Uzunbodzhak Biosphere Reserve (Lopushna)

Overview

Uzunbodzhak Biosphere Reserve (Lopushna) is the largest Strandzha reserve, declared in 1956. It is located south of the village of Kosti, in the valley of the Rezovska River, 18 km west of its mouth. It is located completely behind the border facility, on the border with Turkey. Uzunbоdjak translated from Turkish means a long sheltered place. The relief is divided as the altitude varies between 50 and 300 m. The climate is continental-Mediterranean and is milder due to its proximity to the shores of the Black Sea. In March 1977 the reserve was included in the list of biosphere reserves under the program "Man and Biosphere" of UNESCO, with a total area of ​​2581.5 hectares. In it are some of the oldest beech and oak forests of Strandzha. The forests with evergreen undergrowth of Strandzha periwinkle are especially characteristic in the reserve. Common rare and protected species here are laurel, Colchis gel, red pyracantha, Strandzha blueberry and others. The forests in Uzunbodzhak are a refuge for many animals: reptiles - snake lizard, yellow-bellied snake, concave-headed dragon, leopard dragon. Of the common mammals are wild boar, deer, fox, jackal, wild cat, wolf, gray hamster. Birds are several species of woodpeckers, blackbirds, pigeons, white-fronted shrike, hawksbill, blue grouse, snipe. The rich and diverse river fauna is represented by Rezov barbels, river keafals, many water snakes. Until 1913, the lynx, an extinct species from the Bulgarian lands, was found in the forests of Uzunbodzhak, and until 1941 they were inhabited by red deer. The special location of the reserve on the border with Turkey, as well as Europe's approaches to Asia, makes it unique both in terms of Europe's exceptional biodiversity and in terms of culture and history.