Recently I discussed what was meant by the The Great Smoky Mountains National Park being An International Biosphere. UNESCO also certified The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) as a World Heritage Site on June 12, 1983.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.
There are a total of 890 World Heritage properties across the globe; 689 are considered cultural, 176 are considered natural, and 25 are designated as mixed. The GSMNP’s designation is as a natural site by meeting the following criteria:
- to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
- to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;
- to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
- to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
The protection, management, authenticity and integrity of properties are also important considerations.
The UNESCO site says: “this exceptionally beautiful park is home to more than 3,500 plant species, including almost as many trees (130 natural species) as in all of Europe. Many endangered animal species are also found there, including what is probably the greatest variety of salamanders in the world. Since the park is relatively untouched, it gives an idea of temperate flora before the influence of humankind.”
One of the great advantages of this designation, in my eyes, is that the UNESCO keeps track of these properties to insure they are maintained; however, the Park services and other organizations due a great job on their own. The following link takes you to the UNESCO documentation on the GSMNP including the original Advisory Body Evaluation and decision of the 7th Session of the Committee (way to much to publish here) – UNESCO Documents
A lot of what is contained in these documents, and information found in my research, have lent ideas for new posts soon. I have already begun one on the “salamanders” for my two youngest son’s. These will come right after the upcoming 3 post series on the Black Bears.
