The ValPar.CH pilot project (valorisation of ecological infrastructure in parks of national importance), commissioned by the FOEN (Federal Office for the Environment) as part of the Swiss Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan, mobilised an interdisciplinary research team to analyse the value of nature across its ecological, social, and economic dimensions.
The results of this Phase I now culminate in a practical guide intended for the planning departments involved in these issues. The tool structures its contributions around three complementary areas: planning (identification of spatial potential, consideration of territorial dynamics, distinction between robust and sensitive zones), governance (stakeholder involvement, leveraging of synergies, consolidation of sustainable structures), and communication (valorisation of ecosystem services, creation of nature experiences, strengthening of societal appreciation).
The guide provides access to the full body of ValPar.CH publications as well as to the public datasets, covering dynamic modelling, societal values, and economic assessments.
The content offered constitutes a scientifically grounded basis for decision-making and discussion, without substituting for site-specific studies, detailed planning, or legally binding procedures. Its primary aim is to shed light on the complex relationships between biodiversity, landscape, and ecosystem services in support of informed decision-making.