Central Balkan (409)
Bulgaria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Tsentralen balkan
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.7172, Longitude: 24.9672
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 373 to 2376
Area of KBA (km2): 1666.52117
Protected area coverage (%): 98.05
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The northern and southern slopes of the highest, central part of the Stara Planina mountains. The limestone karst topography is outstanding, with ancient forests, pastures, subalpine scrub and grasslands. Deciduous forests (up to 250 years old) of Carpinus, Quercus, Ostrya and Fagus occur in the higher parts of the area, mixed with Pinus and with Abies. Coniferous forests are dominated by Picea and Pinus, and subalpine scrub by Juniperus and Vaccinium. Human activities (outside the strict reserves) include tourism, and cattle-grazing in the high mountain grasslands.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: This IBA is important for its alpine-restricted species, including two subspecies that are endemic to the Balkans (Prunella collaris subalpinum and Eremophila alpestris balcanica), and for its large numbers of a wide variety of other breeding species, especially raptors such as Aquila heliaca, A. chrysaetos and Falco cherrug. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Circaetus gallicus (1-2 pairs), Aquila pomarina (1 pair), Dendrocopos medius (7-8 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (43%) | forestry (20%) | tourism/recreation (72%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 41 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | 5 | |
| Grassland | 23 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 1 | |
| Shrubland | 19 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Currently there are no serious problems in the area, although the new Protected Area Law may change the status of some protected areas. The IBA is designated as a National Park, and incorporates nine strict reserves and four Biosphere Reserves. There is a management plan for the area, prepared by the Ministry of Environment under the Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Programme.