Estado: Pazardzhik, PlovdivÁrea: 1117,55 ха
Propiedad: state - 46%; municipality - 30%; private - 24%;
Descripción:
The site includes the Maritsa River in its part from the village of Govedare and the town of Stamboliski to the rowing canal of Plovdiv, together with the riverine tree and shrub vegetation, mainly willow Salix spp., Alder Alnus spp. and poplar Populus spp..
Aves:
The islands and sand strips in the river, as well as the tree and shrub vegetation along its banks, are an important night roost for the globally threatened Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus. This is the biggest roost of the species along the Maritsa River and whole the Upper Thracian Plain. The birds, which overnight there, spend the days in the wetlands along River and the Upper Thracian Plain. In winter Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus also concentrates there.
Amenazas:
The area of Maritsa-Plovdiv is situated close to the second big city in Bulgaria – Plovdiv. It is influenced by the high pressure of the continuing urbanization of the area, as well as intensive human activities. The area is also sensitive to the human activities related mainly to water management, sand and gravel extraction activities, as well as forestry. Cutting of trees and shrubs along Maritsa River for reason of prevention of floods, afforestation with non-indigenous species, as well as expansion of the sand and gravel extraction cause deterioration and even loss of valuable habitats for the roosting of birds, in particular the Pygmy Cormorant. It together with the illegal cutting of threes causes further erosion of the riverbanks. Due to extraction activities some of the naturally originated islands in Maritsa disappeared and stop to provide shelter for the water birds. The recreation and the tourism around the area are rather intensive and the projects for further development of sport facilities are going to damage significant parts of the area. Illegal waste deposits are spread through the whole area, particularly along the roads. Because of the easy access of the area there is high disturbance to birds caused by illegal hunting on protected species, illegal net fishing, as well as intentional direct disturbance to Pygmy cormorant in its roosting sites.
La protección legal:
The area is not protected by the national nature conservation law. Part of the area, where the roost of the Pygmy Cormorant is situated, is under procedure of designation as protected area. In 2005 it was designated also as Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
