Nature protection and biodiversity - National Responses (Liechtenstein)

Liechtenstein is a Contracting Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity and has set itself the goal of stopping the loss of biodiversity by 2010. Liechtenstein has also signed other conventions relating to biodiversity such as the Ramsar Convention, the Bonn Convention and the Bern Convention. The process of developing a biodiversity strategy has begun, with the Fourth National Report on Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity serving as the basis.

Efforts to promote conservation and the sustainable use of biological diversity have been significantly intensified since 1990. On the basis of the laws already in force, numerous instruments are being employed in the sectors relevant for biodiversity, including inventories and Red Lists, as well as strategic planning instruments (e.g. the Nature and Landscape Protection Concept for Liechtenstein’s Forests, the Development Concept for Nature and Agriculture). At a practical level, Liechtenstein is offering financial incentives. Thus, ordinances are used to create or expand the preconditions for paying financial compensation for services relating to the protection or sustainable use of biological resources, e.g. payments for ecological services in agriculture, which promote sustainable management via the criteria of the Proof of Ecological Performance (PEP) and organic farming. The PEP is the precondition for entitlement to direct agricultural payments and requires inter alia a balance of nutrients, regular crop rotations and compliance with water protection requirements. The goal of having all farms throughout the entire territory operating in accordance with the PEP has already very nearly been achieved, with the PEP having been actually implemented on 98 % of farmland. The number of organic farms increased dramatically in the 1990s. Today, 28 % of farms meet the criteria not only of the PEP but also of organic farming.

Near-natural management of the forests is established by law. The conservation and promotion of biodiversity in the forest rest on the three pillars of near-natural silviculture, forest reserves and small habitats worthy of protection. An important element of near-natural silviculture is the natural regeneration with local tree species appropriate to the location. 48 % of young stands and thickets have arisen from natural regeneration. 15 % are planted. 29 % are a mix of natural regeneration and planting.

The revitalisation of numerous stretches of watercourses demonstrates the efforts made to restore near-natural habitats. Liechtenstein has, in accordance with the Water Protection Act and the EU Water Framework Directive, undertaken to transform surface water into a state that is as near-natural as possible. Action plans still outstanding in respect of individual inland waters in Liechtenstein are to be drawn up in the near future as part of the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.

• Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein (2009a). 4th National Report on Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity
• Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein (2009b). Spatial Planning Report 2008: Report on Spatial Development in the Principality of Liechtenstein.
• Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein (2010). Liechtenstein’s Fifth National Communication under the UNFCCC and under the Kyoto Protocol

Unless otherwise indicated, the source for all data is the 4th National Report on Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity –  http://www.llv.li/2009_12_be_cbd_nationaler_bericht_endversion_en.pdf

• Office of Agriculture  -  http://www.llv.li/amtsstellen/llv-lwa-home.htm
• Office of Forests, Nature and Land Management  -  http://www.llv.li/amtsstellen/llv-awnl-home.htm
• Office of Environmental Protection  - http://www.llv.li/amtsstellen/llv-aus-home.htm
• Office for Statistics - http://www.llv.li/amtsstellen/llv-as-home.htm
• Office of Land Use Planning - http://www.llv.li/amtsstellen/llv-slp-home.htm