1. Process for a UNESCO World Natural Heritage "Beech Forests of Europe" following a recommendation by the World Heritage Committee in 2011 for a complete and finite serial transnational nomination of significant primeval and ancient „Beech Forests in Europe“

2. Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpatiansv(2007) and Ancient Beech Forests of Germany (2011) Ukraine Slowakia Germany

3. Jasmund Serrahn Grumsin Kellerwald Hainich Serial transnationale WH Site „Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Ancient Beech Forests of Germany“

4. The nomination is based on UNESCO WHC criterion ix: „Outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.“

5. The serial nomination comprises outstanding examples of the evolutionary and developmental processes of beech forests since the last glacial period, giving rise to a terrestrial ecosystem that has shaped an entire continent in a globally unique manner. There is no other tree species in the world to play such a dominant and unique role as Fagus sylvatica.

6. Integrity The nominated forests are the best old growth forest stocks in the heart of beech forest distribution. Their integrity is characterized by - completeness of species composition, natural structure, regeneration cycles, and landscape complexes, - area sizes, which are completely illustrating the typical forms and natural dynamic processes The integrity has been guaranteed by - the legal status with renunciation of all uses, and - the management as strictly protected areas by state administrations

7. Current Distribution of Fagus sylvatica (Map: Erik Welk, M LU Halle/S., AG Chorologie) (m/mo)-sm/mo-temp.oz1-2

8. Diversity of beech forests: Geographical classification, beech forests at eutrophic sites 24 geographical types

9. Eco-geographical Beech Forests Regions (BFR) (m)-sm/mo 1 – Pyrenaic BFR 2 – Appenninian BFR 3 – Illyric-Balcanic BFR (sm/mo)-temp/coll-mo 4 – Subatlantic-Central European BFR 5 – Alpic BFR 6 – Carpathian BFR temp/planar 7 – Atlantic BFR 8 – Baltic BFR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

10. 1,56 Mio ha Few and small ancient forests survived The remaining stock

11. Beech forests in Europe are reduced to a small fraction of their natural area Ancient forests are rare The protection status often insufficent Forest cover is reduced Remaining forests are changed NATURA 2000

12. Vision 2015 A complete serial transnational nomination of Primeval/Ancient Beech Forests of Europe

13. E F D A SK UA I SLO AL RO BG Vision 2015 GR ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

14. Beech Forests – Joint Natural Heritage of Europe Workshops at the International Academy for Nature Conservation Isle of Vilm Work packageContentTime frame 1First screening of potential areas in collaboration with experts (including expert meeting in Italy)05/12-09/12 21st Transnational expert meeting (Vilm, Germany) Expected output: -Draft formulation of the Outstanding Universal Value of a finite serial WH-property -Draft proposal of geographic scope of the series October 2012 31st Strategic-logistic meeting on State Party level -Presentation of expert discussion on scope of a potential finite serial property -Presentation of expert discussion on identification of potential areas (component parts) -Constitution of a “European Steering Group” (proposal for lead country) 2nd quarter 2013 42nd Transnational expert meeting Expected output: -Feedback from strategic-logistic meeting to expert meeting -Revised Draft formulation of OUV of a finite serial property -Expert discussion on potential nomination areas (component parts) October 2013 52nd Strategic-logistic meeting on State Party level Presentation of findings from the expert meeting in October 2013 and further analysis -Discussion on potential nomination areas (component parts) -Discussion on joint management issues 1st Quarter 2014 63rd Transnational expert meeting Expected output: -Final Draft formulation of OUV of a finite serial property -Final expert discussion on potential nomination areas (component parts) April 2014 73rd Strategic-logistic meeting on State Party level -Final decision on participating State Parties and nomination areas (component parts) -Final decision on "lead country" -Discussion on joint management -Decision on the further strategic-logistic process 3rd Quarter 2014