• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2000 baseline)
A dam in a rocky gorge of the Arda river, east of the town of Kardjali. The numerous rocky cliffs and banks are covered by sub-Mediterranean vegetation, mainly forests of Quercus with Carpinus, Fraxinus and Mediterranean tree species. Juniperus, Jasminum and Paliurus are predominant in the sclerophyllous shrubland. Dichantium and Poa predominate in the grasslands. Human activities include hunting, forestry, fishing, and extensive rearing of sheep and cattle.

Key biodiversity
The site is important for its assemblage of Mediterranean-restricted species, and for its high numbers of breeding Ciconia nigra, Neophron percnopterus (the best site in Bulgaria) and Bubo bubo. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (1-2 pairs), Falco naumanni (3-5 pairs). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Circaetus gallicus (1-3 pairs), Aquila pomarina, Hieraaetus pennatus (1 pair).

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Studen Kladenets (Bulgaria). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/studen-kladenets-iba-bulgaria on 23/12/2024.