Rila Monastery Nature Park Management Plan - part - usaid

February 2004
(a similar process has been observed along the Radovichka River). The tendency is
especially found in the upper reaches of the coniferous zone, where forest
phytocenoses were cleared away in the past. Chances for the forest vegetation to
naturally regenerate itself in such sections of the forest are slim. In recent years, the
Chamaecytisus absinthiodes has been observed to rapidly expand its range in the subalpine
zone as well. This leads to deterioration of the breeding conditions for some
birds linked to grassy terrains, including bird species of high conservation
significance, like those of the alpine biome (e.g. Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris).
Significance: high
Natural fires
Natural fires do constitute a threat to the Park; historically, there have been such
incidents in its territory. However, their concrete impact on the biological diversity
within the territory of RMNP is unknown.
Significance: insufficiently studied
Windfalls and snowslides
These phenomena are known to have affected separate sections of the Park territory,
to the tune of several hundred hectares. More substantial damage as a result of
windfalls has been recorded in the area along the upper timberline in Otchova Reka
locality, with damages to the beech forest; and in the higher portions of Bukovo
Bardo locality, where the damages affect the spruce forest. Mechanical damage as a
result of snowslides can be observed in the beech forests, in Scots pine forests (e.g. in
Radovichka Reka locality), and at places, in the spruce-cum-fir forests.
Significance: medium
Avalanches
The rapid downhill drift of substantial masses of snow destroys the vegetation both
on the path of the snowdrift and at the final place of accumulation of the snow mass.
Mechanical damage as a result of avalanches can be observed in beech forests
throughout the Park; also affected are some plots of Macedonian pine. In the Suhoto
Lake area, avalanches have destroyed a phytocenosis of young birch, formed in the
wake of previous avalanches that cleared the same area of the old vegetation. In some
cases avalanches and/or torrents may damage species of conservation significance.
For example, in 1998, avalanches destroyed the Rila rhubarb phytocenosis in Beliya
Uley locality. Avalanches have a negative impact on the habitats of some groups of
animals (e.g. beetles and other insects, which are closely attached to certain
microhabitats). They also necessitate special attention to visitor safety, especially in
the areas of Beluya Uley, Siniya Uley, at some locations in the eastern portion of the
Park: the southern slopes of Vodniya Rid and Mramorets, especially along the entire
section of road from Kirilova Polyana to Hidroto locality at Tiha Rila, and along the
tourist trails around Ribni Ezera Chalet.
Significance: medium to high (for visitors), local
Rila Monastery Nature Park
Management Plan - Draft
2004 - 2013
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