With the forest edge key, forest edges can be electronically recorded and assessed on site. To determine the ecological value of a forest edge, various properties of the forest edge must be measured, estimated or counted. The following parameters belong to the acquisition:
- forest edge depth
- Shrub belt depth and length
- Herb hem depth, length and type
- Foliage density
- Species of wood
- Botanical diversity of forest floor vegetation
- degree of toothing
- Small structures and dead trees
- Length of upstream shrub belt
- Extent and number of problem types and invasive neophytes

After the parameters have been recorded with the forest edge key, a total score is automatically calculated based on the entered data. The higher this total score is, the more ecologically valuable the forest edge examined is. For easy and quick assessment in the field, the forest edge examined is assigned to a corresponding quality category based on the total number of points achieved: "Forest edge not available", "Bad", "Insufficient", "Satisfactory", "Valuable" or "Very valuable".

Further functions of the forest edge key:
- Examined forest edges are saved automatically and can be called up again at any time.
- For each edge of the forest, the coordinates can be determined and a photo taken and saved together with the examined edge of the forest.
- The error-prone and annoying typing of the data collected in the field in the office is eliminated.
- The data of the examined forest edges (incl. Photo) can be sent directly with the forest edge key by email in the formats "jason" and "txt" and then processed with a spreadsheet program.
- And many more!

The forest edge key is an interdisciplinary project of the Institute for Environment and Natural Resources of the ZHAW and was developed in cooperation with various partners.