Switzerland's present-day forests are only limitedly adapted to heat and drought and exposed to an increasing risk of natural events and forest fires. This has a negative impact on its economic, social and environmental services. In comparison, the positive impacts of climate change on the forest are less significant.
The following overview shows the most important risks and opportunities for forestry based on the Confederation’s climate change assessment completed in 2017. Risks and opportunities for individual parts of the country are addressed in the section Major regions.
Legend:
[R] Risks of climate change
[C] Opportunities due to climate change
[?] Areas for which a clear assessment is not yet possible
[R] Impairment of forest services
- As a result of drought, pest infestation, forest fire and increasing natural events (especially rock fall, rockslides, debris flows) diminished wood production and quality, weakened protective effect, reduced recovery function,
- Release large quantities of CO2 due to the destruction of wood stocks
[R] Decreased wood production in forestry
- Increased damage to young trees due to heat
- Increased damage due to periods of increased concentration of air pollutants
[R] Rising risk of forest fires
- More frequent scarcity of water during periods of drought
[C] Positive effects on the forestry
- Increased yields thanks to rising mean temperatures and a longer growth period
- Decreasing damage due to snow pressure
[?] Uncertain impacts
- Increase or decrease of storm damage to forests and the associated consequences for the forestry and forest products and services
Last modification 31.01.2019
