Data Zone
Country/territory: Bulgaria
IBA criteria met: A3, B2, B3, C6 (2005)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 23,496 hectares (234.96 km2)
Site description (2000 baseline)
An area in the southern part of Kresna gorge, along the Struma river, where the slopes are steep and rocky, and covered in Mediterranean forest and shrubland. The forests are dominated by Juniperus exelsa (100-200 years old), Juniperus oxycedrus, Phyllirea and other Mediterranean tree species (Pyrus, Pistacia, Jasminum, etc.). There are also secondary Quercus forests, alluvial forests (Platanus, Celtis, Tamarix), and some forestry plantations of Pinus. Human activities are forbidden in the strict nature reserve. Grazing, mainly of goats, is allowed in the buffer zone, and forests are used for forestry and cattle-grazing.
Key biodiversity
The site is important for its assemblage of Mediterranean-restricted species.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kresna Gorge (Bulgaria). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kresna-gorge-iba-bulgaria on 23/12/2024.