Deadwood

• The deadwood volume across Switzerland has increased to 32 cubic metres per hectare in the past decade, meaning that this forest policy objective has been achieved in most regions. On the Plateau, however, there is less than 20 cubic metres of deadwood per hectare in some regions.<br />• Both values are sufficient only for species with low deadwood requirements. Old trees with a wide variety of microhabitats and large-diameter deadwood are still too scarce. Measures are needed to promote large-diameter deadwood and old trees that complete their entire life cycle.<br />• The growing demand for wood could jeopardise the positive trend towards higher deadwood volumes.