UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

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			Biosphere Reserve Information
			Bulgaria STENETO


	General Description		Steneto Biosphere Reserve is situated 20 km south of the town of Troyan in the Lovech Region in the Balkan Highland (Stara Planina). The reserve occupies an area of 3578,8 hectares. The reserve was established in 1963 to protect the beauty of the natural landscape and was declared a biosphere reserve in 1977. Limestone makes up most of the underlying rock, resulting in an outstanding karst landscape with unusual rock formations and numerous caves. The Cherni Osam River has cut a gorge with vertical walls of 200 meters depth. The Steneto Biosphere Reserve is part of the Central Balkan National Park. It is not inhabited and there are no major economic activities taking place. Relatively undisturbed associations of 200-year-old beech (Fagus sylvatica) can be found. The area also hosts Haberlea rhodopensis, a species endemic to the Balkans. The fauna is extremely rich in species and includes e.g. brown bear (Ursus arctos), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa). This biosphere reserve is currently under revision.
	Major ecosystem type		Mixed mountain and highland systems
	Major habitats & land cover types		Deciduous (Fagus sylvatica, Carpinus betulus, Acer pseudoplatanus, A. platanoides) and coniferous (Picea abies, Abies alba) forests; grasslands; gorges
	Location		42°48'N; 24°40'E
	Area (hectares)
	Total		3,579
	Core area(s)		3,578.8
	Buffer zone(s)
	Transition area(s) when given
	Altitude (metres above sea level)		+650 to +2,166
	Year designated		1977
	Administrative authorities

	Brief description
	*Specific variables...*
	Abiotic		n.a.
	Biodiversity		n.a.
	Socio-economic		n.a.
	Integrated monitoring		n.a.

	Contact address		Nela Rachevitz Central Balkan National Park 3, Bodra Smyana Str. 5300 Gabrovo Bulgaria
	Telephone		(359.66) 61 302
	Fax
	E-mail		rachevitz@centralbalkan.bg

			n.a.

Last updated: 04/04/2002