Unique Landscape
July 16, 2010
In pictures: World Heritage nominees
Teide National Park
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has nominated five natural sites to be added to the UN World Heritage List.
Situated on the island of Tenerife, Teide National Park was nominated for its "mature, slow-moving and geologically complex volcanic system".
South China Karst
The diversity of South China's karst features - a unique landscape formed by water eroding limestone and marble rocks - are said to be unrivalled.
The karst towers of Libo are described as being among the finest examples of this kind of formation.
Jeju Volcanic Island
Situated off the southern shores of South Korea, the island also features a network of lava tubes.
The IUCN describes the system as the "most impressive and significant series of protected lava tube caves in the world".
Beech forests
The Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians, located in Slovakia and Ukraine, contain "an invaluable genetic resevoir".
The IUCN says: "They demonstrate the most complete ecological patterns of European beech across a variety of environmental conditions."
Madagascar rainforests
The rainforests of Atsinanana are home to a unique array of species, 80-90% of which are only found on the island nation.
Deforestation has destroyed more than 90% of the original forest. The proposed World Heritage Site would protect the remaining habitat.
