Provadiysko-Royaksko plateau (437)
Bulgaria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Provadiysko-Royaksko plato
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.1720, Longitude: 27.2745
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 13 to 420
Area of KBA (km2): 840.25063
Protected area coverage (%): 99.92
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A low, hilly area between two river valleys, with some rocky massifs. Land cover is dominated by broadleaved forests of Quercus, Carpinus and Fraxinus, cultivated land, and pastures overgrown with bushes.
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 several raptors (Neophron percnopterus, Circaetus gallicus, Buteo rufinus, Aquila chrysaetos, Bubo bubo), as well as for Dendrocopos medius and Lanius minor. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Aquila pomarina (1-2 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (47%) | forestry (50%) | hunting (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 1 | |
| Forest | 48 | |
| Shrubland | 1 | |
| Grassland | 17 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 29 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Some current problems are excessive exploitation of forests for timber, disturbance of nesting raptors by forestry activities, and illegal hunting.