HCVF process in Bulgaria
Zhivko Bogdanov, Syktyvkar April 2009
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
Development
2003-2004 the HCVF toolkit was adapted for Bulgaria
2004-2005 first field test in 3 forest areas:- First was done by independent party (Swiss-Bulgarian Forest Program)- The rest two were within the FSC certification process
2005 the toolkit was finished and distributed to the stakeholders for use
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
Development
The Toolkit include identification, management, monitoring parts
Trying to be as much simplified as possible
Deliver as many practical information as possible
Annexes for each HCVF category
Identification of HCV2 on national level
Prepared to be used at Local FMU level
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
Implementation
Introducing the Toolkit in the National FSC FM Standards
Using of the Toolkit by FSC Certification Bodies
Wide national recognition: ENGOs, UNDP, WB, State Forest Administration
Lobby to be part of the legislative provisions
Using as base for FM Planning
Already implemented in about 20 FMUs
Base for mapping of Biodiversity Important Forests of BirdLife project in Bulgaria and Romania (HCV 1 & 3)
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
News and Next steps
Improvement of the species Annexes for HCV 1.2 in 2007:
- Several more plant species included in the list;- Non-disturbance zones for animals within and out of
the reproduction periods Opportunity to influence/include EU High Nature
Value Areas for farmland and forests Opportunities to use for PES schemes Including in the assessments important for local
communities eco-tourism and recreational functions (HCV5)
Practical methodology for NTFP inventory and sustainable use in testing period (HCV5)
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
HCV1. FOREST AREAS CONTAINING GLOBALLY, REGIONALLY OR NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT
CONCENTRATIONS OF BIODIVERSITY VALUES (e.g. ENDEMISM, ENDANGERED SPECIES, REFUGIA)
HCV 1.1 Protected Areas
HCV 1.2 Threatened, endangered and endemic species
HCV 1.3 Critical concentrations of species
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
HCV
1.
1
Protected
Areas
In Bulgaria HCVs are the Protected Areas, as follows:
1.Lands and forests from the forest fund (LFFF) in Reserves, Managed Reserves, National Parks, Protected Sites, Nature Sites designated under the PAA;
2.LFFF in Nature Parks included in biodiversity conservation areas, designated under the Park Management Plans;
3.LFFF in Nature Parks without management plan documents designated;
4.LFFF included in protected zones designated under the Biological Diversity Act (BDA) – NATURA 2000 sites.
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
HCV
1.
2
Threatened,
endangered
and
ende
mi
c
speci
es
HCV 1.2 are areas from FMU where each species listed in Annex 1 from the toolkit occurred. These are species with such a high conservation value, that the permanent presence of only one of them in a FMU is sufficient to indicate this area as a HCVF. LFFF including habitats of species listed in Annex 1 are HCVF. Annex 1- LIST OF ENDANGERED, THREATENED AND ENDEMIC SPECIES IN BULGARIA, INDICATORS FOR HIGH CONSERVATION VALUES IN FORESTS
A. Endemic, rare and endangered plant species•Lycopodium complanatum – rare •Polypodium australe – endangered•Taxus baccata – endangered
(70-80 species)
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
HCV
1.
2
Threatened,
endangered
and
ende
mi
c
speci
es
Annex 1- LIST OF ENDANGERED, THREATENED AND ENDEMIC SPECIES IN BULGARIA, INDICATORS FOR HIGH CONSERVATION VALUES IN FORESTS
B. List of Endemic, Endangered and Threatened Animal Species
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
Latin Name Common Name Red List Threshold Area size
1 Ursus arctos Brown Bear R Den presence, Inhabited at least twice for the last 5 years
Sub-compartments within 200 m radius - no activities
2 Lutra Lutra Otter VU A2cde/ T
Den presence 100 m from the den- no activities
3 Plegadis falcinellus
Glossy Ibis T Nesting of the species
200 m area
HCV
1.
3
Criti
cal
concentrati
ons
of
speci
es
Lists with species indicators for this HCV with their minimal concentrations in Bulgaria are listed in Annex 2. There are specified threshold values for each species. When there is a critical temporary or permanently concentration of species or important refuge areas, according to regulations in Annex 2, then the forest is HCVF.Annex 2 – List for assessment of critical concentrations of species in Bulgaria Black vultures: more than 5 birds use the site at least 30 days per year, 500 m area from the sleeping sites;
Pygmy cormorant: more than 15 birds use the site at least 30 days per year, 200 m area around the sleeping sites;
Bats colonies in woodlands - in rocks and caves: more than 20 specimens, 100 m area around the sites;
Capercaillie breeding place with 2-5 male birds, 300 m area Capercaillie breeding place with more than 5 males, 500 m area
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
HCV2.
IMPORTANT
FOREST
AREAS
FORMI
NG
LANDSCAPES
OF
REGI
ONAL
OR
NATI
ONAL
SI
GNI
FI
CANCE,
WHERE
ALL
NATURALLY
OCCURRI
NG
SPECI
ES
EXI
ST
I
N
NATURAL
PATTERNS
OF
DI
STRI
BUTI
ON
AND
ABUNDANCE
DEFINITION
With regional significance are those forest areas, which within the framework of the region are unique according to naturalness, fragmentation and minimum size of the area hosting vital populations of naturally occurring species.
With national importance are those forest areas, which within the framework of the country are unique according to naturalness, fragmentation and minimum size of the area hosting vital populations of naturally occurring species.
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
HCV2.
IMPORTANT
FOREST
AREAS
FORMI
NG
LANDSCAPES
OF
REGI
ONAL
OR
NATI
ONAL
SI
GNI
FI
CANCE,
WHERE
ALL
NATURALLY
OCCURRI
NG
SPECI
ES
EXI
ST
I
N
NATURAL
PATTERNS
OF
DI
STRI
BUTI
ON
AND
ABUNDANCE
CRITERIA AND TRESHOLD
During development of the criteria for forests distribution, according HCV 2 principle of forest-vegetation district is used. Forests, which meet this conservation value, are separated by criteria - naturalness, fragmentation and minimum size of the area hosting vital populations of naturally occurring species.
1. Naturalness – the forest consists of vegetation species with natural occurrence in the country, regardless of their origin.
2. Fragmentation – identification of the anthropogenic landscapes percentage within the described area and their spatial distribution.
3. Size of the area – based on the type of plantations, their geographical distribution and the area necessary for the normal vital activities of the populations of all naturally occurring species.
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
HCV2.
IMPORTANT
FOREST
AREAS
FORMI
NG
LANDSCAPES
OF
REGI
ONAL
OR
NATI
ONAL
SI
GNI
FI
CANCE,
WHERE
ALL
NATURALLY
OCCURRI
NG
SPECI
ES
EXI
ST
I
N
NATURAL
PATTERNS
OF
DI
STRI
BUTI
ON
AND
ABUNDANCE
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
Potential forests complying with the requirements of HCV 2 have a clear geographical differentiation. Therefore as a first step the geographical region should be identified. Potential regions are: Pirin, Rila, Rhodope, Vitosha and Strandja Mountains, Danube Hilly Plain, Balkan Mountains.
The altitude of the described area determines the potential geographical objects, which can be fully assessed. As a second step the geographical objects are identified according to the altitude Strandja Mountains, Danube Hilly Plain, Balkan Mountains at the altitude to 1000 m. Pirin, Rila, Vitosha and Rhodope at above 1000 m.
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
HCV2.
IMPORTANT
FOREST
AREAS
FORMI
NG
LANDSCAPES
OF
REGI
ONAL
OR
NATI
ONAL
SI
GNI
FI
CANCE,
WHERE
ALL
NATURALLY
OCCURRI
NG
SPECI
ES
EXI
ST
I
N
NATURAL
PATTERNS
OF
DI
STRI
BUTI
ON
AND
ABUNDANCE
FULL ASSESSMENT
Identification according to the table with criteria parameters:
Forest Naturalness Fragmentation Min.Size, massive % % ha
Strandja Mountains,
Danube Hilly Plain,
Balkan Mountains 70 7 40 000
The Pirin,
Rila, Vitosha and
Rhodope Mountain
ranges 80 5 50 000
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo
HCV2. IMPORTANT FOREST AREAS FORMING LANDSCAPES OF REGIONAL OR NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, WHERE ALL NATURALLY OCCURRING SPECIES EXIST IN NATURAL PATTERNS OF DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE
THANK YOU
Zhivko Bogdanov, Forest Program Coordinator
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme Bulgaria
71, ap.2 Knyaz Bpris I Str.
Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
tel./fax: +359 2 9505040
e-mail: [email protected]
http://wwf.bg
WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme www.panda.org/dcpo