Aims and financial situation of legal entities with forest property

The management of Swiss forests is characterised by legal entities or corporations that own forests. In the last two decades, a large number of surveys of corporations regarding their relationship with forests and their management have taken place. This article highlights the discrepancy between the objectives pursued by the corporations and their financial situation. The findings should be taken into account when designing and implementing forest policy instruments, particularly with regard to the advice provided by the forestry service and financial incentives. Surveys of corporations with forest land present various challenges. Anyone using the results of such surveys must always take a critical look at the purpose of a survey, the research design and the implementation.