Estado: Pleven, Veliko TarnovoÁrea: 5440,98 ха
Propiedad: state - 53%; municipality - 5%; private - 42%;
Descripción:
The site is located in northern Bulgaria, south of the Danube and the Belene island group, between the towns of Belene and Svishtov. To the north it borders on the Danube, to the south on the Svishtov – Belene road and railway, to the east on the industrial zone of Svishtov and to the west its limit passes north-west of the village of Dekov. It is a huge Danubian lowland, periodically flooded by the Danube in the past, when it formed a natural complex of wetlands with rich flora and fauna. At present it is turned into farmland with semi-natural grass vegetation, shrubs and isolated groups of trees and wind-belts, cut by a network of drainage canals. Its south-western part is occupied by the Kaykusha marsh.
Aves:
The Svishtov–Belene lowland is an important intermediate station point for the flocks of geese, mostly White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons and Red-breasted Geese Branta ruficollis, on their way to their permanent wintering grounds. The birds stay in the region for about a month, feeding mainly in the agricultural plots. Kaykusha marsh supports a breeding population of the globally threatened Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus. The area supports 32 bird species, 4 of which are listed in the Red Data Book for Bulgaria (1985). Of the birds occurring there 16 species are of European conservation concern (SPEC) (BirdLife International, 2004), 2 of them being listed in category SPEC 1 as globally threatened, 4 in SPEC 2 and 10 in SPEC 3 as species threatened in Europe. The area provides suitable habitats for 13 species, included in Annex 2 of the Biodiversity Act, which need special conservation measures, of which 10 are listed also in Annex I of the Birds Directive.
Amenazas:
The Svishtov–Belene lowland is situated close to a densely populated town with developed industrial area – the town of Svishtov. It is influenced by the high pressure of the continuing urbanization of the area, as well as intensive human activities. Illegal waste deposits are spread through the whole area, particularly along the roads. Amongst the most serious impacts related to agriculture is conversion of the crop arable land into urban or other type of land, as well as the large-scale use of pesticides and fertilizers. The change of the land use will cause complete loss of the suitable habitat for the wintering geese. The big investment project on a national scale is going to take place on the north borders of the area – the construction of the second Bulgarian Nuclear Power Station “Belene”. It is expected that the building activities there will cause deterioration of the habitats and disturbance to birds if they are carried out during the winter period. The small wetland, situated in the south-west part of the lowland is almost overgrown with reedbeds and the eutrophycation process going on rapidly. To prevent further deterioration and loss of habitats urgent restoration measures are needed there.
La protección legal:
65% of the territory of Svistov-Belene lowland is included in the “Persina” Nature Park, designated in 2000 for protection of remarkable ecosystemsq which are typical for the Danube River. The “Kaikusha” Marsh is designated as protected area in 1978 for protection of rare plant species and waterbirds, as well as typical for the region lanscape. In 2005 it was designated also as Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
