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

Kellerwald

Hainich Jasmund Serrahn Grumsin

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

1 Eco-geographical Beech Forests Regions (BFR)

(m)-

sm/mo 1 – Pyrenaic BFR 2 – Appenninian BFR 3 – Illyric-Balcanic BFR 7 8 4 5 2 3 6

(sm/mo)-

temp/coll-mo 4 – Subatlantic-Central European BFR 5 – Alpic BFR 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

E

?

F Vision 2015

?

D

I

?

SK UA

A SLO RO

?

?

?

AL

?

BG GR

3 4 5 6 7

Work package

1 2

Beech Forests – Joint Natural Heritage of Europe

Workshops at the International Academy for Nature Conservation Isle of Vilm

Content Time frame

First screening of potential areas in collaboration with experts (including expert meeting in Italy) 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 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 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) 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 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) 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 05/12-09/12 October 2012 2nd quarter 2013 October 2013 1st Quarter 2014 April 2014 3rd Quarter 2014