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Biotopes of national importance in Switzerland

The biotopes of national importance are particularly valuable biotopes. They are often ecosystems under threat and require specific protection. In addition to their value, the biotopes must be “sufficiently extensive habitats”, to be of national importance, but the actual size varies with the needs and the mobility of the species present.

The type of protection, measures and obligations vary from one biotope to another and provide made-to-measure standards that vary from the general standards. The following five categories of biotopes of national importance are distinguished: peat bog and transitional moors, low-level moors, floodplain areas, amphibian spawning areas, dry meadows and pastures.

Legal basis of biotope protection

In Switzerland, biotope protection is regulated by Art. 18 NCHA (Federal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage), more specifically by Art. 18a NCHA on biotopes of national importance. This article is part of the section on protecting fauna and flora (Art. 18 - 23, NCHA). It aims to protect species by preserving their habitats, and considers biotopes to be objects worthy of conservation. It protects high-value biotopes that are often biodiversity hotspots and hosts endangered species.  Article 18a NCHA determines what is to designate biotopes of national importance, and establishes the conservation objectives for these areas. Further, it defines the responsibilities and tasks of the Federal government and the cantons. Therefore, Art. 18a NCHA does not make substantive statements, but rather serves as a delegation provision and is the legal basis for orders issued by the Federal government and cantons. Since 1987, it is the basis of inventory of biotopes of national importance.

1. L. 451(NCHA), 1 July 1966 (Status as of 1 January 2022), on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage, Art. 18a, Biotopes of national importance, https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/en#art_18_a
2. OFEV, Office fédéral de l'environnement. "Biotopes d'importance nationale". www.bafu.admin.ch (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-14.
3. Sidi-Ali, Karin (2008). La protection des biotopes en droit suisse: étude de droit matériel. Schriftenreihe zum Umweltrecht. Genève: Schulthess. ISBN 978-3-7255-5773-8. p.32.