Strandzha (434)
Bulgaria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Strandzha
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.0725, Longitude: 27.6478
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 691
Area of KBA (km2): 1154.09984
Protected area coverage (%): 98.83
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A rather low mountain in the south-easternmost part of the country, through which the Veleka and Resovska rivers flow. The mountain is covered by mature broadleaved forests and pastures. Natural forest of Fagus predominates, although Quercus is common in higher areas. Mediterranean grassland and shrubland are widespread. Alluvial forests occur mainly at the river-mouths and are dominated by Fraxinus, with dense Salix and Alnus. Temporarily flooded areas along the rivers are overgrown with aquatic vegetation. Land-uses are forestry, hunting and extensive cultivation and stock-rearing.
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 is one of the most important breeding areas in the country for Ciconia nigra, for raptors such as Neophron percnopterus, Circaetus gallicus, Aquila pomarina, Aquila chrysaetos, Hieraaetus pennatus and Bubo bubo, and for forest species such as Picus canus, Dendrocopos medius and Ficedula semitorquata. The mountain is also a major migratory bottleneck site, where more than 33,000 Ciconia ciconia pass overhead each autumn. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Phalacrocorax pygmeus (common on passage), Pelecanus crispus (common on passage), Crex crex (occurs on passage).
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (22%) | fisheries/aquaculture (1%) | forestry (57%) | hunting (60%) | tourism/recreation (1%) | urban/industrial/transport (3%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | 1 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 1 | |
| Shrubland | 8 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 21 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 1 | |
| Forest | 56 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Intensive tourism along the Black Sea coast during the past seven years has led to destruction of alluvial forests. There are several projects for the construction of reservoirs on the Veleka river, possibly disturbing the water regime. People often destroy nests of raptors, their eggs and chicks when cutting trees. Uncontrolled hunting and fisheries, and unsustainable forest management, are also problems. The IBA is designated as a National Park, comprising five Strict Reserves with Buffer Zones, 12 Protected Landscapes and five Nature Monuments. The management plan for the National Park was prepared by the Ministry of Environment under the Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Programme.