Process for a UNESCO World Natural Heritage "Beech Forests of Europe"

following a recommendation by theWorld 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

SerrahnGrumsin

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/mo1 – Pyrenaic BFR

2 – Appenninian BFR

3 – Illyric-Balcanic BFR

(sm/mo)-temp/coll-mo4 – Subatlantic-Central European BFR

5 – Alpic BFR

6 – Carpathian BFR

temp/planar7 – Atlantic BFR

8 – Baltic BFR

1

23

4

5

67 8

1,56 Mio ha

Few and small ancient forests survived

The remaining stock

Beech forests in Europe are reduced to a small fraction of their natural area

Ancient forests are rare

The protection status often insufficent

Forest cover is reduced

Remaining forests are changed

NATURA 2000

Vision 2015A complete serial transnational nomination of Primeval/Ancient Beech Forests of Europe

E

F

D

ASK UA

I

SLO

AL

RO

BG

Vision 2015

GR

?

?

?

?

?

??

Beech Forests – Joint Natural Heritage of EuropeWorkshops at the International Academy for Nature Conservation

Isle of VilmWork 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