Transcript Biosphere reserve Sreburna

Aquatic Biosphere Reserve
Sreburna
The program “Man and Biosphere”
The program “Man and the Biosphere”
Is launched in 1970 in order to protect
the nature. It changed through the
years and today it is a set of related
research projects with three focuses:
Minimizing the loss of biological
diversity;
Making people aware of how cultural
diversity and biological diversity
affect each other;
Promoting environmental
sustainability through the world
network of reserves;
Bulgaria joined this program in 1977
with the announcement of 17 biosphere
reserves.
BULGARIAN AQUATIC BIOSPHERE RESERVES
Ropotamo is biosphere reserve located
about 50 km south from Burgas in a
region of great diversity including a
great variety of biotopes. In the
reserve there are many interesting
and unique natural spots - the firth of
the river Ropotamo, the Arkutino
marsh, the dense forests, various rock
formations, wetlands, ponds….
Biosphere reserve Kamchia is
located in the lower part of the
river Kamchia created in 1951 to
protect the largest old riparian
forest in Bulgaria.
The dense forest is created by
more than 40 spiecies of trees.
There are about 200 species of
birds from which 56 are written in
the Red Book of Bulgaria.
Srebarna Nature Reserve
Srebarna is well-kept reserve
located near the village
Sreburna, 16 km west of
Silistra and 2 km south of
Dunav. It includes Sreburna
Lake and its surroundings. It`s
located on the main migration
route of migratory birds
between Europe and Africa,
called "Via Pontica". The area
was declared as a reserve
in 1948 and has guarded area of
600 hectares and buffer
zone of about 540 hectares.
FlORA
In the lake and around there are reeds and
other water plants. Plant communities from reed
occupies about 2/3 of the area of reserve. You
could find here 139 species of vascular plants, 11 of
which are rare or endangered outside of Srebarna.
The second distribution plant species is the lesser
bulrush (Typha angustifolia) followed by common
bulrush (Typha latifolia). Gray willow(Salix cinerea)
and purple willow (Salix purpurea) are also
widespread.
Nymphaeaceae (water lily) is a family of flowering
plants. They live in freshwater areas in temperate and
tropical climates around the world. The family contains
eight genera. There are about 70 species of water lilies
around the world.
Nymphaeaceae alba is a protected species in Bulgaria. It
disappeared in many of the areas it used to be spread.
The Nymphaeaceae are aquatic herbs with large
rounded leaves and beautiful flowers. They are rooted
in soil in bodies of water, with leaves and flowers
floating on the water surface.
Nuphar lutea ( yellow water-lily), is an
aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeaceae.
It grows in eutrophic freshwater beds,
with its roots fixed into the ground and its
leaves floating on the water's surface.
Aldrovanda is the only aquatic carnivorous plant
with visible trap movement. Although it is
distributed throughout a vast territory it grows in
limited areas and is rarely observed in the wild as
it has very specific requirements regarding its
environment. For this reason, it is regarded as a
critically endangered species of national flora in
countries where it is naturally found.
Unfortunately, in many countries that plant is now
extinct. Aldrovanda is spread mainly through the
movement of waterfowl – plants sticking to the
feet of a bird are transported to the next aquatic
destination on the bird's route. As a result,
most Aldrovanda populations are located along the
migratory routes.
Fauna
The animal world in the reserve is very diverse. There
are 41 kinds of mammals, 11 reptiles and 10 amphibians
and 24 fish species.The reserve is best known with
birds which can be observed on its territory. 221
species of birds nesting in the Srebarna reserve.
Pelophylax kl. esculentus (the Edible Frog) is a name
for a common European frog, also known as the common
water frog or green frog. It s the fertile hybrid of the
Pool Frog (Pelophylax lessonae) and the Marsh Frog
(Pelophylax ridibundus)
Pelecanus crispus (The Dalmatian Pelican) is
a member of the pelican family. This is he largest
of the pelicans and the world's heaviest flying
species. It starts to breed in late March or April,
sometimes solitarily but usually in dense colonies
of up to 250 pairs. Breeding colonies are located
on lakes, deltas and estuaries, preferably within
reed beds. Dalmatian Pelicans eat only fish and
feed alone or in groups. This species is classified
by IUCN as globally threatened in the category
Vulnerable.
Pelecanus onocrotalus (The Great White Pelican)
are large birds well adapted for aquatic life. More
than 50% of White Pelicans breed in the Danube
Delta in Romania.
This pelican migrates short distances, wintering in
northeast Africa. White Pelican's diet consists
mainly of fish. Today, because of overfishing in
certain areas, the pelicans are forced to fly long
distances to find food.
Ecological problems
Although it has a wide international reputation, Srebarna reserve has very
serious environmental problems, whose solution is urgent.
• Disruption of hydrological regimes and habitat degradation in breeding and
wintering areas.
•Contamination by heavy metals and pesticides
•Disturbance, nest destruction and shooting
•Climatic changes
Conservation efforts.
•Burning the reedbed and fencing the reserve as measures against predators,
mainly wild boars and jackals;
•Public awareness programme with permanent TV display;
•Educational and public awareness materials involving the media to create a
positive attitude towards the species;
•Updating the Act, protecting the species by increasing the fine National
Wetlands Plan including priority actions for the conservation of the most
important wetlands in Bulgaria ;
•Preparation of a management plan for Srébarna Nature Reserve with the
support of the Ramsar Convention;
Thank you!
This project has been funded with support from
the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only of the
author, and the Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be made of
the information contained therein.