2007, 2011, 2017/ Ref: 1133ter
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Germany, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Ukraine

Criterion

CRITERION (ix) The serial nomination “Ancient Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe” 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. In addition to the “Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Ancient Beech Forests of Germany”, the newly nominated beech forests in 77 component parts in 12 countries will enhance the existing World Heritage property to give an overall and comprehensive picture of the European postglacial development process of beech forest. With this extension, all glacial refuge areas and genotypes of beech are covered. The basic line of arguments in the nomination of the existing property remains mainly unchanged.

Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe

This transboundary property is indispensable to understand the ongoing history and evolution of the species Fagus sylvatica which, given its wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and its ecological importance, is globally significant. These best-preserved, complex temperate forests exhibit the most complete and comprehensive ecological patterns and processes of pure and mixed stands of European beech across a variety of environmental conditions, such as climatic and geological conditions, throughout all relevant European Beech Forest Regions.

They comprise all altitudinal zones from the coast up to the tree line in the mountains and, furthermore, include the best remaining examples of the outer boundaries of the beech forest range in Europe. Beech is one of the most important elements of forests in the Temperate Broadleaf Forest Biome and represents an outstanding example of the re-colonization and development of terrestrial ecosystems and communities since the last Ice Age. The continuing northern and westward expansion of beech from its original glacial refuge areas to the eastern and southern parts of Europe can be tracked along natural corridors spanning the continent. Both past and present patterns of distribution represent natural evolutionary strategies for adapting to the environmental changes. The dominance of beech across extensive areas of Europe is a living testimony of the tree’s genetic adaptability.

The „Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and other Regions of Europe“ are a serial transboundary property comprising in total 77 component parts, covering over 92 000 ha, and stretches over 12 countries.

Romania includes 12 component parts which together cover one of the largest area of the property, over 23,000 ha, located in eight protected natural areas: Izvoarele Nerei, Cheile Nerei-Beușniţa, Domogled-Valea Cernei (Caraș Severin), Masivul Cozia, Lotrișor (Vâlcea), Codrul secular Șinca (Brașov), Codrul secular Slătioara (Suceava), Groșii Ţibleșului and Strâmbu Băiuţ (Maramureș).

Romania has the world’s largest area of European beech forests (Fagus syvatica) and the Carpathians are home of the best-preserved forests from the entire distribution range of the species. These constitute a true living treasure from the scientific, educational, environmental and of the biodiversity point of view.