Nature in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein lies entirely in the Alps and contains three contrasting natural regions: the Rhine valley with agriculture and settlements, the wooded and steep slopes on the Rhine side, and the inner mountain region of the Rätikon. The Alpine Rhine forms the western border and an important water system. Urban expansion, intensive use of the valley and Alpine agriculture or recreation create recurring conflicts between land use, water protection, biodiversity and landscape conservation. Forests cover approximately 6,865 hectares, or about 43% of the country's area. Near-natural forest management supports habitats and landscape stability. Protective forests reduce the effects of rockfall, avalanches, erosion and flooding. The Amt für Wald, Natur und Landschaft (AWNL) provides national supervision and enforces forest law, while municipalities own and maintain many forests. The condition and protective function of a forest therefore affect both local land management and wider safety planning. Liechtenstein's formal protection system includes nature reserves, landscape protection areas, plant protection areas, low-nutrient habitats, forest reserves, special forest areas, wetlands and natural monuments. Examples include Äulehäg, Birka, Gampriner Seelein, Schwabbrünnen/Äscher, Triesner Heilos, Wisanels, Schneckenäule and Ruggeller-Riet. The Naturvorrangflächeninventar records valuable habitats, landscapes, forest sites and natural monuments. These inventory areas are not automatically legally protected, but public authorities must consider them when balancing interests. The inventory was updated on 25 November 2025. The official Geodatenportal and the ÖREB-Kataster, which records public-law land restrictions, show protection categories and locations without a charge for map access. Entering or changing land use in a protected area, inventory object or low-nutrient habitat can require a nature and landscape permit. The AWNL handles the relevant procedure, with municipalities and landowners involved where their responsibilities are affected. Biodiversity means the variety of habitats, species and genetic life. The Biodiversity Action Plan 2030+ focuses on securing and connecting habitats and creating green infrastructure. Nature priority areas cover approximately 12% of the country's area in the context of the national spatial plan and the action plan. Liechtenstein has more than 50 mammal species, including the ibex, as well as threatened species associated with wetlands, low-nutrient meadows, forests and waters. Monitoring remains incomplete: fish in the Alpine Rhine are monitored continuously through cross-border cooperation, work on the Red List of vascular plants continued from 2025 into 2026, and the last systematic breeding-bird survey dates from 2008. These gaps limit what can be concluded about some species and habitats. Neobiota are non-native organisms that can spread and harm ecosystems, agriculture, infrastructure or health. They include invasive plants, animals and fungi. The 2024 release ordinance prohibits 22 plant species or species groups, with the exact prohibition depending on the species. Keeping, trading or releasing a listed organism can be prohibited. Owners, possessors, land managers and operators of facilities must take proportionate containment or control measures, or tolerate such measures by the responsible bodies. Reports and coordination go through the AWNL. Wildlife management combines protection, habitat care and regulated hunting. Hunting is a state prerogative and takes place in 18 hunting territories ranging from approximately 502 to 1,321 hectares. A hunting association normally has at least four members and operates for an eight- to ten-year lease period. The government sets the annual hunting plan. Hunting associations manage wildlife, respond to wildlife accidents and dead animals, improve habitats and help prevent damage to forests and cultivated land. A Jagdkarte, or hunting card, requires the applicant to be at least 18, hold liability insurance and provide proof of hunting competence and marksmanship. Guest cards can cover one day to three years, but only until the end of the relevant lease period. Fees are set separately, and the AWNL assesses whether qualifications from elsewhere are equivalent. Wildlife quiet zones protect animals during sensitive winter periods. In the mountain region, access is prohibited from 15 December to 15 April; on the Rhine valley side, the period runs from 1 January to 31 March. Signs identify the zones. Hiking, skiing and snowshoeing must remain on marked or otherwise permitted routes in these areas. The Naturwacht monitors nature and landscape protection. It had eight wardens and recorded 153 controls in 2025. The Alpine Rhine, inland canals, streams and wetlands form the main water environments. Under the EEA Water Framework Directive, water management seeks good ecological and chemical status or good ecological potential where a natural state is not achievable. The Amt für Umweltschutz (AUS) is responsible for water protection and fisheries. Liechtenstein cooperates with cross-border bodies including IGKB, IKSR, IRKA and IBKF. River restoration must be balanced with flood protection, agriculture, water use and fishing. Fishing protects native fish, crayfish, food organisms and aquatic habitats while allowing sustainable use. A fishing card requires a passed examination. Applicants may take the examination in the year of their eleventh birthday, receive a card from age 12 and fish unaccompanied from age 14. The examination is held once a year in autumn, contains 50 questions and requires at least 90% correct answers. The number of participants is limited to 40, and the official registration deadline and current fees apply. The fisheries administration within the AUS and the fishing association support the process. Nature-compatible recreation is supported by approximately 215 kilometres of valley walking paths, 160 kilometres of mountain walking paths and 5 kilometres of Alpine paths. Markings and signs indicate the paths, but protection areas and winter quiet zones can restrict access. Liechtenstein has no documented local equivalent of a national-park or nature-park system, so access and conservation are organised through protected sites, landscape rules, forest management, wildlife zones and public paths. Mushroom collecting is subject to seasonal, quantity and location limits. Collection is allowed from the 11th day to the last day of each month, between 8:00 and 20:00. Each person may collect up to 1 kilogram of porcini, chanterelles and morels together, plus up to 2 kilograms of other edible mushrooms per day. Groups of more than three people are prohibited unless they are a family group. Picking is completely prohibited in nature reserves and forest reserves. Mushroom checks take place from 11 April to 31 October. Wildlife wardens, hunting and fishing officers, nature wardens, mushroom inspectors, forestry officers and the national police may enforce the rules. Nature-related hazard planning covers floods, surface runoff, bank erosion, debris flows, severe storms, avalanches, forest fires, landslides, rockfall, blockfall, rockslides, mountain collapses and earthquakes. Protective forests, protective structures, hazard maps, spatial planning and early-warning systems reduce exposure and damage. The Amt für Bevölkerungsschutz (ABS) plans and coordinates this work with municipalities, water emergency organisations and the fire service. Alarms, evacuations, rescue and disaster response belong to the adjacent disaster-management field rather than to the nature subject itself. The Liechtenstein curriculum, LiLe, and education for sustainable development, BNE, address the natural environment and resources across subjects, especially in Nature, Human Being and Society. Schools from kindergarten through upper secondary education can use formal lessons, excursions and environmental projects. The LGU, the environmental calendar and other providers offer additional activities, while citizen-science and specialist natural-history research provide ways to collect and interpret observations. Formal school education is free within the school framework; external activities may charge fees set by the provider. Since 1 August 2026, the former Amt für Umwelt has been divided. The AWNL covers forests, nature, landscapes, hunting and agriculture, while the AUS covers water, fisheries and environmental protection. Some public information pages may still show the former structure during the transition. Current authority names, protection categories, local regulations and applicable fees should therefore be checked before an application, intervention, collection activity or organised use of nature.