Process for a
UNESCO World Natural Heritage
"Beech Forests of Europe"
following a recommendation by the
World Heritage Committee in 2011 for
a complete and finite serial
transnational nomination of significant
primeval and ancient
„Beech Forests in Europe“
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpatiansv(2007) and
Ancient Beech Forests of Germany (2011)
Ukraine
Slowakia
Germany
Jasmund
Serrahn
Grumsin
Kellerwald
Hainich
Serial transnationale WH Site
„Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians
and Ancient Beech Forests of Germany“
The nomination is based
on UNESCO WHC criterion ix:
„Outstanding examples representing significant
ongoing ecological and biological processes in
the evolution and development of terrestrial,
fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems
and communities of plants and animals.“
The serial nomination comprises
outstanding examples of the evolutionary
and developmental processes of beech
forests since the last glacial period, giving
rise to a terrestrial ecosystem that has
shaped an entire continent in a globally
unique manner.
There is no other tree species in the world
to play such a dominant and unique role
as Fagus sylvatica.
Integrity
The nominated forests are the best old growth forest
stocks in the heart of beech forest distribution.
Their integrity is characterized by
- completeness of species composition, natural
structure,
regeneration cycles, and landscape complexes,
- area sizes, which are completely illustrating the
typical forms
and natural dynamic processes
The integrity has been guaranteed by
- the legal status with renunciation of all uses, and
- the management as strictly protected areas by state
administrations
Current Distribution of Fagus sylvatica
(Map: Erik Welk, M LU Halle/S., AG Chorologie)
(m/mo)-sm/mo-temp.oz1-2
Diversity of beech forests:
Geographical classification,
beech forests at eutrophic sites
24 geographical types
Eco-geographical Beech Forests Regions
(BFR)
(m)-sm/mo
1 – Pyrenaic BFR
2 – Appenninian BFR
3 – Illyric-Balcanic BFR
8
7
4
1
6
5
2
(sm/mo)-temp/coll-mo
4 – Subatlantic-Central
European BFR
5 – Alpic BFR
3
6 – Carpathian BFR
temp/planar
7 – Atlantic BFR
8 – Baltic BFR
The remaining stock
Few and small
ancient forests
survived
1,56 Mio ha
Forest cover is reduced
Remaining forests are changed
Beech forests in Europe are reduced to a small
fraction of their natural area
Ancient forests are rare
The protection status often insufficent
NATURA 2000
Vision 2015
A complete serial
transnational nomination
of Primeval/Ancient Beech
Forests of Europe
Vision 2015
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D
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UA
SK
F
E
A
SLO
RO
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I
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BG
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AL GR
Beech Forests – Joint Natural Heritage of Europe
Workshops at the International Academy for Nature Conservation
Isle of Vilm
Work package
Content
Time frame
1
First screening of potential areas in collaboration with experts (including expert meeting in Italy)
05/12-09/12
2
1st Transnational expert meeting (Vilm, Germany)
Expected output:
Draft formulation of the Outstanding Universal Value of a finite serial WH-property
Draft proposal of geographic scope of the series
October 2012
3
1st Strategic-logistic meeting on State Party level
Presentation of expert discussion on scope of a potential finite serial property
Presentation of expert discussion on identification of potential areas (component parts)
Constitution of a “European Steering Group” (proposal for lead country)
2nd quarter 2013
4
2nd Transnational expert meeting
Expected output:
Feedback from strategic-logistic meeting to expert meeting
Revised Draft formulation of OUV of a finite serial property
Expert discussion on potential nomination areas (component parts)
October 2013
5
2nd Strategic-logistic meeting on State Party level
Presentation of findings from the expert meeting in October 2013 and further analysis
Discussion on potential nomination areas (component parts)
Discussion on joint management issues
1st Quarter 2014
6
3rd Transnational expert meeting
Expected output:
Final Draft formulation of OUV of a finite serial property
Final expert discussion on potential nomination areas (component parts)
April 2014
7
3rd Strategic-logistic meeting on State Party level
Final decision on participating State Parties and nomination areas (component parts)
Final decision on "lead country"
Discussion on joint management
Decision on the further strategic-logistic process
3rd Quarter 2014