EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

36 NOMINATION DOSSIER "ANCIENT BEECH FORESTS OF GERMANY"
Fig. 2.7: Distribution range of
Melica uniflora as signature
species of the Fagus sylvatica
area type (MEUSEL et al.
1965)
Fig. 2.8: Global range of distribution
of Luzula luzuloides as
an example of beech forest
plants with focus of distribution
in Europe (taken from
MEUSEL et al. 1965)
Beech forest aesthetics are one
of a kind over the course of the
year: spring, summer, autumn,
winter.
Seasonality
As opposed to the climatic pattern of tropical
rainforests, the climate of the temperate zone
is distinguished by its seasonal changes
together with the phaenological fl oral cycle
involved. From a physiognomic perspective,
the most striking feature of deciduous
trees is the fall of leaves, which will further
accentuate the seasonal diff erences and
conditions of the biotopes respectively. However,
the foliage changing with the seasons
does not take place abruptly. In pure beech
forests, this process accompanied by unique
changes in colour, from bright neon green
in May to the golden leaves of autumn. Th e
most dramatic consequence of leaf fall is
the light climate’s periodicity. Th is sets deci-
duous forests apart from all non-deciduous
forest types, permitting the intermittent
occurrence of a herb layer that shows diff erent
specifi c adaptations. Spring geophytes
exploiting the brief warm spring period
prior to leafi ng for development are particularly
well adapted and transform the
soils of richer beech forests into a carpet
of fl owers.
Each of the nominated component parts
has distinct geophyte forests, which is
particularly true for the base-rich areas of
Jasmund and Hainich. Being multifaceted
both in seasonal course and structural
arrangement, they are very beautiful and, at
the same time, an image of their evolutio-