EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

European Beech Forests
Europe’s beech forests are deciduous forests
which are dominated by the European Beech
(Fagus sylvatica). Th e beech is endemic to
Europe. Beech forests are limited to Europe
(fi g. 2.1, 2.2). Such forests therefore share
the fate of all deciduous forests of the northern
hemis phere’s nemoral zone. Th ey have
been exposed to an enormous development
pressure (settlement, utilisation) for centuries
so that natural forests have become
scarce.
Forest communities built up and dominated
by the beech are widespread across major
parts of Central Europe. Potentially forming
the predominant zonal vegetation in Western
and Central Europe in terms of area, they
are found at the montane level of the South
European mountain ranges. Th ey show
the widest amplitude of soil trophic levels
and altitude distribution, of all deciduous
forests in Europe potentially occupying the
largest area (BOHN & NEUHÄUSL
2003). Th e beech’s main range of distribution
lies in the moder ately humid temperate
climate of Central Europe, with Germany
being the core area. Th e beech will be the sole
ruler here and attain coverage in excess of
90% of the tree layer, or is found accompanied
by few other tree species (DIERSCHKE
& BOHN 2004). Forming the principal
forest eco system, it represents the climax
vegetation.
A signifi cant feature of the beech forests is
a decline in fl oristic diversity, which is a
result of the history of fl ora and vegetation,
from the former glacial refuges in Southern
and Southeastern Europe up the northern
and northwestern subterritories.
2. DESCRIPTION
Germany bears extraordinary
responsibility for the
beech forests of the lowlands,
the oligotraphent to
mesotraphent forms of
the low mountain ranges,
and the completeness of the
(meso-) eutraphent beech
forests.
European Beech
(Fagus sylvatica)
Nationale
Naturlandschaften
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