EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

Altitudinal zones
Planar
Colline-submontane
Montane-altomontane/subalpine
Kellerwald
2.a Description of Property
Biogeography
Th e nominated component parts are charac
teristic of the beech forests in Europe.
While Jasmund, Serrahn, and Grumsin
occupy the lowland at heights of 0 m to
a maximum of 140 m above sea level,
Hainich and Kellerwald are situated in the
colline to submontane altitudinal zone
(200 – 626 m above sea level), thus extending
the Carpathian World Natural Heritage,
the greater part of which being located at
levels between 600 and 1,000 m above sea
level (max. 1,940 m above sea level) and
consequently at the montane to subalpine
altitude level, by essential altitudinal zones
to give a com prehensive illustration of the
post glacial development process (fi g. 2.3).
Th e various altitudinal forms of beech forest
are characterised by the occurrence of altitudinal
diff erential species. While oaks
(Quercus petraea and Q. robur), Hornbeam
(Carpinus betulus), Small-leaved Lime (Tilia
Serrahn
Hainich
Jasmund
Grumsin
Primeval Beech Forests
of the Carpathians
cordata), and Field Maple (Acer campestre)
occur as mixed tree species in the planar
and colline beech forests and the nominated
component parts (BOHN & GOLLUB
2007), the (alto-)montane zone is naturally
mixed with Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia),
Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus),
White Fir (Abies alba), and Norway Spruce
(Picea abies).
Th e nominated component parts are located
in a typical temperate climate zone with
mild winters, moderately warm, at times
hot summers and rather evenly distributed
pre cipitation. Th is is the central climatic
range of the mesophytic deciduous broadleaf
forests, complementing the Carpathian
mountain climate with its long, cold winters
and a relatively brief growing season by relevant
growth types (fi g. 2.4).
Th e nominated component parts are markedly
diff erent in terms of soil base content.
Th e soils of Jasmund and Hainich are
base-rich in consequence of the high lime
2. DESCRIPTION
Fig. 2.3: Altitudinal zonation of
European beech forests (BOHN
et al. 2002 / 2003) in planar
(-colline), colline-submontane,
and montane-altomontane forms,
including position of the nominated
component parts and the World
Natural Heritage “Primeval
Beech Forests of the Carpathians”
The German beech forests
will extend the Carpathian
World Natural Heritage
by essential altitudinal
zones to give a comprehensive
illustration of
the post glacial development
process.
The temperate climate of
the German beech forests
is complementary to
the Carpathian mountain
climate.
Nationale
Naturlandschaften
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