Mammal Survey Eastern Rhodopes Bulgaria - De Zoogdiervereniging

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREAThe Eastern Rhodope Mountains are a part of the largest mountain region in Bulgaria, the Rhodopes.The Rhodopes are located in southern Bulgaria. The total area surface is about 14 000 square kilometres.The two parts of the mountain area, the Eastern and the Western Rhodope Mountains, differgreatly. There are wide contrasts in the geological history of the massif, which affect the vegetationcover, plant and animal diversity and human activities. The workshop concentrated exclusively on theEastern Rhodope Mountain area.The Eastern Rhodope region is an area of over 6000 square kilometres, situated near the borders withGreece and Turkey (see map 1). The average height of the mountains is about 300 metres above sealevel. The mountains consist partially of volcanic sediments, covered by forests, lakes and rocks. Theriver Arda has made a deep gorge in the landscape. The Eastern Rhodopes are said to be one of therichest regions of Bulgaria in terms of biodiversity, caused by the combined influence of both theMediterranean and the Continental climate. Therefore, winters are mild, but summers are very hot anddry. Extensive land use created a very interesting mosaic of habitats.The rare richness of the Eastern Rhodopes flora and fauna proves the unique value of the area —more than 1900 higher plant species occur in the Estern Rhodopes, of which 25 species are endemicto Bulgaria. In the area 270 species of birds are found, of which 170 species actually breed in theregion. Furthermore 59 known mammal species occur in the area, such as the Otter, the Souslik andthe Mouse-like Dormouse. Finally, numerous species of reptiles can be found in the Eastern RhodopeMountains.The Eastern Rhodopes area is one of the poorest regions in Bulgaria. Economically, tobacco agricultureand mining activities are most important. Madzharovo, the town where the NICCER-building is situated,used to be a mining centre with thousands of inhabitants. Nowadays, the mines are desertedand the town consists of only 700 inhabitants. Turkish, Gypsy and Albanian communities live in thewider Madzharovo area. Examples of villages in the vicinity of Madzharovo are Borislavtsi, MalkoGradishte, Oreshets, Efrem, Selska Polyana, Strandzhevo and Senoklas.Mammal Survey Eastern Rhodope Bulgaria 13