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Forest reserves

In forest reserves, the conservation and promotion of biodiversity take absolute precedence over all other interests. The forest reserves are divided into natural forest and special forest reserves.
 
In natural forest reserves, forestry interventions are completely avoided so that the forest can develop naturally again. In special forest reserves, targeted interventions are made to promote threatened species habitats. These include, for example, many species that require a lot of light and warmth.
 
These protected areas are important for the nationally prioritized species and forest communities or habitats. The forest areas with natural development also serve as reference areas for research work related to near-natural forest management or climate change.
 
With the 2020 Forest Policy, it is planned that by the year 2030, at least 10% of the forest area will be designated as reserves (of which 5% for natural forest and 5% for special forest) and at least 15 large forest reserves (>500 ha) will be established.
Assessment of the state
medium medium
Assessment of the trend
unsatisfactory unsatisfactory
2030 Target for FS 2024: 10 2030 Target for FS 2022: 10 Proportion of forest reserves (FR) 2024: 7.8 Proportion of forest reserves (FR) 2022: 7.3
Data for the graph: Excel | Source: FOEN
2030 Target for NFS and SFR 2024: 5 2030 Target for NFS and SFR 2022: 5 Proportion of special forest reserves (SFR) 2024: 3.3 Proportion of special forest reserves (SFR) 2022: 3.2 Proportion of natural forest reserves (NFR) 2024: 4.5 Proportion of natural forest reserves (NFR) 2022: 4.2
Natural forest reserves: forest reserves with non-utilisation; Special forest reserves: forest reserves with targeted interventions to promote biodiversity
Data for the graph: Excel | Source: FOEN
Special forest reserves (SFR) 2024: 44608 Natural forest reserves (NFR) 2024: 60002 Special forest reserves (SFR) 2022: 42535 Natural forest reserves (NFR) 2022: 55586 Special forest reserves (SFR) 2019: 39326 Natural forest reserves (NFR) 2019: 47901 Special forest reserves (SFR) 2018: 37954 Natural forest reserves (NFR) 2018: 46199 Special forest reserves (SFR) 2016: 35173 Natural forest reserves (NFR) 2016: 41815 Special forest reserves (SFR) 2014: 30469 Natural forest reserves (NFR) 2014: 37385 Special forest reserves (SFR) 2012: 25470 Natural forest reserves (NFR) 2012: 32565 Total forest reserves (FR) 2024: 104610 Total forest reserves (FR) 2022: 98121 Total forest reserves (FR) 2019: 87227 Total forest reserves (FR) 2018: 84153 Total forest reserves (FR) 2016: 76988 Total forest reserves (FR) 2014: 67854 Total forest reserves (FR) 2012: 58035
Data for the graph: Excel | Source: FOEN forest reserve database (cantonal data sovereignty)

Comment

The assessment of forest reserves is nuanced. On the one hand, nearly three-quarters of the target set in the 2020 forest policy for the wooded area has been achieved, and the number of large reserves has already been exceeded.
 
On the other hand, although the share of forest reserves has significantly increased since 2012, the latest report on their status at the end of 2024 (Impuls 2025) indicates that the proportion of protected forest remains insufficient compared to the target set by the 2020 forest policy. Based on this, the status is judged as average and the trend is unsatisfactory.
 
Future improvements are necessary regarding the regional distribution, particularly to increase the share of reserves on the Plateau.

International comparison

The data on forest reserves are also used for international reporting and to check progress toward goals in accordance with international commitments. In 2015, the average of protected forest area for biodiversity conservation (MCPFE categories 1.1 to 1.3) in the countries studied in Europe was 14.9% of the total forest area (SoEF 2020). Switzerland is thus significantly below the European average. 

Method

The cantons have strategies for establishing forest reserves (natural and special forest reserves) and are responsible for implementing them. The cantons provide the geodata with the reserve areas, which are recorded in a GIS database at the FOEN. The data are updated every 2 years at the national level.

Basis for assessment of the trend

Targeted trend Initial value Final value Approach to the theoretical path in % Observed trend Assessment
10% in 2030 2022 2024 74.07% Towards theoretical path unsatisfactory
Basis: percentage of forest reserves
 
Last updated on: 28.11.2025