Kresna Gorge(Bulgarian:Кресненско дефиле) is a steepvalleyin south-westernBulgaria,stretching about 18 km (11 mi). Thegorgehas been formed by theStruma River,which flows from theVitoshamountains. Kresna gorge has a richbiodiversity,which has come under pressure from theStruma motorwayconstruction project, a new leg of the Trans European Corridor No. 4.[1][2]In the south, the gorge bisects theTisatanature reserve.
| Kresna Gorge | |
|---|---|
| Кресненско дефиле | |
 Struma River in Kresna Gorge | |
  Kresna Gorge Location within Bulgaria | |
| Floor elevation | 222 m (728 ft) |
| Length | 18 km (11 mi) north to south |
| Geology | |
| Type | Gorge |
| Geography | |
| Location | PirinandMaleshevo mountainranges,Bulgaria |
| Coordinates | 41°46′7″N23°9′18″E/ 41.76861°N 23.15500°E |
Kresna Gorge was the place of theBattle of Kresna Gorgebetween Bulgaria andGreeceduring the 1913Second Balkan War.The Greek army was threatened by encirclement in the valley, but due to the Romanian army advancing against the undefended capital Sofia, Bulgaria had to agree to an armistice and the resultingpeace treaty in Bucharestwhich was unfavorable to Bulgaria's territorial aspirations.[3]
Terrain and Climate
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Kresna Gorge is situated near the villages of Palat, Drakata, and Krupnik while surrounded by thePirinandMaleshevska Mountains.The gorge is a transitory Mediterranean climate, as it is located between the Central-European and Mediterranean climate zones. The Struma River cuts through the gorge and is a main geological feature. Near the riverbank are sediment soils which transition into shallow alluvial soil with maroon soil on the side.[4]The rocky terrain varies throughout the gorge, including stony slopes, large vertical cliffs, and small rocky sections.
Ecology
editKresna Gorge is home to a diverse fauna and flora, as well as a ranging terrain.[further explanation needed]The southern reaches of the gorge bisect theTisatanature reserve in two. The gorge is home to many important Mediterranean plant species, habitats, landscapes, and bird wildlife.[5]There are approximately 31 species of reptiles, 75 species of mammals, and 232 species of birds in this relatively small gorge.[6]Kresna Gorge is considered aNatura 2000conservation site, signifying its importance in the protection of endangered species. Some species of birds, such ascormorants,may not nest and breed in the gorge, but are utilizing its resources as part of longer passageways and migratory routes. The resources provided by the gorge are crucial, and serve as the main resting sites to threatened and rare species such as theEgyptian vulture.[7]
There are multiple types of forests located inside the gorge, including different types of oak trees such asQuercus pubescens,Carpinus orientalis,andFraxinus ornus.Considering the climate, typical Mediterranean flora species such asQuercus cocciferaandPhillyreathrive here.[6]The magnitude of the vegetation and plant population in Kresna provides a foundation for the varied populations of birds and other animals who lives here.
Struma Motorway
editTheStruma motorway,a project that is part of The European Transport Corridor No IV, is planned to cut through the Kresna Gorge. The motorway is seen by the European Union, as well as the Bulgarian government, as a vital trade and tourism route, and receives funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB).[8]The motorway will provide a passageway from Germany and Hungary to Greece, and aims to boost the Bulgarian economy. The project, however, will also have some destructive effects for the inhabitants of the gorge and itsecosystem.With the current road in the gorge, lack of proper mitigation has already led to many road kills over the years; with the construction of the new motorway project, animal mortality rate is expected to increase, not just because of direct traffic accidents but also because of the effects ofdeforestationandhabitat loss.[9]
The locals in the nearby villages are afraid their shops and livelihoods will be deserted when the motorway opens. They also fear that Kresna will attract fewer tourists and that young residents will migrate to other countries.[10]The motorway will force some of the villagers to lose land and property during the construction, negatively impacting their livelihoods.[10]
The European Union financed both the Bulgarian government to build the motorway and the environmental groups that defend the endangered nature through construction. There has been a long battle between the government and construction companies on the one hand and residents and environmental groups on the other.[11]
References
edit- ^"Struma Motorway".ebrd.Retrieved2017-11-08.
- ^"LIFE for Kresna Gorge".rewildingeurope.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-11-09.Retrieved2017-11-08.
- ^Balkan Wars 1912-1913 PDF;Page 12
- ^"Kresna Gorge".fwff.org.Retrieved2017-11-08.
- ^"Five Threats to Nature"(PDF).assets.panda.org.Retrieved2017-11-08.
- ^ab"Kresna Gorge".klooiplek.eu.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-11-08.Retrieved2017-11-08.
- ^"Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)".fwff.org.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-11-08.Retrieved2017-11-08.
- ^"EU money should not help destroy Bulgaria's Kresna Gorge".euractiv.29 March 2016.Retrieved2017-11-08.
- ^"Struma Motorway Lot 3.2"(PDF).ncsip.bg.Retrieved2017-11-08.
- ^ab"Bulgarian motorway poised to carve up wildlife haven".theguardian.17 February 2016.Retrieved2017-11-08.
- ^Onthullende video: EU financiert strijdende partijen in Bulgarije,DDS, Olaf Stuger, 25 June 2019. Consulted 5 July 2020.