Area: 125677,58 ха
Ownership: state - 95%; municipality - 3%; private - 2%;
Description:
The site includes the higher parts of the Western Rhodopes with the most representative pseudo-boreal coniferous forests in the country, unique for Europe. To the north it reaches the towns of Velingrad, Rakitovo, Batak and Peshtera. Its territory includes three big dams – Dospat, Shiroka Polyana and Golyam Beglik. The biggest share of forests belonging to the Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris, followed by Spruce Picea abies. Smaller territories are occupied by Fir Abies alba, as well as of Beech Fagus sylvatica. At some places there are forests of Austrian Pine Pinus nigra and coppice forests of Quercus dalechampii. About 10% of the area is covered by open grasslands – pastures and meadows with domination of Agrostis capillaris, Nardus stricta, etc., as well as with shrubs. Its territory includes three big dams – Dospat, Shiroka Polyana and Golyam Beglik, as well as hundreds of peat bogs.
Birds:
The region of Western Rhodopes supports 130 bird species, mainly breeding ones, 21 of which are listed in the Red Data Book for Bulgaria (1985). Of the birds occurring there 43 species are of European conservation concern (SPEC) (BirdLife International, 2004), 15 of them being listed in category SPEC 2 and 28 in SPEC 3 as species threatened in Europe. The area provides suitable habitats for 26 species, included in Annex 2 of the Biodiversity Act, which need special conservation measures, of which 23 are listed also in Annex I of the Birds Directive. The Western Rhodopes hold the biggest breeding population of the Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus in Bulgaria. It is among the most valuable areas in the country on the level of European Union for this species, as well as for the Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia, the Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum, the Tengmalm`s Owl Aegolius funereus, European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, the Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius, White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos and the Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus. The area is also important on a European scale for the European Robin Erithacus rubecula, the Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, the Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus, the Common Blackbird Turdus merula, the Goldcrest Regulus regulus and the Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla.
Threats:
The region of Western Rhodopes borders to the north with densely populated areas and district centres. There are a lot of villages and small towns around the area. The forest habitats are highly affected by the intensive forestry and overexploitation of forest resources out of the protected areas, as well as by illegal cutting on all its territory. This decrease the quality of forest ecosystems, disturb the natural water regime of the whole region, as well as erosion and sliding processes. The existing reservoirs water catchment facilities also contribute to the disturbed water regime. The investment plans for building of many micro water power stations along the river streams will further increase the negative impact on the overall water balance in the Western Rhodopes. Intentional burning of forests for the purposes of wood trade is also registered in the region. Removal of old semi dead threes and those with halls limits the possibilities for woodpeckers and owls to find proper breeding grounds and food. The development of ski tourism is the most serious threat to the both forest and subalpine habitats. Big investment project for building of ski complex and supporting facilities in the area of Syutkya will cause big scale damage of forest habitats. Construction activities related to the development of tourist infrastructure cause deterioration and destruction of valuable habitats in the easy accessible areas. Such a process is started already in the region of Dospat reservoir. The natural succession of the forest in the high mountain meadows have negative impact on breeding birds there and on the birds of prey, which use the area for hunting. Direct threats to birds are caused by poaching (taking chicks and eggs from the nests, shooting of raptors and owls, using of traps), rock climbing and off road traffic of motor vehicles, etc.
Legal protection:
About 11% of the territory of Western Rhodopes is under legal protection. There are 31 protected areas here – 4 reserves of which 3 are biosphere reserves, one maintained reserve, 22 protected areas and 4 nature monuments. The Doupkata, Kupena and Mantaritsa Reserves are designated to protect the rare and endangered animal species and typical for the region forest ecosystems. They are recognized under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme. Beglika Reserve is designated for protection of pseud-boreal spruce forests. In 1998 about 96% of the area was appointed as CORINE Sites because of its European value for habitats, rare and threatened plant and animal species, including birds. In 2005 the territory was designated as IBA by BirdLife International.
