Large-scale natural forest complexes

An overview of the large-scale natural forest complexes of Saxony was created in connection with the description of the potential natural vegetation of Saxony (cf. SCHMIDT et al. 2002: 115ff). For the selection of areas mainly the criteria for forest biotope mapping were determined, according to which the current, area-related tree species composition (equivalent to at least 80 percent of the potential natural vegetation) and the age of the stocks (at least half of the rotation time) were used for the identification of rare natural forest societies. Furthermore, BfN requirements regarding the area size of large-scale natural forest complexes were to be observed (in forest-rich areas at least 100 ha, in low forest areas at least 30 ha). The data was updated in 2012 for the landscape program. Area No. 8 “Hunting Castle Weißwasser and Surroundings” was removed as it is used by the open-cast Nochten mine.