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

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

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

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

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

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

13. 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%

15. 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

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

19. 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
bird species
37 of conservation importance
61 mammal species
11 species of amphibians and 16 of reptiles

20. Biodiversity
WSP is included in Natura 2000 network

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

23. 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

26. 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

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

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