An old-growth beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest is a forest that has attained great age without significant disturbance and thereby exhibits unique ecological features and might be classified as a climax community. They contain an invaluable genetic reservoir of beech and many species associated and dependent on these forest habitats.
Albania has 5 such forests that are currently included into protected areas of varying levels of protection. The project will consist in preparing 5 studies consisting in mapping and evaluation of environmental aspects as well as their biological condition for these areas and completing the necessary supporting documentation for the proclamation of these forests as ?protected areas? part of UNESCO or Wilderness Europe.