Protected zones – "Chervenata Stena" Biosphere park

PROTECTED ZONES IN THE TERRITORY OF CHERVENATA STENA BIOSPHERE PARK

The territory of Chervenata Stena Biosphere Park comprises parts of seven protected areas of the European Natura 2000 ecological network:

Protected zones declared under the Bird Directive

BG0002015 Yazovir Konush -The protected zone was announced with Ordinance No.РД-367/16.06.2008 of the Minister of Environment and Water with a total area of 376.77 decares.
The Konush dam is located next to the village of the same name, 15 km northeast of the town of Assenovgrad. The Yazovir Konush protected area is a relatively small area but concentrates extremely high biodiversity. The zone falls entirely in the municipality of Assenovgrad – within the borders of Cherevenata Stena Biosphere Park. During the different periods of the year, 114 species of birds were found in the Konush dam, of which 21 species were included in the Red Book of Bulgaria (1985). Out of the occurring species, 42 are of European Nature Conservation Significance (SPEC) (BirdLife International, 2004). 3 species are enlisted as globally threatened in the SPEC1 category and as endangered in Europe respectively in SPEC2 category – 9 species, in SPEC3 – 31 species. Yazovir Konush is a place of international significance for the migratory Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus), regularly occurring during migration and in winter. Individual pairs of small cormorants remain here until late in the spring, which is why they are likely to remain nesting if they are not disturbed and persecuted. Other two globally threatened species are also found in the dam – Ferruginous Duck /Aythya nyroca/ during migration and Dalmatian Pelican /Pelecanus crispus/ in the winter. Here is one of the country’s largest colonies of Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticoraḥ), mixed with Little Egret /Egretta garzetta/. Yazovir Konush is one of the most important places in the country of importance to the European Union for the conservation of those two species.Approximately 10% of the territory of the protected zone – the mouth of Konush dam is declared as protected site “Ayazmoto”.
BG0002073 DobrostanThe protected zone was announced with Ordinance No.РД-528/26.05.2010 of the Minister of Environment and Water with a total area of 836,15520 decares.The area of Assenovgrad municipality, which is located within the protected zone, is 25387.99 ha.It is precisely this area that borders directly with the core zone of the biosphere park (the existing Chervenata Stena Reserve) and is a natural buffer zone of the core zone, which is why it is designated as a buffer zone of the park.There are 149 species of birds in Dobrostan, 28 of which are included in the Red Book of Bulgaria (1985).Out of the occurring species, 60 are of European Nature Conservation Significance (SPEC) (BirdLife International, 2004). Four species are threatened in the SPEC1 category, while in SPEC2 category – 21 species are enlisted as endangered in Europe, in SPEC3 – 35 species. The site provides suitable habitats for 46 species included in Appendix 2 of the Biodiversity Act, for which special protection measures are required. Of these, 37 are also listed in Annex I of EU Directive 79/409. Dobrostan is the place in Bulgaria where it is believed to still breeds the largest population of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), which is threatened with extinction in the world. It is of global importance as a representative region for the Mediterranean Biom. Five bio-restricted species, typical of this biome, are found in Dobrostan – rock partridge/Alectoris graeca/, black-headed bunting /Emberiza melanocephala/, western rock nuthatch /Sitta neumayer/ and subalpine warbler /Sylvia cantillans/. The region is of world importance also for the Imperial Eagle / Aquila heliaca /. In the high parts of the mountain there are species typical of coniferous forests such as the hazel /Bonasa bonasia/, the western capercaillie /Tetrao urogallus/ and the The white-backed woodpecker /Dendrocopos leucotos/. Dobrostan is one of the most important places in the country, significant for the European Union in regards to 12 bird species because it maintains significant breeding populations of the Egyptian Vulture /Neophron percnopterus/, the Golden eagle /Aquila chrysaetos/, Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Short-toed Eagle /Circaetus gallicus/, Peregrine Falcon /Falco peregrines/, Lesser Kestrel, Hazel, the Eurasian eagle-owl /Bubo bubo/, Nightjar /Caprimulgus europaeus/ and White-bellied Woodpecker. The area is also one of the most important in Europe for the protection of the common kestrel /Falco tinnunculus/, the Eurasian scops owl /Otus scops/ and the cirl bunting /Emberiza cirlus/. It also supports significant nesting populations of the Black Stork /Ciconia nigra/, the long-legged buzzard /Buteo rufinus/, the Little Eagle /Hieraaetus pennatus/, the black woodpecker /Drycopus martius/, the Syrian woodpecker /Dendrocopos syriacus/, the middle spotted woodpecker /Dendrocopos medius/, the woodlark /Lullula arborea/, the red-backed shrike /Lanius collurio/ and the gray woodpecker /Picus canus/.

Protected zones declared under the Habitat Directive:

Parts of five protected areas included in the list of the zones for conservation of the natural habitats and of the wild flora and fauna are within the boundaries of Chervenata Stena Biosphere Park:

BG0000194 Reka Chaya, BG0000436 Reka Mechka, BG0000437 Reka Cherkezitsa, BG0000438 Reka Chinardere, which encompass the riverside surroundings of the rivers of the same name, announced by Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 122 / 02.03.2007 and BG0001031 Rodopi – Sredni , announced by Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 661 / 16.10.2007, amended with Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 811 / 16.11.2010.

The objectives for conservation of those protected zones are:

Conservation of the area of natural habitats and habitats of species and their populations which are a subject of protection;
Preservation of the natural state of the natural habitats and habitats of species, subject of protection, including the natural species composition of these habitats, typical species and environmental conditions;
Restoration, where necessary, of the area and original state of priority natural habitats and habitats of species as well as populations of species which are a subject of protection within the zones.

Subject of protection in protected zone BG0000194 Reka Chaya are:

Natural habitats:
92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries
92D0 Southern riparian galleries and thickets

Mammals:
Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra), long-haired bed-nights (Myotis bechsteini), long-fingered bat (Myotis capaccinii), ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna)

Amphibians and reptiles:
Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), southern crested newt (Triturus karelinii)

Fish:
Italian barbel (Barbus plebejus), European bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus amarus)

Invertebrates:
Thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus), Desmoulin’s whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana), narrow-mouthed whorl snail (Vertigo angustior), stag beetle (Lucanus cervus).

Subject of protection in protected zone BG0000436 Reka Mechka are:

Natural habitats:
91M0 Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oak-sessile oak forests
91AA * Eastern white oak forests
8230 Siliceous rock with pioneer vegetation of the Sedo-Scleranthion or of the Sedo albi-Veronicion dillenii
92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries

Mammals:
Grey wolf (Canis lupus), Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra), long-fingered bat (Myotis capaccinii), greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis), Mediterranean horseshoe (Rhinolophus Euryale), greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna)

Amphibians and reptiles:
Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata), Bulgarian ratsnake (Elaphe quatuorlineata), spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), southern crested newt (Triturus karelinii)

Fish:
Italian barbel (Barbus plebejus), European bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus amarus)

Invertebrates:
Thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus), stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium), stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo), large longhorn beetle (Morimus funereus), The Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpine).

Subject of protection in protected zone BG0000437 Reka Cherkezitsa are:

Natural habitats:
92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries

Mammals:
Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra), ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna)

Amphibians and reptiles:
Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), Bulgarian ratsnake (Elaphe quatuorlineata), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), southern crested newt (Triturus karelinii)

Fish:
Italian barbel (Barbus plebejus), European bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus amarus)

Invertebrates:
Thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus), green snaketail (Ophiogomphus Cecilia), stag beetle (Lucanus cervus)

Subject of protection in protected zone BG0000438 Reka Chinardere are:

Natural habitats:
91M0 Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oak-sessile oak forests
91AA * Eastern white oak forests
91F0 Riparian mixed forest of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris)
92C0 Platanus orientalis and Liquidambar orientalis woods (Platanion orientalis)

Mammals:
Grey wolf (Canis lupus), Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra), ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna)

Fish:
Italian barbel (Barbus plebejus)

Subject of protection in protected zone BG0001031 Rodopi – Sredni are:

Natural habitats:

91E0 * Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)
3260 Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation
4060 Alpine and Boreal heaths
4090 Endemic oro-Mediterranean heaths with gorse
5130 Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands
5210 Arborescent matorral with Juniperus spp.
6110 * Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion alb
6210 * Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco Brometalia)(*important orchid sites)
6230 * Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe)
6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels
6510 Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)
6520 Mountain hay meadows
7140 Transition mires and quaking bogs
7220 * Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion)
7230 Alkaline fens
8210 Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation
8220 Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation
8230 Siliceous rock with pioneer vegetation of the Sedo-Scleranthion or of the Sedo albi-Veronicion dillenii
8310 Caves not open to the public
9110 Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests
9130 Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests
9150 Medio-European limestone beech forests of the Cephalanthero-Fagion
9170 Galio-Carpinetum oak-hornbeam forests
9180 * Tilio-Acerion forest of slopes, screes and ravines
9270 Hellenic beech forests with Abies borisii-regis
9410 Acidophilous Picea forests of the montane to alpine levels (Vaccinio-Piceetea)
9530 * (Sub-)Mediterranean pine forest with endemic black pines
62A0 Eastern sub-mediterranean dry grasslands (Scorzoneratalia villosae)
62D0 Oro-Moesian acidophilous grasslands
91AA * Eastern white oak forests
91BA Moesian silver fir forests
91CA Rhodopide and Balkan range Scots pine forests
91M0 Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oak-sessile oak forests
91W0 Moesian beech forests
91Z0 Moesian silver lime woods
92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries
92C0 Platanus orientalis and Liquidambar orientalis woods (Platanion orientalis)

Mammals:
Western barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus),*Grey wolf (Canis lupus), Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra), common bent-wing bat (Miniopterus schreibersi), Bechstein’s bat ground (Myotis bechsteini), lesser mouse-eared bat (Myotis blythii), long-fingered bat (Myotis capaccinii), Geoffroy’s bat (Myotis emarginatus), greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis), Blasius’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus blasii), Mediterranean horseshoe (Rhinolophus Euryale), greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), Mehely’s horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus mehelyi), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica), European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), *brown bear (Ursus arctos), marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna).

Amphibians and reptiles:
Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata), Bulgarian ratsnake (Elaphe quatuorlineata), leopard snake ( Elaphe situla ), spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), southern crested newt (Triturus karelinii).

Fish:
Italian barbel (Barbus plebejus), European bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus amarus), golden spined loach (Sabanejewia aurata).

Invertebrates:
Thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus), stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium), Paracaloptenus caloptenoides, marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia ), Callimorpha quadripunctaria, Maculinea nausithous, stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo), large longhorn beetle (Morimus funereus), The Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpine).

Plants:
Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), * Dactylorhiza (Dactylorhiza kalopissii).