EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

are the so-called “Driescher”, which are
found outside of the nominated property.
Th ese are former clearance vegetations
which were used as wood pastures after
abandonment, and have been aff orested
largely with spruce trees since the early 19th
century.
Th e eastern portion of the present national
park, which became a part of the principality
of Waldeck, had been used for hunting
from the 18th century. Increased browsing
damage in the adjacent districts prompted
the dynasty of Waldeck to set up a fence
in 1896, which is gradually being removed
today. Th is period also saw the fi rst successful
attempts at settling fallow dears and
moufl ons as wells as considerations toward
the designation of a “Reich nature conservation
area”. In the post-war period, the
preserve was designated as “wildlife preserve”,
and the hunting tradition resumed. Forestry
use, which had always been relatively
extensive in a core area of about 2,000 ha,
was ultimately ceased.
In January 2004, the Kellerwald-Edersee
National Park was designated by ordinance
to protect the valuable beech forests.
It comprises a total area of 5,738 ha in
which the nominated component part is
embedded. Th e national park is registered
as area NATURA 2000 site and bird
sanctuary as per European Habitats and
Birds Directive. Protecting and preserving
the submontane acidophilic beech forest
(Luzulo-Fagetum) and its development
processes takes centre stage.
Th e protected area is compact, free of settlements
and classifi ed roads, and is embedded
in the Kellerwald-Edersee Nature Park,
which measures about 40,000 ha and is rich
in beech forests. A hallmark of the national
park is the exceedingly high portions of
old growth. Some 30% of the nominated
area have not been used for decades. Small,
inaccessible relic areas have never seen
exploitation.
Natural disasters
Major portions of the allochthonous coniferous
stands, which are limited to certain
subterritories, were knocked over by the
storm “Kyrill” in 2007, which will speed
up the natural development process in
these areas. Th ese processes are illustrated
based on bark-beetle spreading and the
beech's natural competitiveness.
2. DESCRIPTION
Golden autumn in Kellerwald
Pure beech forests took
hold in Kellerwald about
3,000 years before present.
Kellerwald has been a
largely closed forest
landscape for centuries.
Nationale
Naturlandschaften
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