conserving important plant areas: investing - Plantlife

KOEN DE RIJCK WWF/DCP
Section III: Important Plant Area country reports – national overview of IPAs
Pirin IPA, Bulgaria
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Bulgaria is situated in the north-eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula and covers an
area of 110 990 km 2 . Her northern boundary is the Danube and Romania; to the east,
the Black Sea; to the west, Macedonia (FYR) and Serbia; and to the south Greece and
Turkey.The altitude range is from sea level to 2,925m, the height of Musala peak on
Rila Mountain, which is the highest summit on the Balkan Peninsula.Two thirds of
Bulgarian territory is mountainous and forested, with 200 peaks higher than 2000m.
The fauna and flora of Bulgaria is of special interest due to its intermediate
(transitional) character between the Central European and the Mediterranean
biogegraphic zones.The flora is especially rich with an incredible 3900 vascular plants,
6000 species of fungi, and 6000 algae.This includes a considerable number of
(mountain) endemics and limited range species. Nearly 190 of Bulgarian’s vascular
plants are tertiary and glacial relicts; there are 174 endemic plant species, 100
subspecies, and over 300 Balkan endemics within her territory, the genera Centaurea,
Cyanus, Dianthus,Thymus , Sedum,Verbascum and Viola, are amongst those rich in
endemics.The same levels of diversity exist within vegetation and habitat types; 89
(38.4%) of the 232 European habitats of conservation importance are present in
Bulgaria. Broadleaf deciduous forests dominated by oak (seven species), and beech
(three species), are the largest major habitat type in Bulgaria, followed by Picea and
Pinus dominated coniferous forests and then grassland habitats.There are well
preserved sand dune habitats along the Black Sea coast.
Bulgaria became a member of the European Union in January 2007, and is a member
of the Council of Europe.
CONSERVING IMPORTANT PLANT AREAS: INVESTING IN THE GREEN GOLD OF SOUTH EAST EUROPE