Rila Monastery Nature Park Management Plan - part - usaid

February 2004
2.4.2 Soil erosion
In the territory of RMNP, erosion processes are observed mostly at higher altitudes;
above 1,800-2,000 m. Surface (topsoil) erosion processes are most visible in the areas
of hydrotechnical facilities (Tiha Rila, Elevation 2000 along the Iliyna River, along
some stretches of the road to Kalin Dam, etc.). In forested areas, there is mostly plane
erosion in coniferous forests and the partly represented forests of the reconstruction
class: winter oak, beech, hornbeam, birch, alder, aspen and others, of fifth bonity and
density up to 0.5.
Terrains affected by erosion occupy an insignificant proportion, only about 1.3% of
the total area of RMNP. Forest erosion is largely under control.
Challenges as a result of human pressure appear at places of larger concentrations of
the visitor flow: along trails, around buildings and facilities (tourist-induced erosion);
as a result of economic activities: overgrazing of livestock, badly maintained forest
roads, clear cutting of forests followed by prolonged periods of regeneration; building
of hydrotechnical facilities and power lines, etc. Such processes with a considerable
degree of intensity are observed largely between the point of confluence of the Iliyna
and Rilska Rivers and the western Park boundary (the Kalin River Valley).
Rila Monastery Nature Park
Management Plan -Draft
2004 - 2013
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