Description
This project is needed to provide the ecological and biodiversity scientific basis for assessment of ecosystem services of wetlands in Bulgaria, which are not directly associated with freshwater bodies, do not belong to the coastal marine areas and are situated outside NATURA2000 network. These include three types of wetlands (further referred to as target wetlands). The project objectives include: (1) Identification and mapping of target wetlands on the territory of the entire country. (2) Accumulation of data on abiotic heterogeneity and biotic diversity in the target wetlands. (3) Assessment of ecological status and ecosystem services (detected or potential) of the targeted wetlands. The methodology for assessment of the ecosystem services developed by the project BG3PDP2 will be followed. The project outputs include: (1) Maps and descriptions of the target wetlands. (2) Assessment of the current ecological state.
Summary of project results
This project is needed to provide the ecological and biodiversity scientific basis for assessment of ecosystem services of wetlands in Bulgaria, which are not directly associated with freshwater bodies, do not belong to the coastal marine areas and are situated outside NATURA2000 network. Тhe objective of a project is tо organize and analyze ecological and biological scientific information on wetland ecosystems outside the Natura 2000 network in Bulgaria. The collected information will be integrated into the Information System of the National Biodiversity Monitoring System of the Executive Environment Agency. The project activities are carried out under the “Methodology for assessment and mapping of WETLAND ecosystems condition and their services in Bulgaria” (Part B7), developed under the MetEcosMap project. Object of mapping and assessment of the condition and services provided were the following subtypes of "terrestrial wetlands" ecosystems: 1.Valley mires, poor fens and transition mires (D2); 2. Base-rich fens and calcareous spring mires (D4); 3. Sedge and reedbeds, normally without free-standing water (D5). The main results are: • 285 "Terrestrial Wetlands" ecosystems identified and mapped through GIS and field studies; • The condition of identified ecosystems is assessed by direct measurement or analysis of available data on plant and animal diversity, soils, waters, fires, dumping-grounds and invasive species; • Assessed provisioning, Regulating/Maintenance and Cultural ecosystem services; • Individual maps of sub-types of ecosystems, their condition and the ecosystem services they provided; • The information gathered and the assessments made are entered in a database. Under the project has published four press releases on the BTA website, two project seminars, two brochures for the project activities (one of which are in English), a book for the project presenting the project results, two films - one for the general public and the other is intended for the more specialized audience (scientists, lecturers, experts in the EEA, RIEW) and presents the results of the project. The results of the project will benefit the Ministry of Environment and Waters, the Environmental Executive Agency, the RIEW, the Basin Directorates, regional and local authorities, water and sewerage companies, non-governmental organizations, business, researchers, students and wetland users.
Summary of bilateral results