BIO2CARE WP3 Deliverable (Activity 3.1)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INTERREG V-A COOPERATION PROGRAMME GREECE – BULGARIA 2014 – 2020 Reinforcing Protected Areas Capacity through an Innovative Methodology for Sustainability – BIO2CARE – (Reg. No: 1890) WP3 Deliverable 3.1 One (1) study collecting information and producing knowledge regarding anthropogenic activities and status of nature (incl. SWOT analysis) of the areas The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. Deliverable 3.1 Project Acronym: BIO2CARE -1- INTERREG V-A CP Table of Contents Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 1: Introduction – Definition of study areas and their significance .................................................. 4 Chapter 2: Study Area 1- National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (GR) ....................................... 11 2.1 Status of Nature of Study Area 1 .......................................................................................................... 11 2.1.1 Geographical characteristics .............................................................................................................. 11 2.1.2 Flora ................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.1.3 Fauna .................................................................................................................................................. 25 2.1.4 Other natural characteristics ............................................................................................................. 42 2.2 Anthropogenic Activities within Study Area 1 ...................................................................................... 45 2.2.1 Demographic characteristics ............................................................................................................. 45 2.2.2 Energy analysis ................................................................................................................................... 47 2.2.3 Transport activity ............................................................................................................................... 49 2.2.4 Building stock ..................................................................................................................................... 52 2.2.5 Tourist activity ................................................................................................................................... 53 2.2.6 Agricultural and livestock activity ...................................................................................................... 59 2.2.7 Industrial activity ................................................................................................................................ 63 2.2.8 Other impacts from anthropogenic activities .................................................................................... 66 Chapter 3: Study Area 2-Rila National Park and catchment area of the river basin of Blagoevgradska Bistrica (BG) ................................................................................................................................................. 70 3.1 Status of Nature of Study Area 2 .......................................................................................................... 70 3.1.1 Geographical characteristics .............................................................................................................. 70 3.1.2 Flora ................................................................................................................................................... 88 3.1.3 Fauna .................................................................................................................................................. 90 3.1.4 Other natural characteristics ............................................................................................................. 90 3.2 Anthropogenic Activities within Study Area 2 .................................................................................... 116 3.2.1 Demographic characteristics ........................................................................................................... 116 3.2.2 Energy analysis ................................................................................................................................. 132 3.2.3 Transport activity ............................................................................................................................. 144 3.2.4 Building stock ................................................................................................................................... 160 Deliverable 3.1 Project Acronym: BIO2CARE -2- INTERREG V-A CP 3.2.5 Tourist activity ................................................................................................................................. 171 3.2.6 Agricultural and livestock activity .................................................................................................... 178 3.2.7 Industrial activity .............................................................................................................................. 181 3.2.8 Other impacts from anthropogenic activities .................................................................................. 196 Chapter 4: SWOT Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 208 4.1 SWOT Analysis of Study Area 1 ........................................................................................................... 208 4.2 SWOT Analysis of Study Area 2 ........................................................................................................... 212 Chapter 5: Benchmark Analysis ................................................................................................................ 217 5.1 Comparison of the two Study Areas ................................................................................................... 217 5.2 Comparison with other National Parks in Bulgaria and worldwide .................................................... 218 5.3 Comparison with other National Parks in Greece and worldwide ..................................................... 227 Chapter 6: Conclusions ............................................................................................................................. 237 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................................. 239 Deliverable 3.1 Project Acronym: BIO2CARE -3- INTERREG V-A CP Chapter 1: Introduction – Definition of study areas and their significance The goal of this study is to collect information and produce Knowledge regarding the anthropogenic activities and status of nature of the protected areas: 1) National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in Greece (NP-EMATH) (Study Area 1) and 2) Rila National Park of Bulgaria (RNPD) including the catchment area of the river basin of Blagoevgradska Bistrica (Study Area 2). The information presented in this study serves as the basis to identify and analyze the special characteristics and basic needs of the examined areas, thus facilitating the development of efficient decision support tools and monitoring systems. In Chapters 2 and 3 the current situation of the Study Areas 1 and 2 is respectively presented, including analytical inventories and data on Key issues that affect the environmental sustainability of the examined systems. More specifically, the status of nature (including geographic, flora, fauna and other natural characteristics) is analytically described whereas key anthropogenic activities (such as demographics, energy analysis, transport activity, building stock, tourist activity, agricultural, and livestock and industrial activity) are quantified and presented. In Chapter 4 a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is performed and presented for the two Study Areas, with a view to identify major internal and external factors that are important for developing a strategy towards sustainable development and protecting the biodiversity of NP-EMATH and RNPD. In Chapter 5, a benchmark analysis is conducted comparing the two Study Areas with each other and with other National Parks in Greece, Bulgaria and worldwide. Under this framework, Key issues such as annual number of visitors, covered area in hectares, environmental challenges/problems are compared. Finally in Chapter 6, the main conclusions are summariZed and future directions are provided. Following a holistic approach, the areas under focus will be not only the areas of absolute protection but also neighboring areas where anthropogenic activity is intense. In this way, the results of the Project BIO2CARE will benefit not only the protection of natural environment and biodiversity of the areas, but also local communities through the development and adoption of circular economy and green entrepreneurship strategies. Additionally this will further strengthens the applicability and scope of the results since they will cover a wide typology of protected areas. The