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Worldwide, national parks are generally designated to preserve representative natural features, wildlife and habitats of the country. Their designation is intended to preserve natural processes generally free from human manipulation. Parks are refuges for many rare plants and animals of national and global significance. In Bulgarian national parks, unique samples of natural habitats and elements of ecosystems are preserved within reserves. These strictly protected areas are often buffered by additional territory of the national parks. The Central Balkan National Park lies in the heart of Bulgaria, nestled in the central and higher portions of the Balkan Range. The Park contains rare and endangered wildlife species and communities, self-regulating ecosystems of biological diversity, as well as historical sites of global cultural and scientific significance.
Park Statistics
Ecosystems There are 166 known species of medicinal plants, law protects 12 of which. In addition, there are 229 species of moss, 256 species of mushrooms, and 208 species of algae. The central portion of the Balkan Range is home to 70% of all invertebrate organisms and 62% of all vertebrate animals in Bulgaria. There are 224 separate species of birds, making the Central Balkan National Park an important, international bird refuge. The EU-funded CORINE BIOTOPS Project created a habitat classification methodology and 49 of the CORINE classified types of habitats are represented in the Central Balkan National Park. Of these, 24 are included on the List of Endangered Habitats, requiring special protection measures pursuant to the EU Convention on Habitats. Terrain
There are nine Reserves within the Central Balkan National Park: Boatin, Tsarichina, Kozya Stena, Steneto, Severen Djendem, Peeshti Skali, Sokolna, Djendema and Stara Reka. The Kumanitsa and Suhata Reka River canyons provide a safe haven to mammalian species such as bear, red deer, roe, Balkan chamois, and otter. Djendema (Hell) Reserve was established on March 28, 1953. It too is included in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program. Djendema encompasses 4,220.2 hectares, and is the largest Reserve in the Balkan Range and the second largest Reserve in Bulgaria. It is centered on a granite extrusion near Botev Peak, combined with limestone outcroppings to form steep slopes; deep, narrow gorges; massive rock cliffs; and huge waterfalls. The tallest waterfall in Bulgaria, Raiskoto Praskalo (Paradise Gusher) is directly below Botev Peak. Djendema Reserve shelters beech and fir forests and large meadows with unique sub-alpine grassy species and communities. Because of its specific geological and climatic conditions, the area is rich in endemic species and rare plants. It is an active source of new wildlife species. The Singing Rocks themselves are a set of unique natural formations that crown the ancient beech forest. Other tree species include the common fir, sycamore (common and alpine), mountain ash, manna-ash, and hornbeam. The high mountain meadows are dotted with cranberries and bilberries, juniper, gentian, campanula, and a variety of aromatic, flowering grasses. The Reserve offers sanctuary to the following animal species listed in the Bulgarian Red Data Book: bear, weasel, chamois, golden eagle, and black and white-backed woodpecker. Red deer, roe, wild cat, wild boar, and a range of predatory birds can also be found on the Reserve. The forests are mostly beech, oak, hornbeam, flowering ash, and sycamore. There are remarkable concentrations of savin juniper and lilac. Vertebrate species include chamois, bears, owls, black and white-backed woodpeckers, golden eagles, hunting and peregrine falcons, large and small hawks, and kestrel. Rila National Park, the largest national park in Bulgaria, is located about 100 km. south of Sofia, in the central and highest regions of the Rila Mountains. The Park contains rare and endangered wildlife species and communities, self-regulating ecosystems of biological diversity, as well as historic sites of global cultural and scientific significance. Some of the largest rivers in the Balkan Peninsula originate here. The name Rila is derived from the Thracian word roula, meaning ‘lots of water.’ The Park was established on February 24, 1992 to conserve the natural heritage of the Rila Mountains as well as the local traditions, culture, and livelihoods linked with the area. The National Park Directorate, a regional body reporting to the Ministry of Environment and Waters, manages the Park. The Directorate engages local organizations and volunteers to pursue its goals.
Park Statistics
Protected Area Rila National Park is one of the largest and most valuable protected areas in Europe—listed as Category 2 by the World Conservation Union . The Park and all four of its nature reserves are on the UN List of Representative Protected Areas. The Parangalitsa Reserve and the former Marichini Ezera Reserve (now incorporated in the territory of Central Rila Reserve) are part of the World Biospheric Reserves Network under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program. Central Rila is the largest nature reserve in Bulgaria and covers a total area of 12,393.7 hectares. Parangalitsa, designated in 1933, is one of the oldest Bulgarian nature reserves. Ecosystems Most of Rila National Park is covered in thick forests—primarily spruce, white fir, and Macedonian pine. The higher plant species identified thus far, within the park, constitute 38.35% of the higher flora of Bulgaria. There are:
Of the 141 species of medicinal plants, 20 are listed in the Red Data Book, while 8 are protected under the Environmental Protection Act. In addition, Rila National Park is home to 282 species of moss, 233 species of mushrooms (11.6% of all identified in Bulgaria), and 130 species of freshwater algae. This part of Rila Mountain is home to 2,934 invertebrate and 172 vertebrate species of the Bulgarian fauna. There are 99 species of nesting birds (30% of all known in Bulgaria), of which all but 5 are protected. Many of the vertebrate species within the Park are protected:
Of the invertebrate fauna, 41 organisms are included in world or European lists of endangered species. Pirin National Park GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION In the Pirin mountains, south-west Bulgaria, south of Razlog and Bansko, between the valleys of the rivers Strouma and Mesta. 41°40'N, 22°50'E DATE AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT In 1963, Vikhren National Park (6,212ha) was established in the northern part of the Pirin mountains under Decree No. 3074 of 6 November 1962 of the Committee of Forestry and Forestry Management. In 1976, it was enlarged to 27,000ha and renamed Pirin National Park (Decree No. 1036 of 3 March 1976, Ministry of Forestry). The park was extended again in 1987 to its present size (Decree No. 1036 of 17 November, Committee of Environmental Protection at the Council of Ministers. Baevi Doubki Natural Reserve was established in 1934, extended in 1976 and renamed Baevi Doupki-Djindjiritza Reserve in 1979. It lies within Pirin National Park and was internationally recognised as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1977. Pirin National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983. AREA 40,060ha, includes Baevi Doupki-Djindjiritza Reserve (2,873ha) and Malka Djindjeritsa and Segmen Tepe Reserve (339ha). LAND TENURE State owned ALTITUDE 1,000m to 2,915m (Vikhren)
PHYSICAL FEATURES The mountains are mostly composed of granites and slates; local areas of limestone lie between the summits of Vikhren and Kaminitza, as well as in the central part of Pirin. The high mountain peaks and crags of Pirin are the remains of an old Miocene peneplain. The mountain ridges are generally of early Pliocene age but in some localities between 1,200m-1,600m are of old Pliocene age. The denudation of the area occurred more widely during the Quaternary period when the snow cover descended to 2,200m-2,300m. Limestone rocks, marble, south Bulgarian granites etc., karst formations, and typical glacial features (over 70 glacial lakes, deep valleys, cirques, crags etc.) arepresent. Pirin Mountain stretches from north-west to south-east between the valleys of the Rivers Strouma and Mesta. There are many rivers and waterfalls. CLIMATE Winter in the upper parts is cold and long with snow cover remaining for five to eight months. Summer is cool and short. The town of Sandanski situated in the Pirin foothill at 190m, has a mean January temperature of 2.4°C while the temperature at higher altitudes drop well below -10°C. Mean annual temperature at lower altitudes is 14°C and less than 2°C at higher levels. Rainfall varies from 550-60mm at low altitude to 1100mm or more at higher altitudes. VEGETATION The presence of limestone rocks, the southerly position of the range and close proximity to the Aegean, coupled with its relative isolation, have made Pirin Mountain an important refuge. Forests in the park are mainly coniferous with endemic Macedonian pine Pinus peuce being widespread and forming the treeline in the granite part of the mountain. Endemic Bossnian pine Pinus heldreichii occurs in the highest zone of the karst area. Unique stands of Pinus peuce and P. leucodermis, up to 250-300 years old and 30-45m high, are found in Baiouvi Doupki-Djindjiritsa Reserve. Some individual P. leucodermis trees are over 500 years old. Silver fir Abies alba, Austrian pine Pinus nigra, spruce Picea abies, Scots pine Pinus silvestris, and beech Fagus sylvatica form a mixed coniferous forest type. Generally, the treeline has developed as a result of man's interference over a long period and descends as low as 2,000m, but in some places reaches 2,200m-2,300m. In the subalpine zone there are thickets of dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo and Juniperus sibirica. Above 2,400m-2,600m is a layer of alpine meadows, stony slopes, screes, rocks etc. The flora of Pirin, comprising as it does many rare species, is of great interest and beauty. One of the most active flora speciations in Bulgaria is situated in the limestone part of the mountain. Pirin has a mixture of central European, Alpine, Balkan mountain and Sub-Mediterranean species, but in addition there are (about 30 local endemic species). There are about 70 Bulgarian endemic species, over 10% of vascular plants of Pirin are Balkan endemics, and about 20% of all plant species in the Bulgarian Red Data Book are found in the park. Forests cover more than half the area of the mountain and comprise all coniferous species of Bulgaria, as well as many deciduous. The white and black furs are an example, the Baykusheva fur being the oldest known tree. It is around 1, 300 years old, 16 m high and has a circumference of 5.72 m. All trees more than 280 years of age have been declared natural phenomena. Plants characteristic of the height above 2, 000 m. are: pine-scrub, Siberian juniper, heath-berry, the spotted gentian, etc. At greater heights, Pyrin poppy, edelweiss and willow can be found. The Pirin National Park was included in the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List at the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Committee session of 1983 in Florence, Italy |
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