> The Swiss forest performs many tasks. Among the most important, depending on the particular area, are: providing protection against natural hazards, timber production, and biodiversity and landscape conservation.
> About a third of Switzerland's land surface is covered with forest. The regional differences between the Swiss Plateau and the Southern slopes of the Alps are great.
> The total forest area has grown by 7 per cent to 1.31 million hectares since 1995. The forest is expanding, particularly in Alpine regions where agricultural land use is diminishing.
> The cantons can now specify so-called 'static forest boundaries' to prevent the forest expanding to areas where it is not wanted.
> Pure conifer forests account for 43 per cent of the forest area, making up the largest proportion. Since the 2005 Forest Report pure broadleaf forests have increased and today cover 25 per cent of the forest area.