Nachhaltiger Schutzwald entlang von Fliessgewässern | Sustainable protection forest along bodies of flowing water

As a result of the flooding in the summer of 2005, the canton Lucerne is paying more attention to the protection forests along bodies of flowing water. Within the mapping framework of protection forests, a new category entitled “channel protection forest” has been assessed. The project “sustainable protection forest along bodies of flowing water” (Nasef) recognizes the sections of forested channels which may pose a risk in terms of natural hazards for people as well as for significant material assets. It evaluates what actions are needed in a harmonized way and sets the priorities for the necessary actions. The basis for evaluation and translation are the guidelines “sustainability and measurement of results for protection forests” (NaiS), which have been further developed by taking into account the forest stands growing on the banks of brooks. The objectives of Nasef are the preventive management of the protection forest growing along bodies of flowing water and, in the long term, the stabilization of the brook banks. This raises the considerable challenge to coordinate sylvicultural measures in protection forests in combination with maintenance measures within the flooding area. The article describes the basic conditions, history of origin, project organization, translation and first experiences with Nasef.