The Swiss Biodiversity Strategy published by the FOEN in 2012 recognises the need to create an ecological infrastructure to support the conservation of biodiversity. An ecological infrastructure is defined as a network of ecologically valuable terrestrial and aquatic habitats that forms the spatial basis for diverse and resilient biodiversity. InfoSpecies, commissioned by the FOEN and using species presence data, developed the scientific basis required for its planning. The results of the analyses can be found on the InfoSpecies website (only available in German, French or Italian).
The development of ecological infrastructure thus contributes to the promotion of species through the conservation and networking of habitats. For example, a number of lichen species on the list of national priority species do not require any special conservation measures and can be protected and promoted by the development of ecological infrastructure alone. To ensure that the ecological infrastructure is put in place on a national scale, its development by the cantons is included in the programme agreements between the Confederation and the cantons. Further information can be found on the corresponding FOEN page (only available in German, French or Italian).