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The Bieszczady Mountains’ beech forests on the UNESCO World Heritage list

29.07.2021

On 28 July this year, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, at its 44th Session held on 16 – 31 July 2021 in Fuzhou, China, decided to establish the new World Natural Heritage Site in Poland. The site covers a part of beech forests of the Bieszczadzki National Part of the strictly protected area of nearly 3300 ha, which accounts for approx. 11% of the total Park area. The beech forests are located on the northern slopes of the Polonina Wetlinska and Smerek, in the Border Ridge and Gorna Solinka valley as well as in the Terebowiec and Wolosatka stream valleys. The National Park border forms the buffer zone for the site.

Lasy Bieszczad

The decision of the World Heritage Committee was made in effect of subsequent serial nomination “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe” submitted in 2019 by 10 states, including Poland. In result, the inclusion is the success of Poland and five European states-parties (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, France, Northern Macedonia and Switzerland). The extension adds 15 new protected components to the network, including four parts of beech forest from the Bieszczadzki National Park.

The “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe” is a transnational multi-component property composed of 94 components in 18 countries. These form a unique example of relatively well preserved beech forests of the temperate zone and display a wide range of structural patterns and ecological processes taking place in pure and mixed stands of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica) in different environmental conditions. The site areas are well documented by the scientists by means of paleoecological analysis and with the use of the latest methods of genetic coding.

These forests contain a priceless population of old trees and act as a genetic reserve of beech and many other species associated with old tree stands.

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