Estado: Stara ZagoraÁrea: 1284,1 ха
Propiedad: state - 59%; municipality - 8%; private - 33%;
Descripción:
A water reservoir, located between the villages of Galabovo and Obruchishte in the Sokolitsa river valley, at the spot where it joins the Sazliika River. It is surrounded by low hills (100–130 m high) and by settlements with a huge industrial centre - on the east and west. There is a smaller water reservoir to the north of the reservoir wall, at about 1 km from it. Because of the existing natural connection, the area also includes a part of the shallow valley of the Sazliika River. The reservoir consists mainly of open water without fringe vegetation. The reservoir north of the wall has a fluctuating water level and most often looks like a dry area with a mosaic of dispersed small pools. There are also piles of inert materials deposited there. The reservoir waters are used to cool down the nearby heating plant and because of this they keep a comparatively constant temperature in winter, usually higher than the ambient. At certain places on the banks there are artificial plantations of Austrian Pine Pinus nigra and Acacia Robinia pseudoacacia. The Sazliika river valley is overgrown with typical riverine vegetation of willow Salix spp., poplar Populus spp. and shrubs.
Aves:
The Rozov Kladenets reservoir and its adjacent territories are significant stopover and wintering site for water birds, because it never freezes during the winter. It supports 142 bird species, 34 of which are listed in the Red Data Book for Bulgaria (1985). Of the birds occurring there 62 species are of European conservation concern (SPEC) (BirdLife International, 2004), 5 of them being listed in category SPEC 1 as globally threatened, 15 in SPEC 2 and 42 in SPEC 3 as species threatened in Europe. The area provides suitable habitat for 43 species, included in Annex 2 of the Biodiversity Act, which need special conservation measures, of which 38 are listed also in Annex I of the Birds Directive. The region is of international importance for wintering Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus and Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Although in smaller numbers, the globally threatened Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus and Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca also occur there in winter. One more globally threatened species occurs in the region of the reservoir on migration – the Corncrake Crex crex.
Amenazas:
The area is situated close to a town and industrial complex where intensive human activities take place. Access to the area is unrestricted. The area is sensitive to human activities, which cause disturbance to birds, especially when boats enter the reservoir before sunrise, when the birds are roosting on the water. The other problem is illegal hunting of protected species, outside the hunting season and with illegal means. The industrial complex has a negative impact on the area as it causes pollution.
La protección legal:
The area was proposed to be designated as protected area in 1997 because of its importance for birds, but it has not been put under legal protection to date. In 1998 the area was appointed as CORINE Site because of its European value for birds. In 1997 the area was designated as Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
