BirdLife IBA Factsheet

Country/Territory

Bulgaria

Administrative region(s)

Haskovo

Central coordinates

41^o 38' North 25^o 32' East Map

Area

15996 ha

Altitude

159 - 867m

Criteria

A3, B2, C6

Site description A dam in a rocky gorge of the Arda river, east of the town of Kardjali. The numerous rocky cliffs and banks are covered by sub-Mediterranean vegetation, mainly forests of Quercus with Carpinus, Fraxinus and Mediterranean tree species. Juniperus, Jasminum and Paliurus are predominant in the sclerophyllous shrubland. Dichantium and Poa predominate in the grasslands. Human activities include hunting, forestry, fishing, and extensive rearing of sheep and cattle.

Birds The site is important for its assemblage of Mediterranean-restricted species, and for its high numbers of breeding Ciconia nigra, Neophron percnopterus (the best site in Bulgaria) and Bubo bubo. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (1-2 pairs), Falco naumanni (3-5 pairs). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Circaetus gallicus (1-3 pairs), Aquila pomarina, Hieraaetus pennatus (1 pair).

Protection status National Low International None775 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Valchi Dol, 775 ha).

Conservation issues One problem is rural depopulation, which has led to a decrease in food resources (livestock carrion) for vultures in the region. A BSPB project for eastern Rhodopi mountains (the IBA is part of this region) is ongoing under the Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Programme.

Recommended Citation BirdLife International (2009) Important Bird Area factsheet: Studen Kladenets, Bulgaria. Downloaded from the Data Zone at http://www.birdlife.org on 30/7/2010