Storms such as Lothar often bring to light what has previously lain hidden in dark forests, thereby heightening our perception of problems in the realms of forest and game. Hunting and forestry measures can solve these problems and basic information is important in order to determine suitable measures. This is why regeneration control is called for after every storm to gather up-to-date information on forest regeneration and the influence of game. A collecting concept must include a supply of data from many levels. In a first step, on the basis of a survey assessment, we ask whether the region under investigation is a problem area or not and regions are accordingly assigned to one of either category. In a second step, measurements are carried out on samples in chosen indicator areas. These indicator areas are between 30 and 50 ha and representative of the forest and game conditions of the whole. In this phase woodland plants are inventoried according to the vegetation period of the previous year and the dormant phase directly preceding the time of the survey in spring according to tree species, size and damage to crown shoots. In a third step, silvicultural reference plots of around 0.5-1.0 ha serve to evaluate the undertaken measures and to compare the silvicultural goals on the stand level. Silvicultural evaluation is best carried out for the proportion of tree species in increment and growth stages, as well as for the distribution of tree species over sylvicultural reference plots,although not for the number of stems, as fluctuation is high in natural regeneration.

The existing information on the influence of wild animals on forest regeneration is an important basis for solution-finding for the ever-increasing problems of regeneration. Sufficient expert estimations allow the problematic areas to be recognised at a regional level and to be separated from the others. Indicator areas of the problematic sites, which should amount to at least 30 ha, the woody plants assessed according to tree species, size class and feeding damage to tips during the vegetation period of the previous year and the resting period directly before the assessment time in spring, can be counted on systematically distributed, permanent, simple sample circles. The interpretation of regenerative parameters should be based particularly on the intensity of feeding damage and its limited values according to EIBERLE and NIGG (1987) as well as the stem numbers. Pairs of comparable areas, one fenced and one unfenced respectively,are suitable as sample subjects for selective small-scale site observation. They present information on the influence of wild animals on indicator areas of the size of a stand or of a micro-site favourable to regeneration.

The forests around Pfäfers (SG) were very badly damaged by hurricane Vivian in 1990. Three of the affected areas were chosen and since 1994 surveys have been carried out in order to monitor reforestation. Investigations on regeneration and browsing in upper and high montane forests regarding silver fir/beech and silver fir/spruce forests show that the regeneration which took place before the hurricane is decisive for the consequent development of the areas hit by the storm. Even ten years after the storm, very little new natural seeding is to be found. It would be advantageous for silvicultural planning and monitoring if browsing intensity and the accompanying limit values of Eiberle and Nigg were taken more into account. In this way existing risks could be assessed and preventional measures taken.

In an investigation area in the Bernese Oberland, in which due to the influence of wild animals essential problems of forest regeneration have been predominant for about 30 years, hunting and the influence of the lynx have mutually contributed to a decrease in the deer and chamois populations to a level that allows all tree species in the forest to again regenerate naturally. It seems that the regulation through the intervention of planned hunting and the lynx can be sensibly complemented and thus has led to a dynamic within the stand of wild animals which is especially necessary for the habitat in general and the mountain forest in particular. The further distribution of lynxes within the whole alpine bow is, therefore, to be supported not only in order to protect the species but also to conserve mountain forests.

Slowly but surely the wolf is moving north and has reached the southern frontiers of Switzerland. Individual animals have already crossed the border and surfaced in the media as the«problem animals». The pressure arising from the wolf's impulse to settle will continue, and probably even increase. The working group Forest and Wild Animals of the Swiss Forestry Society spent 5 days in Italy on a field trip with the aim of collecting information and gaining knowledge of the wolf in Italy, in order to carry out a comparative study with Switzerland. In central Italy, where the wolf has always lived, hunting is not made impossible nor has cattle breeding ever been in doubt. In addition, local tourist industries have cleverly managed to market the wolf. The most striking feature is that the population in Italy understands how to go about their work without – or with a minimum of – conflict with the wolf. This is also the determining difference when it comes to coping with the diffusion of the wolf with as little conflict as possible. People in Switzerland still have to learn to cope with the wolf. Consistent and thorough herding and protection measures for sheep must be introduced and supported. The game populations in Switzerland are high but – as with sheep holding – not adapted to the presence of the wolf. Initially, therefore,attacks are to be expected in some regions until the game has acquired a more adaptive behaviour. The immigration of the wolf into Switzerland will hardly pass without conflict. Perhaps, however, it can be facilitated if the population of Switzerland can (re-)learn to live with the wolf. One great difference between Italy and Switzerland springs immediately to mind: while the population density is low in those areas of Italy where the wolf has its habitat, in Switzerland there are very few regions with a comparably low population density. This does not pose a problem for the wolf– it is adaptable – but it does add to the potential for conflict that can be expected to arise from the ongoing immigration. Within the present, ever-changing framework, humankind's relation with the wolf will continue to give rise to new questions. Successful answers and results will only follow from consistently solid work based on accurate information. This is all the more true because it concerns long-term development to meet a goal which calls for the integration of demands, claims,opinions and realpolitik, and the pressure from the wolf. We believe that our report contributes towards this goal.