Mantaritza Biosphere Reserve
Mantaritza Biosphere Reserve is situated to the north of Golyama Syutka Peak in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria, and covers an area of 1319,9 hectares. The reserve was established in 1968 to protect the old coniferous forests and the biotopes of the Western capercaillie. The area was declared as biosphere reserve in 1977. It represents century-old forests of pure and mixed stands of Norway spruce ', European birch ' and European silver fir '. The reserve is situated in the Bulgarian Floristic sub-region of West Rhodope within the Central European mountain biotic province. The varied fauna includes brown bear ', red deer ', roe deer ', wild boar, pine marten ', European badger '', hazel grouse ', black woodpecker ' and European crested tit '.
This area has been little affected by man. Before the biosphere reserve was designated in 1977, small-scale selective cutting took place and water reservoirs were constructed. This biosphere reserve is currently under revision.
