Standing volume
Standing volume is the material capital of the forest. It is the result of natural factors and human activities. In this sense, it is not a parameter in itself (which means that the indicator cannot be assessed), but probably an important indicator for considerations such as stored carbon. The local and temporary reduction of standing volume may be useful to conserve forest stability and for silvicultural and ecological reasons.
impossible to evaluate
impossible to evaluate
- Database
- National forest inventory NFI
Overall, the timber stock has remained relatively stable over the past decades, but with regionally different changes. In the Alps and on the southern side of the Alps, it has increased because less wood was used than regrew, and the forest has newly grown on abandoned cultivated land. In the Jura and the Central Plateau, the stock has decreased mainly due to increased tree mortality and forced harvesting, caused by drought, bark beetle infestations, diseases or windthrow.
Although a national target cannot be set for the standing volume, the indicator provides an important measurement of the forest. Nevertheless, target standing volumes can be set locally based on local conditions as well as forest management goals and measures.
With around 347 m3 per hectare, Switzerland’s forest is one of the largest standing volume of European countries (State of Europe’s forests); wood harvesting is associated with high costs particularly in the insufficiently developed regions of thePre-alps, the Alps and the Southern Alps.
The data on standing volume are provided by aerial images, the continuous sample survey carried out in forests and subsequent modelling. Evaluation unit: accessible forest without brushwood. Network: 1.4 km network (in NFI5: 1.4 km network, sub-networks 1-5).
Further information
