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Report·Energie, Umwelt, Versorgung·Document finding

26.4107 – Long-term damage and dangers of drought to forests and soil: What is the Federal Council doing?

Sep 15, 2026, 12:00 AM · Bundesklar Redaktion

Forests and soils have suffered major damage from the drought of the previous extreme summer. In the medium term, this can have massive effects on their protective, welfare and production functions, because they have, as it were, a “Dürre-Gedächtnis” (drought memory) and continue to suffer from the effects of a drought years after it has been overcome. This long-lasting damage also encourages subsequent disasters, because, for example, slopes become unstable and protective forests are damaged. In view of this situation, we ask the Federal Council to urgently answer the following questions: 1. What measures has the Federal Council taken or does it intend to take in order to strengthen the resilience of forests and soils to further drought events and possible subsequent disasters immediately and over the long term? 2. The coming months and perhaps years are extremely critical with regard to subsequent disasters and supply problems. How does the Federal Council intend to intensify national monitoring of soil, (protective) forests, the water balance and watercourses, and to adapt the situation assessment so that the available data can actually be used to anticipate the next danger phase? How does the Federal Council intend to organise cooperation in this regard with the cantons and affected sectors in order to create a common basis for decision-making? 3. What agricultural and forestry policy measures does the Federal Council intend to take to support agricultural and forestry holdings already affected today by drought and subsequent events (erosion, debris flows, etc.)? 4. In agriculture and forestry, part of drought resilience can be generated by the people concerned themselves by improving soil quality. The relevant measures (e.g. catch crops, undersowing, agroforestry systems, etc.) entail additional financial and personnel effort. What support measures is the Federal Council considering in order to improve soil quality?