State: Razgrad, RuseArea: 27871,77 ха
Ownership: state - 48%; municipality - 19%; private - 33%;
Description:
Lomovete is a complex of canyons deeply cut into the plain by the meanders of the Russenski Lom and its tributaries – Cherni, Malki (Svalenishki) and Beli Lom. It is located in the north-western part of the Ludogorie, 20 km south-east of the town of Ruse, between the villages of Ivanovo, Pepelina, Krivnja and Svalenik. The vertical cliffs of the canyons, at places 100 m high, are quite typical for Lomovete. The rocks are interspersed with niches and crevices. Other major habitats in the region are the forest ones, with prevailing mixed coppice forests of Quercus robur, Quercus dalechampii, Quercus pubescens and Carpinus orientalis, sometimes mixed with Fraxinus ornus. The mixed forests of Tilia tomentosa and Carpinus betulus or Q. cerris and rich undergrowth are also well represented. Widely spreads are the secondary forests and shrubs of Oriental Hornbeam, Paliurus spina-christi, Siringa vulgaris, etc. Artificial plantations of Acacia Robinia pseudoacacia and Austrian Pine Pinus nigra also occur. At many places in the valley there are preserved mesophile meadow associations and xerothermal grasslands of Dichantium ischaemum, Poa bulbosa, etc. (Bondev 1991; Georgiev 1993). The riverbanks are overgrown with different willow species Salix spp., Black Poplar Populus nigra and White Poplar Populus alba. Along the valley, mainly around the settlements, there are agricultural plots too.
Birds:
The region of Lomovete supports 149 bird species, 37 of which are listed in the Red Data Book for Bulgaria (1985). Of the birds occurring there 59 species are of European conservation concern (SPEC) (BirdLife International, 2004), 3 of them being listed in category SPEC 1 as globally threatened, 17 in SPEC 2 and 39 in SPEC 3 as species threatened in Europe. The area provides suitable habitats for 48 species, included in Annex 2 of the Biodiversity Act, which need special conservation measures, of which 44 are listed also in Annex I of the Birds Directive. Lomovete holds the biggest breeding population in the country of the Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea. It is one of the most important sites in the country also for the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, the Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus and the Black Kite Milvus migrans. The Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus, the Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina, the Eagle Owl Bubo bubo, the Roller Coracias garrulus, the Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus, the Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris and the Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria breed there in considerable numbers. One globally threatened species, almost extinct from the country, still breeds in the region – the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni. The Valley of Russenski Lom River is the most western part of the Via Pontica migration route, which is used mainly by raptors. It is one of the main corridors where migrating Lesser Spotted Eagle enter Bulgaria on its way to the south.
Threats:
Lomovete are surrounded by arable land and are partly isolated from other areas, which hold similar habitats. Because of the settlements situated close to the area, as well as historical monuments in it, there is an easy access to certain parts of the area. The area is sensitive to human activities which cause disturbance to birds, especially to those which nest on the rocks – rock climbing, gliding, hang-gliding, illegal treasure hunting, tourism activities during the breeding season. Hunting activities and poaching also cause disturbance to birds. Cutting activities in the forests degrade the forest habitats and disturb the birds during the breeding season. Fires, continuing urbanization and turning the grasslands to arable lands are the main reason for fragmentation and loss of valuable habitats. Nevertheless that part of the area is under protection and has management plan the activities mentioned above are threats to the area because of lack of capacity of implementing body to control them.
Legal protection:
About 16% of the area is protected by national nature conservation law. The “Russenski Lom” Nature Park was designated in 1970 to protect an unique plain river gorge, as well as the threatened plant and animal species. The “Beli Lom” Reserve was designated in 1980 to protect the representative forest ecosystem, as well as plants and animals typical to them. From the other four protected areas established in the region only one – “Ribarnitzite” is designated to protect the Ruddy Shelduck, and the rest are designated to protect the rocky formations. In 1998 part of the region is appointed as CORINE Site “Lomovete” because of its European value for habitats, rare and threatened plant and animal species, including birds. The CORINE Site overlaps significantly (80%) with the proposed SPAs. In 1989 the area is appointed as Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
