EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

chalk. Th is is an exceedingly hard and brittle
silicate (SiO 2 ) that has developed from
the amorphous silicic acid of radiolarians,
certain sponges, and algae.
Th e writing chalk having been distorted
due to the approaching glaciers of the main
thrust of the Vistula Glaciation led to the
emergence of Jasmund’s varied landscape.
In the lower reaches of the creeks, the water's
force has paved precipitous V-shaped
valleys. Storms and the concomitant fl ood
waters result in bank erosion.
Climate
Th e island of Rügen is generally characterised
by an oceanic climate, which features
low annual mean temperatures, relatively
slight annual temperature fl uctuations,
high atmospheric humidity, and high wind
frequency (RABIUS & HOLZ 1993).
As compared to mainland conditions, the
island climate is cooler with an annual
mean air temperature below 7.7 °C. Annual
precipitation ranges between 730 mm
and 860 mm. Th e mesoclimate is highly
diff erentiated due to the agitated relief. Cold
air pockets develop in the numerous basinlike
hollow forms; high atmospheric humidity
stagnates in precipitous V-shaped
and bank valleys while warm escarpments
are nestled against the cliff ’s edges and crests.
Soils
Boulder marl from the Vistula Glaciation,
which is found in its eroded form of boulder
clay, is the predominant parent substrate.
Th e northern subterritory is widely occupied
by boulder sands. Writing chalk is found
surfacing only at a small scale on hill crests.
Holocene formations include peat of various
mire types in the numerous boggy hollows.
Freshwater chalks in spring fens and on
percolated chalk slopes are peculiar features.
In the zone of the coastal crags and young
creek valleys, CaCO 3 -containing matter is
included in soil formation as a result of soil
erosion. According to REUTER (1958),
the developing pararendzines played a major
role in the young moraine landscaped of
the postglacial period. In plateau locations,
brown soils and lessivé have formed inside
the moraine covers. Podzolic brown soils are
predominant in sand sheets with low base
saturation. Leaves being blown away lead to
nutrient depletion.
Water balance
Open water catchment areas are found within
the valleys tapering off in east-west direction
in a comb-like manner. Inland dewatering
zones have formed most notably in the
northern sector of Jasmund. Inside these
superfi cially undrained hollows, surface
water accumulates in swamps, mires, and
bodies of standing water. Brooks issue from
the spring fens of Stubnitz which display
karst phenomena such as dolines, brook
ponors, and calc-sinter formations. Particularly
striking is the short, precip itous
course of the brooks nearby the steep coast.
Th ey leap over the chalk cliff , cross the
narrow seaside, and empty into the Baltic
Sea in small cataracts. A gorge has developed
at the mouth of the Kollicker Bach
(JESCHKE 1964).
Biotic factors
Biotopes and vegetation
In the Jasmund National Park, 80% of the
woodland is dominated by the beech.
Jasmund in its entirety can potentially be
assigned to the specious eutraphent and
mesotraphent beech forests that show an
unusual small-scale variety.
Dry orchid beech forest (Carici-Fagetum),
Dentario-Fagetum, and fresh lush wood
barley-beech forest (Hordelymo-Fagetum)
as well as poor acidophilous blueberry-beech
2. DESCRIPTION
Geology:
Rugen writing chalk,
Pleistocene and
Holocene formations
Climate:
Atlantic-Subatlantic
Soil:
brown soil, podzolic brown
soil, pararendzina, bog soil
Predominant beech
forest types:
Galium odorati-Fagetum
Hordelymo-Fagetum
Carici-Fagetum
Nationale
Naturlandschaften
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