SUBJECT: Research needs in Bulgaria
AUTHOR: Ana Petrova
DATE: 17th February

SUMMARY: The author reviews biodiversity in Bulgaria, looks at the need for proper implementation of environmental legislation monitoring and better communication between stakeholders involved in biodiversity conservation.

Despite its relatively small area, Bulgaria is characterized by considerably high habitat and species richness. About 3,900 vascular plant species, 694 mosses, and more than 6,500 non-vascular plants and fungi can be found in Bulgaria. Almost 12% of them are endemics. About 30%of the country’s area is covered by forests of which 67% are of native origin. With its 29,000 animal species Bulgaria is one of the richest countries in Europe - 94 mammals, 405 birds, 36 reptiles, 16 amphibians, 207 marine and fresh-water fish, about 27,000 invertebrates. About 8.8% of all non-insect and 4.3% of insect species are endemics. Sixteen bird species from the IUCN list occur in Bulgaria. Thirty six of thirty eight raptor species described in Europe occur in Bulgaria. The country is one of Europe’s most important habitats of the bear, the wolf and the Balkan chamois. Almost all main habitats and biotopes existing in Europe can be found in the Bulgarian marine, coastal, inland water and wetland ecosystems; forest ecosystems; mountain (pasture) and lowland (grass) ecosystems; agroecosystems.

In the course of harmonization with EU legislation, Bulgaria has adopted a number of laws (Law for Protected Territories, Law for Environmental Protection, Biodiversity Law, etc.) and ratified most of the relevant international conventions. Bulgaria already has a well-developed network of protected areas that covers more than 4.6% of its territory. However, implementation of environmental legislation, together with the need for increased administrative capacity and the cost of alignment, remains a major challenge. Some progress in the integration of the environment into other policies has been made in areas such as agriculture and transport, but generally the use of sustainable development approaches remains limited in other areas of economic interest. For effective and long-term biodiversity protection, Bulgaria should concentrate resources into elaborating mechanisms to monitor effective implementation of the environmental legislation.

The change in land-ownership and land use poses threats to biodiversity. Abandoned arable land may quickly be conquered by invasive species that further invade adjacent natural and semi natural habitats. Ploughing of mezophytic meadows that have long been used as pastures may cause loss of species of conservation concern. Uncontrolled wood cutting may cause deterioration of old natural forests.

The existing well-developed network of protected territories in the country requires timely elaboration and implementation of effective plans for their management. In this respect there is a demand for more and better qualified local administrators.
Despite the recent good progress in raising awareness on environmental issues, the transition to market economy has led to severe poverty of the local people in the country, especially in mountain regions. This poses a serious barrier to effective, long-term biodiversity protection.
The scientific research on the biodiversity in the country does not meet closely the needs of the stakeholders and policy-makers. This requires establishment of effective means for discussions between scientists, end-users of scientific products and funding organizations.

A contribution by:

Ana Petrova
Institute of Botany, BAS
23, Acad. G. Bonchev Street
1113 Sofia
Bulgaria