The course of time
Primary succession is the sequence of ecological processes that occur when land is created or exposed for the first time and species start to colonise it. This landscape development can happen, for example, after glaciation when the ice melts and a rock/gravel landscape emerges.
Algae are the first to establish themselves, then lichens, mosses and, after a very long time, the first vascular plants—the so-called pioneer plants—appear. The vegetation becomes more and more diverse and the plants larger; the final stage of such a succession is called climax and in many regions of the world the forest is the natural climax stage.
In Switzerland and Europe as a whole, the landscape was still largely covered by natural forests as recently as 5,000 years ago.
Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukzession_(Biologie)#/media/Datei:AP_Biology_-_Primary_Succession_Drawing.svg
The map embedded here shows tree cover loss from 2001-2023 where and whenever the forest canopy decreased by at least 30%.
Over the last 5,000 years, humans have increasingly influenced and remodelled Earth’s habitats and landscapes. Until the mid 19th century, forests and treed areas in Switzerland were used in a variety of ways and were extensively cut down. Historical research shows a shortage of wood in many parts of Europe beginning in the High Middle Ages at the latest.
In Switzerland, the forest supplied multiple raw materials. Wood was used to make shingles, fence posts, homes and to provide heat, as well as everyday utensils and tools. Cattle were grazed in forests and forest leaves were collected and used as bedding material both for animals or for filling blankets and pillows (so-called bed leaves). The ash resulting from burning wood was used to wash clothes and the bark from oaks and spruces was used to tan animal hides. Resin was also a very popular natural product.
Although timber exports were prohibited, the business flourished and by the middle of the 19th century a considerable area of forest had been cleared. Timber was then transported on rivers until 1899, when the last rafts were tied up in Aarburg. Centuries of uninterrupted timber exports and clearcutting had a devastating impact on forests. In the 18th and especially the 19th century, severe flooding and landslides occurred, which led to the enactment of the first forest law (the first ever nature conservation law in Switzerland) in 1876. The Forest Act prohibited clearcutting, grazing in forests and the removal of foliage.
A and the removal of foliage.Although timber exports were prohibited, the business flourished and by the middle of the 19th century a considerable area of forest had been cleared. The timber was then transported on the rivers. The end of rafting was sealed in 1899, when the last rafts were tied up in Aarburg. The consequences of centuries of uninterrupted timber export and the clear-cutting carried out for this purpose were devastating for the forests. In the 18th and especiallythe 19th century, severe flooding and landslides increased, which led to the first forest law (and the first ever nature conservation law in Switzerland) in 1876. The Forest Act prohibited clear-cutting, grazing and the removal of foliage.
Today, clearcutting is again being carried out despite being still prohibited by law and timber is once more exported as far away as China, practices condoned by officials and legitimised with non-factual and unscientific arguments. Landslides are increasing in many places as a result; mostly after massive interventions in the forest, conducted 5-6 years earlier.
History is repeating itself.