EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

In general, the European beech forests have
been increasingly subject to substantial
human interference since the Neolithic, and
even more so in the last 1,000 years, especially
in the Central European centre of
distribution. For example, the beech forest
range in Germany today is less than 10%
of the potential natural range. Alongside
with the loss of areas and structures, the history
of settlement and utilisation has also
interfered with the continuity of the developmental
and ecosystem-internal processes.
Th is is particularly evident by the loss
of dynamics, old trees, dead wood, and
micro habitats. Primeval forests have disappeared
from Central Europe safe for a
hand ful of tiny relics. In the beech forests of
the nominated component parts however,
the natural processes are allowed to take
course undisturbed. Th is is associated with
a natural cycle of growth and decay, which
includes the formation and accumulation of
dead wood.
4. STATE OF CONSERVATION AND FACTORS AFFECTING THE PROPERTY
4.a Present state
of conservation
Th e beech forests within the nominated
component parts are subject to the protection
of processes in line with the basic
principle “Let Nature be Nature” (tab. 4.1).
Th eir state of conservation is regularly
monitored based on their being located
within protected areas (national parks, biosphere
reserve). Series of data, obtained
within the scope of monitoring programmes
and reaching back up to several decades, are
available for all territories to capture and
illustrate the developmental dynamics of the
beech forests. It is an outstanding example
for the regeneration power of a climax ecosys
stem as well as for the ability of beech
forests to re-vitalisation of former degraded
sites (KNAPP & JESCHKE 1991). All
relevant areas including the primeval forest
relics are included. Alongside with the
surveys carried out within the scope of
forest research, one can draw on comprehensive
material obtained both from the
Despite human interference
with the forests of Central
Europe generally being
drastic, the natural processes
take an undisturbed
course within the nominated
component parts.
Nature is allowed to be
nature in the beech forests
of the nominated component
parts. Monitoring
is guaranteed.
Nationale
Naturlandschaften
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