Madzharovo (425)
Bulgaria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Madzharovo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.6375, Longitude: 25.9020
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 133 to 641
Area of KBA (km2): 35.49415
Protected area coverage (%): 99.84
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An ancient volcano, cut by the gorge of the Arda river. The shingle and sand riverbanks are covered by Salix trees, bushes and other vegetation. There are scattered forests of Quercus and Mediterranean trees (Juniperus, Colutea) on the rocky mountain slopes. Jasminum and Paliurus are predominant in the sclerophyllous shrubland. Land-uses are the extensive rearing of cattle, sheep and goats, forestry and mining. The area is becoming depopulated due to ongoing rural emigration.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: The site is one of the most important sites in Bulgaria for breeding Ciconia nigra and Otus scops. It also supports the only breeding colony of Gyps fulvus in Bulgaria. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (common non-breeding resident). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Neophron percnopterus (3 pairs), Circaetus gallicus (1 pair), Bubo bubo (3 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (25%) | forestry (45%) | hunting (70%) | tourism/recreation (50%) | urban/industrial/transport (1%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 17 | |
| Grassland | 3 | |
| Forest | 45 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Mining drives away vultures and other large cliff-nesting birds, through open-air and underground explosions, drilling activities, and the disposal of waste material. In addition, rural depopulation has led to a decrease in available food (livestock carrion) for vultures in the region. Only a very small area of the IBA has been protected. A BSPB project for the eastern Rhodopi mountains (of which this area is a part) is ongoing under the Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Programme.