Natural
Forêts primaires et anciennes de hêtres des Carpates et d’autres régions d’Europe
This natural site comprises a series of primeval and ancient beech forests distributed across the Carpathian Mountains and other regions of Europe, with Croatian territory representing one of the key geographic areas of this transnational property. These forests are characterized by old-growth beech trees that have developed with minimal human intervention, allowing them to maintain natural ecological processes and structures. The site's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage property recognizes the outstanding universal value of these ecosystems as exceptional examples of temperate forest development and biodiversity. The beech forests are distinguished by their dense canopy structure, complex understory composition, and the presence of deadwood in various stages of decomposition, which supports specialized flora and fauna. The Carpathian beech forests in particular represent a significant refuge for numerous plant and animal species adapted to European temperate forest environments. The site contributes to scientific understanding of natural forest dynamics and serves as a baseline for studying forest evolution across Europe.
