As a result of the signing and the ratification of the International C
onvention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro 1992), the signatori
es committed themselves financially in order to ensure the monitoring
of the Biodiversity on their territory. In order to fulfill this task,
the Swiss Confederation has equipped itself with the Centre of the Sw
iss Floristic Network. This paper describes the Centre's aims and the
resources at its disposal (financial means, administration, required p
ersonnel, computer tools, information flow and management). A Synonymi
c Index of the Flora of Switzerland and its adjacent regions is also p
resented. The publication of a new series of floristic notes is announ
ced.