Kresna Gorge (414)
Bulgaria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Kresna
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.7405, Longitude: 23.1613
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 125 to 1588
Area of KBA (km2): 234.93326
Protected area coverage (%): 99.94
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area in the southern part of Kresna gorge, along the Struma river, where the slopes are steep and rocky, and covered in Mediterranean forest and shrubland. The forests are dominated by Juniperus exelsa (100-200 years old), Juniperus oxycedrus, Phyllirea and other Mediterranean tree species (Pyrus, Pistacia, Jasminum, etc.). There are also secondary Quercus forests, alluvial forests (Platanus, Celtis, Tamarix), and some forestry plantations of Pinus. Human activities are forbidden in the strict nature reserve. Grazing, mainly of goats, is allowed in the buffer zone, and forests are used for forestry and cattle-grazing.
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: The site is important for its assemblage of Mediterranean-restricted species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | forestry (30%) | not utilised (40%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 6 | |
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 2 | |
| Forest | 62 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 8 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 2 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Building activity is a potential threat. The three types of protected area cover the whole IBA.