Extension to the Joint World Heritage Property "Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians (Slovak Republic and Ukraine) and Ancient Beech Forest of Germany”

Description

"The future nomination, which is subject of this Tentative List entry, represents an extension to the World Heritage property “Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany” (Germany, Slovakia, Ukraine, WHC ref-no 1133bis). This property was inscribed by the World Heritage Committee first in 2007 as “Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians” (Slovakia and Ukraine) and extended in 2011 by the component parts “Ancient Beech Forests of Germany” (Germany) to the present serial transnational site. The future nomination (its name will be decided at a later stage of the process) is of serial, transnational character and consists of components 33 components parts in 12 State Parties. The component parts represent an outstanding example of undisturbed, complex temperate forests, its postglacial expansion process and exhibit the most complete and comprehensive ecological patterns and processes of pure and mixed stands of European Beech across a variety of environmental conditions. They contain an invaluable genetic reservoir of Beech and many species associated and dependent on these forest habitats.

Name(s) of the component part(s)

1.c       Name(s) of the national component part(s):

Forest reserve “Virgin Forest Krokar”
Forest reserve “Snežnik – Ždrocle”

1.d       State, Province or Region:

Forest reserve “Virgin Forest Krokar”: Slovenia, Municipality Kočevje
Forest reserve “Snežnik – Ždrocle”: Slovenia, Municipality Ilirska Bistrica and Municipality Loška dolina.

1.e       Latitude and Longitude, or Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates:

Forest reserve “Virgin Forest Krokar”: north 45° 32' 29", east 14° 46' 9"
Forest reserve “Snežnik – Ždrocle”: Slovenia: north 45° 35' 22", east 14° 26' 41"

Description of the component part(s)

Forest Reserve Virgin Forest Krokar

The proposed area Forest Reserve “Virgin Forest Krokar” is located in the northern part of the Dinaric mountain range, in the south-eastern part of the mountain Borovška gora near the town Kočevje in southern Slovenia. The Virgin Forest Krokar is part of the broader Kočevska region, where the percentage of forest cover is higher than 75%. Fir-Beech and Beech forests are typical of this forested area, making up more than 65% of the forests. It is assumed that this area was an important glacial refuge, from where the Beech spread across Europe again.  The reserve is situated between 840-1,170 m asl. The reserve includes the peaks Krokar (1,122 m) and Cerk (1,192 m). In between these peaks lies the karst plateau, which comprises several deep sinkholes. Steep slopes are found in the eastern and southern parts of the reserve. The reserve area comprises 74.49 ha.

The location of the Krokar Forest Reserve lies at the intersection of dinaric, predinaric, subpanonian and submediterranean phitogeographical regions. The climate is montane dinaric with annual precipitation of over 1,500 mm and an average annual temperature of 7 °C. The bedrock material is Jurassic limestone and Jurassic dolomite and the soil types are eutric cambisols and rendzic leptosols.

The forests of the Virgin Forest Krokar can be described as transitional between Pre-Dinaric mountain Beech forest and Dinaric Fir-Beech forest and are dominated by Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir (Abies alba Mill.). The phytocoenoses of the forest reserve can be classified into five associations: Omphalodo-Fagetum, Arunco-Fagetum, Lamio orvalae-Fagetum, Stellario montanae-Fagetum and Allio victorialis-Fagetum. The prevailing tree species are beech (87%), fir (9%), and maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L., 4%). The growing stock in 2004 was 649 m³/ha. In the entire area of the forest reserve the average number of all (beech and fir) dead trees per hectare was 125 and dead biomass amounted to 150 m³/ha with a 53% share of Beech.

Forest Reserve Snežnik-Ždrocle

The proposed component part Forest Reserve Snežnik-Ždrocle in Ždrocle surrounds Mt. Snežnik (1796 m), the highest peak of a mountainous karst plateau in the Dinaric Mountains in the south of Slovenia. The reserve covers an area of 794.37 ha. The altitude ranges from 1,200 m to 1,796 m asl. Next to Snežnik’s peaks (Veliki 1,796 m, Mali 1,694 m), there is the peak Ždrocle (1,478 m). The reserve comprises several karst depressions with steep walls, which are typical for the area.

Snežnik-Ždrocle is the largest forest reserve in Slovenia. Some parts of the reserve were managed in the past, so stands with a virgin forest character form a smaller area. The forests in most of the reserve were managed extensively in the past due to its inaccessibility. Till 1900 the area in the reserve above the tree line was used for sheep pastures. Charcoal was produced, between 1903 and 1969 in the south-eastern part (Omance) and a smaller part in the northwest were exploited, as these parts included accessible large stands of spruce.

The area is influenced by Mediterranean, Atlantic and Continental climates. Due to the fact that the broader area of Snežnik forms a large orographical barrier between the Adriatic Sea and the interior of Slovenia, the southern slopes of the area have a high amount of precipitation (3,143 mm – weather station Gomance, 937 m). Snežnik’s area belongs to the rainiest parts of Slovenia, and has relatively high average temperatures (6.7°C). However for the upper part of the area (above 1,400 m asl) extreme weather conditions are characteristic with the prevailing strong north-eastern wind (bora), abundant snow precipitation and consequently short vegetation period.  Short and fresh summers and long but not too cold winters characterise the area.

The Forest Reserve Snežnik-Ždrocle is located on Jurassic and cretaceous limestone and dolomitized limestone and their breccia. There are also the traces of glaciers, for example in the form of glacial moraines, because the area was covered with glaciers during the ice age. A large amount of rainfall in the limestone formed distinctive karst phenomena, deep valleys, steep ravines, potholes and sinkholes.

In the forest reserve Snežnik-Ždrocle the Beech is the main tree species. Mountain Beech forests (Ranunculo platanifolii-Fagetum) prevail, on the exposed positions on the highest parts they pass into subalpine Beech forests (Polysticho lonchitis-Fagetum). These forests form the timberline, above which in the strip of dwarf pine (Hyperico grisebachii-Pinetum mugo) only single trees occur such as spruce, fir, and mountain ash.  Beech forests form the timberline due to a combination of abundant precipitation and higher temperatures than would otherwise be found in the north. The top of the mountain Snežnik is covered by dinaric subalpine grassland with very diverse flora, composed of illyric and also of alpine plant species. The diverse flora is the result of specific, extreme ecologic conditions from the Pleistocen glacial era until now. At lower altitudes mountain Beech forests pass into the mountain Fir-Beech forests (Omphalodo-Fagetum). The special features of the area are deep, narrow karst hollows, in which the air remains cold. Low temperatures in these hollows are crucial for the development of the typical pine forests therein (Lonicero caeruleae Piceetum, Hacquetio epipactis -Piceetum).

Justification of Outstanding Universal Value

The “Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany” (the title of a finite European nomination will be decided at a later stage of the process) are indispensable to understanding the history and evolution of the genus Fagus, which, given its wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and its ecological importance, is globally significant. These undisturbed, 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 European Beech Forest Regions. They comprise all altitudinal zones from the coast up to the forest line in the mountains and further include the best remaining examples of the outer boundaries of the European Beech forest range. 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 after the last ice age. The continuing northern and westward expansion of Beech from its original glacial refuge areas in the eastern and southern parts of Europe can be tracked along the natural corridors and stepping stones spanning the continent. More recent changes in the distribution pattern of this species relate to direct influences of human disturbance and the more complex effects of anthropogenic climate change. Both historical and present serial patterns of distribution represent natural evolutionary strategies for adapting and surviving environmental change. The dominance by Beech across extensive areas of Europe is testament to the tree’s genetic adaptability.

Statements of authenticity and/or integrity

The selected Beech forest sites not only represents the full serial diversity found across Europe but are also of sufficient size to maintain the natural processes necessary for the long-term ecological viability of the wider ecosystem. Buffer zones including surrounding protected areas (nature parks, biosphere reserves) will be managed sympathetically to ensure the long-term conservation of the particular character of the designated Beech forest together with its inherent attributes. Other than the extent of forest area and presence of an effective buffer zone key characteristics used in the site selection process included the average age of forest stand and the period of lapse since it was last managed or actively disturbed. The evaluation criteria used in the selection process help to describe the degree of naturalness of a forest, but also provide some indication of the inherent functional capacity of the ecosystem. Finally, where appropriate, special importance was given to connectivity between Beech forests and the surrounding complementary habitats as a perceived prerequisite for ecosystem functioning and adaptation to environmental change.

Forest Reserve “Virgin Forest Krokar”:

 Forest Reserve Virgin Forest Krokar represents the large virgin forests in the less accessible areas of Borovec Mountain, which remained untouched after logging after the 2nd World War. The first proposal for its protection was made in 1962, but formal protection was first implemented with the municipality Kočevje decree in 1991. At the national level the Forest Reserve Krokar was protected in 2005 with the governmental regulation of protective forests and forests with special purpose. In the forest reserve’s area there was no logging in the past. Officially the area was excluded from management in 1961 in the forest management plan for the broader area. The forest reserve Virgin Forest Krokar was never heavily visited, and it is possible to get an impression of it from the informative naturalistic path Borovec, which runs along the edge of the forest reserve. The path is marked and equipped with information signs. The Forest Reserve Borovec, comprising 45.83 ha, was declared in the 1990s as the buffer zone for the virgin forest Krokar. The virgin forest Krokar is part of the broader forested area of Kočevska, which covers more than 90,000 ha. In the Kočevska region forest management is sustainable and close to nature. Species like brown bear, wolf, lynx, and white-backed woodpecker inhabit this forested area. Due to its well-preserved nature Kočevska is also part of Natura 2000 network according to EU Habitats and Birds Directives.

Forest Reserve Snežnik-Ždrocle :

Snežnik-Ždrocle is the largest forest reserve in Slovenia, comprising 794 ha. It lies in the heart of large karst plateau, which is entirely covered by forests. The forested area of Javornik-Snežnik is larger than 40,000 ha. Towards south it is connected to Kočevska’s forested area, and it is also connected with the forests of Gorski Kotar in the Republic of Croatia. These forests are part of the core habitat area of large carnivores: brown bear, wolf and lynx. Due to their well-preserved nature and sustainable and close-to-nature forest management, they are also the habitat of endangered species such as the Ural owl, Eurasian three-toed woodpecker, White-backed woodpecker and others. The population density of these species in the Snežnik area is the highest or among the highest in Slovenia. The area is also part of the Natura 2000 network. All the Beech forests in the forest reserve are part of the broader zone of habitat type Illyrian Fagus sylvatica forests (Aremonio-Fagion).

In the least accessible parts of the Snežnik-Ždrocle area there was no forest management in the past. In the 19th^h and the first half of the 20th century part of the area was used for charcoal production. The top of Snežnik mountain was protected in 1964 as a nature reserve due to its botanical features. The status of forest reserve with no forest management activities, allowing the development of natural processes, was declared in part of the area in 1980. In 1991, the status of strictly protected forest reserve was declared for the whole area of the Forest Reserve Snežnik-Ždrocle.

The key characteristics of the Beech forests of Snežnik-Ždrocle forest reserve are the subalpine Beech forests (Polysticho lonchitis-Fagetum). These forests cover ridges, peaks and northern slopes between 1300-1500 (1600) m asl. The authenticity of sub-alpine Beech forests is emphasized by their unique floristic composition and physiognomy. At the most exposed part the trees are bent, with low shrub growth of only 3-5 m in height, arranged in bundles and very picturesque. This is due to the extreme ecological conditions (strong north wind, low winter temperatures and lots of snow on the northern slopes, which remains there until May). Subalpine Beech forests on Snežnik form a sharp treeline passing in the dwarf pine stands and subalpine Dinaric meadows.

Justification of the selection of the component part(s) in relation to the future nomination as a whole

In the selection process of suitable primeval and ancient Beech forests in Europe, a classification system defining Beech Forest Regions (BFR) in Europe has been developed. Each BFR is characterised by its specific climatic and floristic situation and showing an individual history of postglacial Beech forest development differing in time of first Beech arrival and the different genetic ecotypes of Beech, as Beech was re-colonising Europe after the last ice-age from different refuge areas.

It is considered that a finite serial transnational European nomination will include candidates from all BFR. Therefore, the best suitable Beech forest sites in each BFR have been selected to represent the different ecotypes and postglacial development processes in a most representative way. Each component part within one BFR brings specific aspects and significantly adds additional value to the series as a whole. These specific aspects are shown in the following:

The Krokar Forest Reserve belongs to the key relict Beech forest communities in the northern part of the Illyric Beech forest Region, which belong to the origins of postglacial Beech forest distribution towards central Europe and the Carpathians. For this reason the component is an indispensable element of the final picture of the ongoing ecological process of European Beech forest distribution.

Snežnik-Ždrocle is a large glacial (Pleistocene) refuge area of the northern part of the Illyric Beech Forest Region, which belongs to the origins of postglacial Beech forest distribution towards central Europe and the Carpathians. It also covers the area of botanical and physiognomically typical subalpine Beech forests, which form the timberline. For this reason the component part is an indispensable element to understanding the on-going ecological process of postglacial Beech forest distribution in Europe.

Comparison with other similar properties

The occurrence of deciduous forests with trees from the genius Fagus is limited to the Holarctic of Earth’s northern hemisphere. They are found throughout the nemoral zones for climatic reasons and are limited to certain conditions. The genus of beech (Fagus) is a typical element of deciduous forests. It comprises of 14 species that exist under humid climate conditions in the three major Holarctic regions of deciduous forest: in the east of North America, in Europe/West Asia, and in East Asia. It’s counterpart in the southern hemisphere is the cognate Nothofagus genus (Fagaceae) native to the Neotropical, Australian and Antarctic floristic realm. Forests with Nothofagus are already represented in World Heritage Sites of Los Glaciares National Park (Argentine), Lorentz National Park (Indonesia) and Gondwana Rainforest of Australia. Forests with trees from genus Fagus are found outside of Europe in the World Heritage sites of Shirakami-Sanchi (Japan).

In Europe beech forests are represented (beside the existing site of “Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany”, which is concern of this extension) in the World Heritage site of Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia), Durmitor National Park (Montenegro) and Pirin National Park (Bulgaria). In the National Park of Plitvice Lakes, the outstanding universal value chosen is the lake-system built by travertine barriers (criterion vii, viii and x). The Dumitor National Park was nominated for the outstanding Canyon (criterion vii, viii and ix). In Pirin National Park the outstanding universal value is the natural coniferous forest and its functioning ecosystem as well as the glacial geomorphology of the region (criterion vii, viii and ix). In all three sites, beech forests are covered, but they are not core part of the nomination. The Plitvice Lakes National Park includes the Corkova uvala primeval forest, compost of beech, silver fir and spruce forest. This forest is of high scientific and natural value. The proposed new sites are more important for representation of on-going ecological processes, climatic adaptation of Fagus sylvatica and diversity of site conditions and geo-morphological characteristics of beech forest communities. They meet the sufficient size of minimum 100 ha needed to ensure integrity of the site, while Corkova Uvala primeval forest within Plitvice Lakes National Park has a size of 75 ha. Therefore, values of this primeval forest will be additionally emphasised in the future management of the existing world heritage site and presented as complementary to the Ancient Beech Forests serial site.

All in all this extension is of crucial importance for the long term conservation of European beech ecosystems. The size of the component parts as well as their spatial distribution cover a variety of environmental conditions and the genetic diversity of beech. No other already existing World Heritage Site unites these features, which makes the extension to a unique project in terms of conservation of the ancient beech forests of Europe.