent tree mortality model to simulate the dynamics of European temperate forests. Ecological Applications, 30, 1: e02021 (17 pp.). doi: 10.1002/eap.2021
Synek, M.; Janda, P.; Mikoláš, M.; Nagel, T.A.; Schurman, J.S.; Pettit, J.L.; Trotsiuk, V.; Morrissey, R.C.; Bače, R.; Čada, V.; Brang, P.; Bugmann, H.; Begovič, K.; Chaskovskyy, O.; Dušátko, M.; Frankovič, M.; Kameniar, O.; Kníř, T.; Kozák, D.; ... Svoboda, M., 2020: Contrasting patterns of natural mortality in primary Picea forests of the Carpathian Mountains. Forest Ecology and Management, 457: 117734 (9 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117734
Torresan, C.; Del Río, M.; Hilmers, T.; Notarangelo, M.; Bielak, K.; Binder, F.; Boncina, A.; Bosela, M.; Forrester, D.I.; Hobi, M.L.; Nagel, T.A.; Bartkowicz, L.; Sitkova, Z.; Zlatanov, T.; Tognetti, R.; Pretzsch, H., 2020: Importance of tree species size dominance and heterogeneity on the productivity of spruce-fir-beech mountain forest stands in Europe. Forest Ecology and Management, 457: 117716 (12 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117716
Zenner, E.K.; Peck, J.E.; Hobi, M.L., 2020: Development phase convergence across scale in a primeval European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 460: 117889 (9 pp.). doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2020.117889
Etzold, S.; Ziemińska, K.; Rohner, B.; Bottero, A.; Bose, A.K.; Ruehr, N.K.; Zingg, A.; Rigling, A., 2019: One century of forest monitoring data in Switzerland reveals species- and site-specific trends of climate-induced tree mortality. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10: 307 (19pp.). doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00307
Hilmers, T.; Avdagić, A.; Bartkowicz, L.; Bielak, K.; Binder, F.; Bončina, A.; Dobor, L.; Forrester, D.I.; Hobi, M.L.; Ibrahimspahić, A.; Jaworski, A.; Klopčič, M.; Matović, B.; Nagel, T.A.; Petráš, R.; Del Rio, M.; Stajić, B.; Uhl, E.; Zlatanov, T.; ... Pretzsch, H., 2019: The productivity of mixed mountain forests comprised of Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, and Abies alba across Europe. Forestry, 92, 5: 512-522. doi: 10.1093/forestry/cpz035
Stiers, M.; Willim, K.; Seidel, D.; Ammer, C.; Kabal, M.; Stillhard, J.; Annighöfer, P., 2019: Analyzing spatial distribution patterns of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) regeneration in dependence of Canopy Openings. Forests, 10, 8: 637 (20 pp.). doi: 10.3390/f10080637
Stillhard, J.; Hobi, M.; Hülsmann, L.; Brang, P.; Ginzler, C.; Kabal, M.; Nitzsche, J.; Projer, G.; Shparyk, Y.; Commarmot, B., 2019: Stand inventory data from the 10‐ha forest research plot in Uholka: 15 yr of primeval beech forest development. Ecology, 100, 11: e02845 (1 pp.). doi: 10.1002/ecy.2845
Willim, K.; Stiers, M.; Annighöfer, P.; Ammer, C.; Ehbrecht, M.; Kabal, M.; Stillhard, J.; Seidel, D., 2019: Assessing understory complexity in beech-dominated forests (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Central Europe — from managed to primary forests. Sensors, 19, 7: 1684 (13 pp.). doi: 10.3390/s19071684
Hülsmann, L.; Bugmann, H.; Cailleret, M.; Brang, P., 2018: How to kill a tree: empirical mortality models for 18 species and their performance in a dynamic forest model. Ecological Applications, 28, 2: 522-540. doi: 10.1002/eap.1668
Sabatini, F.M.; Burrascano, S.; Keeton, W.S.; Levers, C.; Lindner, M.; Pötzschner, F.; Verkerk, P.J.; Bauhus, J.; Buchwald, E.; Chaskovsky, O.; Debaive, N.; Horváth, F.; Garbarino, M.; Grigoriadis, N.; Lombardi, F.; Marques Duarte, I.; Meyer, P.; Midteng, R.; Mikac, S.; ... Kuemmerle, T., 2018: Where are Europe's last primary forests?. Diversity and Distributions, 24, 10: 1426-1439. doi: 10.1111/ddi.12778
Hülsmann, L.; Bugmann, H.; Brang, P., 2017: How to predict tree death from inventory data - lessons from a systematic assessment of European tree mortality models. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 47, 7: 890-900. doi: 10.1139/cjfr-2016-0224
Hülsmann, L.; Bugmann, H.K.M.; Commarmot, B.; Meyer, P.; Zimmermann, S.; Brang, P., 2016: Does one model fit all? Patterns of beech mortality in natural forests of three European regions. Ecological Applications, 26, 8: 2463-2477. doi: 10.1002/eap.1388
Hülsmann, L., 2016: Tree mortality in Central Europe: empirically-based modeling using long-term datasets. Dissertation, ETH Zurich. 217 p.
Wunder, J.; Manusch, C.; Queloz, V.; Brang, P.; Ringwald, V.; Bugmann, H., 2013: Does increment coring enhance tree decay? New insights from tomography assessments. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 43, 8: 711-718. doi: 10.1139/cjfr-2012-0450
Heiri, C.; Wolf, A.; Rohrer, L.; Brang, P.; Bugmann, H., 2012: Successional pathways in Swiss mountain forest reserves. European Journal of Forest Research, 131, 2: 503-518. doi: 10.1007/s10342-011-0525-1
Rohner, B.; Bigler, C.; Wunder, J.; Brang, P.; Bugmann, H., 2012: Fifty years of natural succession in Swiss forest reserves: changes in stand structure and mortality rates of oak and beech. Journal of Vegetation Science, 23, 5: 892-905. doi: 10.1111/j.1654-1103.2012.01408.x
Sabatini, F.M.; Keeton, W.S.; Lindner, M.; Svoboda, M.; Verkerk, P.J.; Bauhus, J.; Bruelheide, H.; Burrascano, S.; Debaive, N.; Duarte, I.; Garbarino, M.; Grigoriadis, N.; Lombardi, F.; Mikoláš, M.; Meyer, P.; Motta, R.; Mozgeris, G.; Nunes, L.; Ódor, P.; ... Kuemmerle, T., 2020: Protection gaps and restoration opportunities for primary forests in Europe. Diversity and Distributions, 26, 12: 1646-1662. doi: 10.1111/ddi.13158
Brang, P., 2005: Virgin forests as a knowledge source for central European silviculture: reality or myth?. Forest Snow and Landscape Research, 79, 1-2: 19-32.
Parviainen, J., 2005: Virgin and natural forests in the temperate zone of Europe. Forest Snow and Landscape Research, 79, 1-2: 9-18.
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Outreach articles
Waldner, P.; Hobi, M.; Stillhard, J.; Brang, P.; Hug, C.; Thimonier, A.; Schmitt, M.; Walser, M.; Köchli, R.; Zürcher, A.; Christen, D.; Hajjar, N.; Schaub, M.; Sutter, F.; Häni, M.; Meusburger, K.; Gessler, A.; Nussbaumer, A.; Hirsiger, T.; Zhu, J., 2023: Forschung im Waldreservat am Bettlachstock. Mitteilungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft des Kantons Solothurn, 161-179. doi: 10.5169/seals-1007786
Stillhard, J.; Abegg, M.; Brang, P.; Hobi, M., 2022: Entwicklung im Buchenurwald Uholka-Schyrokyi Luh über 9 Jahre. Bündnerwald, 75, 1: 18-21.
Wermelinger, B., 2021: Insekten im Wald. Vielfalt, Funktionen und Bedeutung. 368 p.
Kipfer, T.; Zangger, A.; Plattner, M.; Sattler, T.; Schmid, H.; Wechsler, S.; Bergamini, A.; Boch, S.; Hobi, M.; Wotruba, L.; De Sassi, C.; Künzle, I.; Bühler, C.; Martinez, N.; Roth, T.; Weggler, M.; Thiébaud, J.; Dändliker, G., 2020: Monitoring und Wirkungskontrolle Biodiversität. Übersicht zu nationalen Programmen und Anknüpfungspunkten. Umwelt-Wissen, 2005. 57 p.
Der Sihlwald ist einer der grössten zusammenhängenden Buchenwälder im schweizerischen Mittelland. Im Jahr 2000 wurde die Holznutzung eingestellt. Auf einer Fläche von 1098 ha steht der Wald seit 2007 als Naturwaldreservat und seit 2008 als kantonales Natur- und Landschaftsschutzgebiet (SVO Sihlwald) unter strengem Schutz.
WSL Berichte 93
2020
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Zweite überarbeitete Auflage: Totholz gehört zum natürlichen Waldzyklus und ist die Lebensgrundlage für zahlreiche Arten. Gezielte Massnahmen sind nötig, um anspruchsvolle Arten, die auf viel Totholz in einer bestimmten Qualität angewiesen sind, zu fördern.
Merkblatt für die Praxis 52
2019
Brang, P.; Zimmermann, S.; Feuerstein, G.; Hobi, M.; Bugmann, H., 2018: Klimawandel verursacht Waldwandel. Cratschla, 4-7.
Commarmot, B.; Wunder, J.; Heiri, C., 2017: Auswertung der Stichprobeninventur 2014 im Naturwaldreservat Bettlachstock-Hasenmatt. 67 p.
Schwerpunkt aus dem WSL-Magazin Diagonal, 1/17: Was passiert, wenn Wälder nicht mehr bewirtschaftet werden? Die Forschung in Naturwaldreservaten liefert Antworten.
Etzold, S.; Wunder, J.; Braun, S.; Rohner, B.; Bigler, C.; Abegg, M.; Rigling, A., 2016: Mortalität von Waldbäumen: Ursachen und Trends. In: Pluess, A.R.; Augustin, S.; Brang, P. (eds), 2016: Wald im Klimawandel. Grundlagen für Adaptationsstrategien. Bern, Haupt. 177-196.
Rigling, A.; Schaffer, H.P. (eds), 2015: Waldbericht 2015. Zustand und Nutzung des Schweizer Waldes. Birmensdorf; Bern, Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU; Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL. 143 p.
Brücker, R.; Heiri, C.; Bugmann, H.; Brang, P., 2015: Naturwaldreservat God da Tamangur - ein Arvenwald erholt sich. Bündnerwald, 68, 5: 36-40.
Im Sommer 2012 wurde im Aletschwaldreservat – parallel zu einer Vollkluppierung – eine Stichprobeninventur durchgeführt, um ein repräsentatives Bild der Waldstruktur zu erhalten. Die im vorliegenden Bericht präsentierten Kennzahlen beschreiben einerseits den gesamten Stichprobenperimeter (Aletschwald), und andererseits separat jeden einzelnen Waldtyp.
WSL Berichte 16
2014
Nach einer Vollkluppierung im 2012 wurde der Zustand des Naturwaldreservats Aletschwald mit den früheren Inventuren von 1942, 1962 und 1982 in Bezug gebracht, was die Beschreibung der zeitlichen Entwicklung des Aletschwaldes ermöglicht.
WSL Berichte 15
2014
Heiri, C.; Brändli, U.; Bugmann, H.; Brang, P., 2012: Sind Naturwaldreservate naturnäher als der Schweizer Wald?. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 163, 6: 210-221. doi: 10.3188/szf.2012.0210
Herrmann, S.; Conder, M.; Brang, P., 2012: Totholzvolumen und -qualität in ausgewählten Schweizer Naturwaldreservaten. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 163, 6: 222-231. doi: 10.3188/szf.2012.0222
Brang, P.; Heiri, C.; Bugmann, H. (eds), 2011: Waldreservate. 50 Jahre natürliche Waldentwicklung in der Schweiz. Bern; Stuttgart, Haupt. 272 p.
Reusser, J.; Heiri, J.; Weber, P.; Bugmann, H., 2010: Beziehungen zwischen Baum- und Krautschicht in Buchenmischwäldern. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen, 161, 4: 147-156. doi: 10.3188/szf.2010.0147
Brang, P.; Heiri, C., 2010: Forschung in Naturwaldreservaten. Bündnerwald, 63, 3: 15-20.
Bugmann, H.; Brang, P., 2009: Ausgewählte Ergebnisse aus fünfzig Jahren Forschung in Schweizer Naturwaldreservaten. In: Kräuchi, N.; Kirchner, J. (eds), 2009: Langzeitforschung für eine nachhaltige Waldnutzung. Forum für Wissen 2009, ETH Zürich, September 7, 2009. 93-102.
Bugmann, H.; Brang, P., 2009: Von der Natur lernen. Tec21, 26-29. doi: 10.5169/seals-108286
Brang, P.; Commarmot, B.; Rohrer, L.; Bugmann, H., 2008: Monitoringkonzept für Naturwaldreservate in der Schweiz. Birmensdorf; Zürich, Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL; ETH Zürich, Professur für Waldökologie. 58 p.
Temperli, C.; Streit, K.; Robin, V.; Brang, P., 2008: Standardauswertung der Stichprobeninventur in Naturwaldreservaten. Das Beispiel Josenwald. Birmensdorf, Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL. 46 p.
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Links
- WSL research group "Stand dynamics and silviculture"
- Chair of Forest Ecology at ETH Zurich
- Forest reserves (FOEN, in German, French and Italian)
- Bödmeren Primeval forest (in German)
- Leitsätze einer "Waldreservatspolitik Schweiz" (PDF-Datei)
- Swiss Biodiversity Monitoring BDM
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Silvia Stofer
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Andrin Gross