Liechtenstein - Overview

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

Liechtenstein is embedded between Switzerland and Austria. Natural boundaries are the Alpine Rhine to the west and the Rätikon massif to the east. Comprising an area of only 160 km2, Liechtenstein is the fourth smallest sovereign State by area in Europe. The country is structured into three physical regions with special characteristics in regard to geology, climate, exposure, and use: the Rhine Valley plain, the Rhine Valley slopes, and the mountain region... More »

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

Threats to biological diversity arise from abandonment of use and the resulting fallowing of marginal yield areas. Threats are becoming apparent due to an increase in settlement areas and infrastructure, as well as from increasingly intensive use of the landscape for recreation and leisure. Threats to biodiversity in agricultural areas arise from the potential for intensification, due to good prices for products and the possible expansion of infrastructure in these areas... More »

Implementation of the NBSAP

Liechtenstein has developed a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2010). Strategic goals that have been set in this regard include: conservation of habitats and the promotion and upgrading of current habitats; conservation of species; conservation of landscape, forest and soil; and the incorporation of more nature in the utilized landscape... More »

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Nature protection areas and forest protection areas comprise 13% of the country's territory. As a basis for assessing the potential of near-natural areas worthy of protection, the Inventory of Nature Priority Areas (1992) is used. A comparison of the current status with the inventoried areas shows that there is still potential for placement under protection... More »

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)

It is of utmost importance to Liechtenstein to conserve its biological diversity. Liechtenstein's goal in this regard is set out in the Law on the Protection of Nature and Landscape: "The entire area of habitats shall be protected and restored where necessary”. Other pillars are the Forestry Act, the Water Protection Act, the Fishery Act, and the Agriculture Act... More »

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

Liechtenstein employs three tools for evaluating environmental effects: Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and intervention procedures under the Nature Protection Act. The assessment procedures have different fields of application, but their functions complement each other... More »