Distribution and limits of evergreen broad-leaved (laurophyllous) species in Switzerland

The Central European forests are relatively species-poor compared with the analogue vegetation of North America or East Asia. Only few woody, evergreen broad-leaved species were able to recolonize Central Europe after the last glaciation. Nowadays, exotic species are spreading with increasing frequency. Especially evergreen broad-leaved (laurophyllous) species become more and more established in the indigenous vegetation. The process of their introduction and spread, in the context of potential causal factors, are discussed in the following paper.