Pakistan - Ziarat Juniper Forest

The Ziarat area is home to the largest area of juniper forest (juniperus excelsa polycarpus) in Pakistan, covering about 110 000 ha., and is believed to be the second largest of its kind in the world. The junipers of Ziarat are among the oldest living trees in the world. Although no dendrological study has yet been conducted, according to one estimate mature trees are often thousands of years old. Local people refer to the trees as „living fossils‟ and this remarkable longevity allows research into past weather conditions in the region, making the species of special significance for climate change and ecological studies.