Ecological infrastructure of the Canton of Bern

The structured landscape of Ranflüh: Varied natural and near-natural habitats favor biodiversity.
Author: Hintermann & Weber

Ecological infrastructure of the Canton of Bern

  • Our Objective

    Safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services in the long term—by means of efficient implementation of a functioning ecological infrastructure. 

  • Figures

    The project was launched on June 1, 2020 and has been concluded.

Summary

With its Swiss Biodiversity Strategy and associated action plan, the Swiss Federal Council seeks to preserve or restore ecosystem services for the long term. Central to this is the development of a functioning ecological infrastructure by 2040. Ecological infrastructure means a network of natural and near-natural habitats. It consists of core areas (like raised bogs or fens) and connecting corridors (like wildlife bridges or hedgerows). 

Through 2024, the cantons laid the foundations for their ecological infrastructure. In the Canton of Bern, this project defined regionalized goals and priority areas based on the current state of the planned core and connectivity areas. Priority areas indicate where existing core areas and connectivity areas should be maintained or improved, and where new areas should be established.  

Technical planning was carried out in close collaboration with the agencies concerned. Actual implementation of the ecological infrastructure falls under the revision of the sectoral plan for biodiversity and was not part of this project. 

In collaboration with: Office for Agriculture and Nature of the Canton of Bern (LANAT) 

Project Connections

Timeline

  • More information on the project

    Project Update February 17, 2025

    Through 2024, the cantons laid the foundations for their ecological infrastructure. In the Canton of Bern, this project defined regionalized goals and priority areas based on the current state of the planned core and connectivity areas. Priority areas indicate where existing core areas and connectivity areas should be maintained or improved, and where new areas should be established.  Technical planning was carried out in close collaboration with the agencies concerned. Actual implementation of the ecological infrastructure falls under the revision of the sectoral plan for biodiversity and was not part of this project. More information: Ökologische Infrastruktur (Information about ecological infrastructure on the website of the Canton of Bern; available in German and French)

    City creek of Burgdorf: Near-natural watercourses and their surroundings are used as “migration routes” by many animals and plants, thus connecting the landscape.
  • The development of invasive non-native plant populations

    Project Update February 17, 2025

    The development of invasive non-native plant populations (lines) and the costs of containment measures (bars) over time, shown here for no measures (red), isolated measures (blue), and concerted measures (green). Prompt, concerted containment measures clearly pay off: they effectively reduce and control the populations of invasive non-native plants over the long term. Graphic designed by: Amt für Abfall, Wasser, Energie und Luft des Kantons Zürich (Office for Waste, Water, Energy and Air of the Canton of Zurich)

    The annual fleabane (Erigeron annuus) is an invasive non-native plant that is spreading rapidly and causes harm particularly on agricultural land and in protected areas.

Team