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Background
Due to progressive degradation of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa L.) forests in Europe and in the Balkan peninsula in particular, ensuring ecologically coherent network of territories which preserve the species in favorable conservation conditions across its natural range has long been recognized. In Bulgaria, the habitat of European conservation concern “Forests of Castanea sativa” (Directive 92/43/EEC) comprises stands with total area of 3315 ha. Altogether 2560 ha have been included in six NATURA 2000 protected zones: Belasitza; Kresna-Ilindentzi; Osogovska planina; Sreden Pirin – Alibotush; Zapadna Stara Planina i Predbalkan and Ograzhden-Malashevo. Protected zone Belasitsa incorporate 2085 ha out of 2560 ha totally protected, thus enhancing the habitat favorable conservation status in the site is of primary importance for its conservation on country’s scale.
The poor health condition of sweet chestnut forests in Belasitsa mountain has been acknowledged for quite a long time; nevertheless, no alternative approaches in their management have been performed yet. For certain period (last decades of 20th century) the species was set under strict protection. For the last 10−15 years sanitation cuttings have been merely executed. However, neither approach has contributed to improvement of the species’ state in the mountain.
The project № BG 0031 – EEA FM "State and prospects of the Castanea sativa population in Belasitsa mountain: climate change adaptation, maintenance of biodiversity and sustainable ecosystem management" is aiming at the following main deliverables:
(i) Elaboration of the favorable conservation status of the habitat of European conservation concern № 9260 (Forests of Castanea sativa); (ii) Working out development scenarios of the sweet chestnut dominated ecosystems in various management approaches while taking into consideration possible climate change;
and (iii) Improving the level of competence and efficiency of the local administration (local subdivisions of the Ministry of Environment and Water, and the State Forest Agency) in managing the targeted chestnut dominated ecosystems. |
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