Eastern Rhodopes Mountains, Haskovo Province, Bulgaria
The Rhodopes Mountains are a mountain range in south east Europe. They are spread over 5689 square miles of which 4723 square miles are located in south Bulgaria and the remainder in north Greece.
The Rhodopes Mountains are about 149 miles long and about 62 to 75 miles wide with an average altitude of 2575 feet. Golyam Perelik is its highest peak at 7188 feet and is situated 12 miles to the west of Smolyan. In geomorphological terms, the Rhodopes Mountains are part of the Rilo-Rhodope massif which is the oldest landmass on the Balkan peninsula.
The Rhodopes Mountains gives its name to the terrestrial eco-region Rodope montane mixed forests that belong in the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome. The area is particularly notable for the largest coniferous woods in the Balkans plus its karst areas with their deep river gorges, large caves and specific sculptured forms such as the Trigrad Gorge.
The Rhodopes Mountains can be sub-divided in to 3 sections:
The Western Rhodopes are spread over 66% of the area of the Rhodopes Mountains in Bulgaria and they are higher, the most infrastructurally developed and the most visited part of the mountains. The highest and best known peaks are located in this section with more than 10 over 6562 feet high including the highest peak, Golyam Perelik (7188 feet). Some of the deepest river gorges in the Rhodopes Mountains are located in the west as well as several large lakes.
The Eastern Rhodopes are spread over a territory of about 34% of the area of the Rhodopes Mountains in Bulgaria and are much lower in height. The large artificial dams of Kardzhali and Studen Kladenets are located in this part of the mountains. Almost every species of European bird of prey nests in the Eastern Rhodopes including the rare Black Vulture and Egyptian Vulture.
The Southern Rhodopes are the part of the mountain range that is located in Greece and they are characterized by numerous peaks of relatively low altitude.
The River Krumovitsa is located in the eastern Rhodopes Mountains and flows through deep canyons and open valleys. It has a strongly fluctuating water level, typically very high in February to March and almost none in July to August except in isolated pools. In the middle section of the River Krumovitsa around Gorna Kula and Dolna Kula, the river valley in this region is between 330 and 1095 yards wide and in places it is occupied entirely by the sandy riverbed itself. Vegetation along the riverbank is dominated by alder, willow, poplar, dog rose and tamarisk. Dry grassland, scrub and broad-leaved forests cover the neighbouring hills and ridges. The forests are dominated by oak, hornbeam and various Mediterranean tree species whilst juniper is predominant in the scrub areas.
Land use includes extensive rearing of sheep and cattle, hunting and forestry but the area is becoming progressively depopulated due to local emigration.
In 1997 the area was designated as Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. It supports around 135 bird species of which 64 are species of European conservation concern and 2 of them are globally threatened. However, in spite of this, the area is not protected by any national nature conservation legislation.
The area is of conservation concern for a number of reasons. Rural depopulation has led to a decrease in available food resources (livestock carrion) for vultures. Poaching and use of poison against wolves directly affects raptors and especially vultures. Uncontrolled hunting and fishing are further threats. Forest habitats are threatened by burning and natural fires, afforestation with non-indigenous species as well as illegal cutting of trees especially along the rivers. Reduction in grazing and conversion of pastures to arable lands cause loss of grassland habitats for birds. Direct threats to birds are also caused by intensive tourism and recreation activities such as rock climbing, gliding and hang-gliding and by the taking of chicks and eggs from nests. Existing electrical power lines are dangerous for raptors, especially for young birds, and one of the potential threats both to the habitats and to the birds is the development of wind turbine farms.
Date: 27th May 2018
Location: River Krumovitsa valley between Gorna Kula and Dolna Kula, Eastern Rhodopes Mountains, Haskovo Province, Bulgaria
The Rhodopes Mountains are about 149 miles long and about 62 to 75 miles wide with an average altitude of 2575 feet. Golyam Perelik is its highest peak at 7188 feet and is situated 12 miles to the west of Smolyan. In geomorphological terms, the Rhodopes Mountains are part of the Rilo-Rhodope massif which is the oldest landmass on the Balkan peninsula.
The Rhodopes Mountains gives its name to the terrestrial eco-region Rodope montane mixed forests that belong in the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome. The area is particularly notable for the largest coniferous woods in the Balkans plus its karst areas with their deep river gorges, large caves and specific sculptured forms such as the Trigrad Gorge.
The Rhodopes Mountains can be sub-divided in to 3 sections:
The Western Rhodopes are spread over 66% of the area of the Rhodopes Mountains in Bulgaria and they are higher, the most infrastructurally developed and the most visited part of the mountains. The highest and best known peaks are located in this section with more than 10 over 6562 feet high including the highest peak, Golyam Perelik (7188 feet). Some of the deepest river gorges in the Rhodopes Mountains are located in the west as well as several large lakes.
The Eastern Rhodopes are spread over a territory of about 34% of the area of the Rhodopes Mountains in Bulgaria and are much lower in height. The large artificial dams of Kardzhali and Studen Kladenets are located in this part of the mountains. Almost every species of European bird of prey nests in the Eastern Rhodopes including the rare Black Vulture and Egyptian Vulture.
The Southern Rhodopes are the part of the mountain range that is located in Greece and they are characterized by numerous peaks of relatively low altitude.
The River Krumovitsa is located in the eastern Rhodopes Mountains and flows through deep canyons and open valleys. It has a strongly fluctuating water level, typically very high in February to March and almost none in July to August except in isolated pools. In the middle section of the River Krumovitsa around Gorna Kula and Dolna Kula, the river valley in this region is between 330 and 1095 yards wide and in places it is occupied entirely by the sandy riverbed itself. Vegetation along the riverbank is dominated by alder, willow, poplar, dog rose and tamarisk. Dry grassland, scrub and broad-leaved forests cover the neighbouring hills and ridges. The forests are dominated by oak, hornbeam and various Mediterranean tree species whilst juniper is predominant in the scrub areas.
Land use includes extensive rearing of sheep and cattle, hunting and forestry but the area is becoming progressively depopulated due to local emigration.
In 1997 the area was designated as Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. It supports around 135 bird species of which 64 are species of European conservation concern and 2 of them are globally threatened. However, in spite of this, the area is not protected by any national nature conservation legislation.
The area is of conservation concern for a number of reasons. Rural depopulation has led to a decrease in available food resources (livestock carrion) for vultures. Poaching and use of poison against wolves directly affects raptors and especially vultures. Uncontrolled hunting and fishing are further threats. Forest habitats are threatened by burning and natural fires, afforestation with non-indigenous species as well as illegal cutting of trees especially along the rivers. Reduction in grazing and conversion of pastures to arable lands cause loss of grassland habitats for birds. Direct threats to birds are also caused by intensive tourism and recreation activities such as rock climbing, gliding and hang-gliding and by the taking of chicks and eggs from nests. Existing electrical power lines are dangerous for raptors, especially for young birds, and one of the potential threats both to the habitats and to the birds is the development of wind turbine farms.
Date: 27th May 2018
Location: River Krumovitsa valley between Gorna Kula and Dolna Kula, Eastern Rhodopes Mountains, Haskovo Province, Bulgaria
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Also in: Bulgaria
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