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UNESCONaturalWorldHeritage:Primeval BeechForest of the Carpathians and other regions ofEurope

E.C.O.InstitutfürÖkologie|Lakeside B07b,9020Klagenfurt|www.e-c-o.at|office@e-c-o.at

DI Michael Huber

Wilderness WorkshopPruhonice1.3. 2017

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E.C.O.Instituteof EcologyWorkinginconservation for more than 20years…

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Primevalbeechforestareendangered…

BeechforestinEuropebeforehumanintervention: 91.000.000haCurrentprimeval/ancientbeechforest: 90.000ha

…andexclusivelyinEurope

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Initiativeto preserve the lastremnants…

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UNESCOWorldNaturalHeritage

InscriptionontheWorldHeritageListunderCriterionix:

“Outstandingexamplesrepresentingsignificantongoingecologicalandbiologicalprocessesintheevolutionanddevelopmentofterrestrial,freshwater,coastalandmarineecosystemsandcommunitiesofplantsandanimals.”

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TheOUV:AEuropeannatural heritage

TheWHisa“showcaseforthepostglacialexpansionprocess,throughaseriesofsitesthatincludesomeoftheglacialrefugeareasanddemonstratethemostnaturalandundisturbeddevelopmenthistoryofEuropeanBeechForestEcosystems aspossible”.

MainobjectiveGivethebeechastypicalEuropeanforestecosystemaplatformPreservethelastremnantsofancientandprimevalpatchesofbeechforestinEuropeCreateapan-Europeannetworkofknowledge,expertiseandprotectedareas

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WorldHeritage,Beech and Wilderness?

„Oldwilderness“approachStrictly representative site selection processPreservation of natural dynamics atacontinental level

Clearly focused objective:FagusRepresentative selection process:BestsitesJointconservation effort across 12countries

Protection of natural dynamics instatic sites inastatic system ofUNESCOWorldHeritage

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Invasivespeices:RefugeareasandpostglacialexpansionpathsofEuropeanBeech

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ShortHistoryoftheprocess

2007:subscriptionofWH“PrimevalBeechForestsoftheCarpathians”2011:Subscriptionextensionby5componentpartsinGermany

UNESCOWHC:subscription&recommendation:□ FinalextensionincludingotherStateParties

2012-2014:EuropeanScreeningProcess(financedbyGermany)2014-2016:EuropeanNominationProcess(financedbyAustria)2017:EvaluationreportbyIUCNandsubscriptionbyUNESCOpending

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AEuropeanperspective:Networkofsites

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63new sites between 60and 5200ha

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Theselection process

CriteriaStandage and structureSize(100hainWesternparts,500hainEasternparts),allcomponentpartsmustshowfullspectrumofecologicaldevelopmentphasesTimeof non-interventionProtection status (equal to IUCNCat.Ior II,highly diverse)Ecological representativeness (Beech Forest regions)

TheViennaShortlist64sites suitable sites selected for nomination process

Additionalaspects during nominationCommittment of StatePartiesAppropriateness of protection status,minimum size and buffer zones

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Dealing with management issues inthe nominatedproperty

Integrationinto existing protected areas and their managements:Strict non-interventionregimeDifferentchallenges between Easternand Westernparts

Smalland strongly protected parts inthe West,largeand pristine butthreatened areas inthe East

ManagementresponsibilityEveryday management within authorities inchargeCoordinator and JointManagementCommitee for transboundarycooperation and collaborationEstablishmentof local thematic working groups for support

Invasivealien species,bark beetle,game management and firemanagement

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Conclusions and current status

There are alternativeor supporting ways to pushthe idea ofwildernessThinkbig and use opportunities (12country initiative!)

Finaldecision inJune– critical comments onbehalfof IUCN- dangerof breaking apartOpportunities:

Pushcooperation and knowledge exchange between EasternandWesternprotected areas ataEuropeanlevelIf successful would be amajor pushfor Europeanperception of wild(wilderness)areas and aninitiativesupporting wilderness promotion inEuropeImproving management standards and good practices amongst sites andjoint responsiblity for sites

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Miniadvertisement

Jointinitiativewith IUCNWCPAEuropePractical short-termtrainings with participant casestudiesLocal interpretation of IUCNguidelines

Module1:Governance of Protected AreasinaEuropeancontextModule2:Effective financial management ofprotected areas

18.7. – 29.7.2017 in Klagenfurt Austria

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2017:Thelaststeps