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Central Balkan Park (#)

Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party.

Bulgaria (Europe and North America)

Date of Submission: 01/10/1984
Criteria:
Category: Natural
Submission prepared by:
Commission Nationale de la R.P. de Bulgarie pour l'Unesco
Coordinates:
In the Balkan biogeographical region
Ref.: 53

Description

A representative example of the biome of mixed mountain systems zoned in a complex fashion in the Balkan biogeographical region rising to almost 2000 meters and including the ecological systems of sub-Mediterranean and sub-continental (Balkan) and boreal types. There are forest of the Pinus peuce Ostrya carpinifolia. A modern development of ecological systems, expressed principally in sub-Alpine coniferous forests in place of bushes of the Juniperus sibirica type and meadows; an initial phase of development of the second stage of Abies alba in the mid-Balkan beech forests. Modern evolution of the species forcefully expressed through a large number of neoendemic plants (about 40 species) from two centres; the limestone terrains along the entire vertical line and the silicate terrains in the sub-Alpine and high-mountain belts. The evolution is to be observed in past geological ages concerning the fauna in the Karst regions in the area. Interaction between man and nature. In times past it was mainly expressed by the extension of meadows and by the change of their basic nature, at present by the general reduction of man's pressure on forestless ecological systems, but also by the growth of tourism. Various forms of positive and negative effects of man upon forest ecological systems and upon their genetic fund are to be observed. There are unique geomorphological formations and natural scenery remarkable for their beauty; the northern rocky slopes of the Paskala Peak, the Kartala Peak, the Vezhen Peak, the Kozia Stena Peak, the Steneto Canyon, the Alpine landscapes on the southern and northern slopes of the main ridge stretching from Levski Peak to Rousalka Peak, the rock walls and chasms of Djendema and Sokolna, the unusually varied views of the river systems of Stara Reka, the Alpine nature of the group of peaks in the Triglav massive, etc.. Habitation of over 130 species of plants and animals included in the National Red Book and in the List of Rare European Species Threatened by Extinction, or in the International Red Book and scores of tertiary and glacial relict species.