Bois de l'Hôpital, une réserve forestière à interventions particulières | «Le Bois de l'Hôpital»: a forest reserve for special intervention

Abstract

Within the framework of its sustainable development policy(Agenda 21), the city of Neuchâtel has created a number of forest reserves among others «le Bois de l'Hôpital», which covers an area of roughly 100 ha and is destined for special intervention. The perimeters of the woods consist of a rich mosaic of rare plant societies including very special forest stands (oak groves, various deciduous species and European black pine resulting from earlier afforestation). The absence of exploitation has led to a strong densification of certain massifs and the disappearance of a dry lawn in the «garides». First tending measures and the opening of clearings between 2002 and 2005 have been very beneficial to the diversity of flora and fauna,especially the insects.