High Nature Value farming in Western Stara Planina Koen De Rijck - for EFNCP / WWF-DCP seminar, 14-15 April 2008

Outline Western Stara Planina Introduce key characteristics Land use Agriculture Biodiversity High Nature Value farming

Western Stara Planina Total area of WSP region: about 4000 sq. km in Bulgaria and Serbia Upland and mountaineous region

Land use about 80% of WSP: forests Old-growth beech and spruce forests

Land use about 80% of WSP: forests about 20% of WSP: agricultural land 68%: meadows and pastures

Land use about 80% of WSP: forests about 20% of WSP: agricultural land 68%: meadows and pastures 27%: arable land

Land use about 80% of WSP: forests about 20% of WSP: agricultural land 68%: meadows and pastures 27%: arable land 5%: orchards abandoned farmlands: 15-42%

Land ownership over 80% of forests in state ownership ownership of agricultural land is less clear over 50% of people in WSP own land only 10% owns grasslands most meadows and pastures are in state or municipal ownership

Farm characteristics High share of semi- and subsistence farms Vegetable gardens, perennial crops Livestock rearing Sheep, goat Average farm size: 1,6 ha

Biodiversity WSP has outstanding rich biodiversity 1658 higher plant species 121 Balkan and 10 Bulgarian endemics 330 of conservation importance 77 butterflies of conservation importance 136 + 61 bird species 37 of conservation importance 61 mammal species 11 species of amphibians and 16 of reptiles

Biodiversity WSP is included in Natura 2000 network

Biodiversity WSP is included in Natura 2000 network Proposal for designation as nature park Rich biodiversity reflected in rich cultural heritage! Chiprovtsi carpets

HNVF Concept High Nature Value farmland are those areas in Europe where agriculture is a major (usually the dominant) land use and where that agriculture supports, or is associated with, either a high species and habitat diversity or the presence of species of European conservation concern, or both

HNVF Typology Type 1: Farmland with a high proportion of semi-natural vegetation Type 2: Farmland dominated by low intensity agriculture or a mosaic of semi-natural and cultivated land and small-scale features

Key features of HNVF Always low-intensity Always high proportion of semi-natural vegetation Often a mosaic of habitats

High Nature Value farming in Western Stara Planina Koen De Rijck - for EFNCP / WWF-DCP seminar, 14-15 April 2008