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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

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110 NOMINATION DOSSIER "ANCIENT BEECH FORESTS OF GERMANY"<br />

Fig. 4.2: Stages of forest development<br />

in a part of Grumsin<br />

(from WINTER 2005): Th e<br />

phases of forest development are<br />

designated following TABAKU<br />

2000.<br />

4.a.3 Grumsin<br />

Status<br />

Th e nominated component part is an old<br />

beech forest site showing a high temporal<br />

and spatial continuity. It is located amidst<br />

an ample complex of beech forests stretching<br />

all through the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere<br />

Reserve from the terminal moraine<br />

of Chorin to the Melzow forest.<br />

Th e beech forests consist of rather uniformly<br />

structured populations with high stem<br />

numbers and 131 to 170 years of age, including<br />

natural rejuvenation zones. Tree species<br />

mixtures with oaks, hornbeams, and ash trees<br />

are a result of local heterogeneities especially<br />

along the embedded lakes and moors. With<br />

some 640 m³/ ha, the wood pool is already<br />

notably larger than in comparable managed<br />

forests (WINTER 2005). After having<br />

been placed under protection, the forest has<br />

regained its dynamics through regeneration<br />

and natural processes of development.<br />

Resulting from the freedom from use which<br />

has been continuing for two decades, the<br />

formerly hall-like old forest has developed<br />

small-scale clearings. Th e competition<br />

or storm-related loss of individual trees or<br />

groups of trees has given rise to minor<br />

lightwells or clearances. All development<br />

phases of the lowland beech forest are<br />

present (TABAKU 2000), with small-scale<br />

rejuvenation and aging processes taking<br />

place (fi g. 4.2). Th e dead wood portion is<br />

increasing with every year of non-cultivation.<br />

Indicator species typical of the component<br />

part are, among others, Stock Pigeon<br />

(Columba oenas), Green Woodpecker<br />

(Picus viridis), Middle Spotted Woodpecker<br />

(Dendrocopos medius), Lesser Spotted<br />

Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor), Marsh<br />

Tit (Parus palustris), Common Crane<br />

(Grus grus), and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).<br />

Trend<br />

Th e beech stands, which are relatively of the<br />

same age, will disintegrate in the long term<br />

and at a large scale to regain a typical<br />

mosaicked structure in the course of the

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