Bulgarka Nature Park

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Bulgarka Nature Park
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Bulgarka2.JPG
Bulgarka Nature Park
Location Gabrovo Province, Stara Zagora Province, Veliko Tarnovo Province, Bulgaria
Nearest city Gabrovo
Area 22,000 hectares
Established August 9, 2002
Governing body Bulgarka Natural Park

The Bulgarka Natural Park (Bulgarian, Природен Парк Българка) is a Bulgarian nature park on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), occupying 22,000 hectares of territory in the central and eastern part of the mountains between the cities of Gabrovo and Kazanluk.[1]

Located between the steep topography of the Central Balkan and the significantly lower and sloping eastern part of Stara Planina, the region is characterized by significant diversity in terrain. This supports a rich diversity in flora and fauna. Further, due to the area's position in a section of the Balkans that served as a crossroads for the region for centuries, the park is home to many historic sites.[2]

The area’s historical and biological significance lead to the establishment of the Bulgarka Natural Park on August 9, 2002.[3]

Fauna

In terms of zoology, the park is in the Balkan region of European fauna.[4][5][better source needed]

Many wild animals, such as the Eurasian wolf, fox, the golden jackal, Eurasian brown bear, wild boar, red deer, roe deer, hare, eastern hedgehog, squirrel, badger, mink and others inhabit the forested lands of the Bulgarka Park. Birds include the golden eagle, the common kestrel, rock dove, great spotted woodpecker, black woodpecker, green woodpecker, cuckoo, common buzzard, owl, white wagtail, turtledove, jay, magpie, raven, hooded crow, blackbird, starling, nightingale, oriole, great tit and others.[6][7][better source needed][8][better source needed]

Reptiles native to the park lands include three species of snakes as well as lizards and others. Amphibians include several frogs, salamander; invertebrates include snails, tritons and many kinds of insects. Fish include trout, black fish, and others.[9][10][better source needed]

Flora

File:Bulgarka7.JPG
Forest fruits (Daphne mezereum) in Bulgarka Nature Park

Forests cover about 80.2% of the park area, or 17,461 hectares. Varieties of beech constitute the largest portion of the forest, at 65%. Other deciduous trees include oaks, water locust, birch hornbeam, linden, elm, acacia, aspen, maple, ash, wild cherry, holly, rowan, birch and others. Coniferous trees found in the park include white and black pine, spruce, fir, white fir and others. Gymnosperm plants covers about 0.6 ha.

This botanical uniqueness — which occurs only in this part of Bulgaria and has includes special combinations of beech, yew, and laurel — makes the park a significant conservation habitat. In Bulgarka Park, designated areas are established to promote greater habitat conservation.[11][12][13][better source needed]

Nearly 70% of the officially recognized medicinal plants in Bulgaria may be found in Bulgarka Park.[14][15][better source needed]

At least 360 plant species including 31 species listed as threatened or endangered, may be found in the park. This includes yew, wild ticket silivryak gesneriaceae, mountain maple, Bulgarian types of orchids, medicinal tweeter, mountain onion cytisus, mountain vetch astragalus, among other. However, as one of the youngest nature parks in Bulgaria, a full classification of all the types of flora and fauna is yet to come.[16][17][better source needed][18][better source needed]

Cultural heritage

Sites of cultural heritage inside Bulgarka Park include the Shipka Pass, the location of the Battle of Shipka Pass which was pivotal in gaining Bulgarian independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Shipka Memorial commemorates the battle.

Also in the park are the Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex, the Sokolski Monastery and Dryanovo Monastery.[19][20][21]

The park is home to the Uzana area, a large mountain meadow high in the Balkans which is a popular winter resort. Uzana has been home to winter sports since the 1930s and has 15 hotels, which provide recreational opportunities year-round.[22]

Gallery

  • Bulgarka1.JPG

    Bulgarka Nature Park - view from peak Bulgarka

  • Forest in Bulgarka Nature Park

  • Bulgarka3.JPG

    The "Shouting rock" in Bulgarka Nature Park

  • Bulgarka4.JPG

    Forest spring in Bulgarka Nature Park

  • Bulgarka5.JPG

    Mushroom in Bulgarka Nature Park

  • Bulgarka6.JPG

    Forest flower in Bulgarka Nature Park

  • Bulgarka7.JPG

    Forest fruits (Daphne mezereum) in Bulgarka Nature Park

  • Bulgarka8.JPG

    Centuries-old tree (beech-tree (Fagus)) in Bulgarka Nature Park

  • Bulgarka9.JPG

    The roots of the centuries-old beech tree in Bulgarka Nature Park

See also

External links

References

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