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Protected Area “Mandra-Poda”
Name: protected area „Mandra-Poda”
Address: Some territories of the villages Dimchevo and Tvarditsa (Municipality Bourgas) are included in the protected area. It also includes territories of the villages Konstantinovo and Cherni vrah (Municipality Kameno). The protected area includes also territories of the villages Zidarovo, Izvor and Prisad (Municipality Sozopol), as well as the village Debelt (Municipality Sredets). The residential quarters Kraimorie and Meden rudnik also belong to the protected area.
Regime of protection: In PA “Mandra-Poda” is prohibited to:
• Remove characteristics of the landscape (boundary strips, single trees or groups of trees) during the usage of arable lands in the PA;
• Plant trees on grasslands or to turn them into arable lands and perennial plants;
• Use pesticides and chemical fertilizers;
• Building of wind farms with the exception of those that are in accordance with Bulgarian legal ecological framework;
• Building of ports and terminals with the exception of those that are in accordance with Bulgarian legal ecological framework;
• Draining activities connected with change of the water regime of marshes and natural water basins, except for improving the condition of water ecosystems and habitats;
• Reed cutting in the period March, 1 – August 15 when is the breeding season for the bird species in the PA;
• Firing of reed beds and costal vegetation.
Distinctive features: The most important for conservation of biodiversity in the protected area are the artificial lake “Mandra” and water basins in the protected area “Poda”. They form interesting and unique complex of water basins called “Mandra-Poda” complex. It is part of Bourgas wetlands which include also Atanassovsko Lake and Vaya Lake. The artificial lake “Mandra” is former semi salty lake situated at the Black Sea coast. It was turned into artificial lake by building dam at its Eastern part. Today among its dam and Black Sea is situated lagoon which is part of protected areas “Poda” and “Uzungeren”. To this complex belong also the breeding-ponds and unfortunately the oxidizing lakes of “Lukoil Neftohim Bourgas” AD. Part of the complex is the protected area “Ustie na reka Izvorska”. All these unique components make the protected area very interesting and varied.
The water: Mandra-Poda is a complex of water basins with different saltiness. The natural and artificial water basins of the complex offer diverse living conditions and rich feeding base for its inhabitants. The waters of the artificial lake “Mandra” are sweet. The rivers Izvorska, Fakiiska, Sredetska and Rusokastrenska flow into it. In the protected area “Poda” the water basins are with mixed waters – sweet, semi salty and over salty lagoons. To the complex belong also four oxidizing lakes of “Lukoil Neftohim Bourgas” AD. One of them is already re-cultivated and filled with soil. The other three still receive purified waters from the refinery. These waters are sweet and warm which makes them favorite place for many bird species. They stop there to rest on the concrete bases.
The life in the protected area: The main treasures of the complex Mandra-Poda are the birds. It is amazing that 274 bird species are registered there and many of them are globally threatened. On the water of the complex could be observed species like Pygmy Cormorant, White-headed Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Red-breasted Duck, Lesser White-fronted Goose and Corncrake. Big flocks of Common Pochard and Tufted Duck migrate here to survive during the coldest winter days. Whooper Swan and Tundra Swan rest and feed at the wetland as well. PA “Poda” is very important for the nesting of Common Spoonbill. This beautiful white bird became symbol of the PA. The Pied Avocet also nests here. We could not and should not miss to mention one of the lords of the sky - White-tailed Eagle. The complex is one of the three places on the Black Sea coast where this bird nests. It is pity to say that till 1940 at Mandra lake nested the last in Bulgaria colony of Great White Pelicans. One of the reasons for its disappearance is the building of the artificial lake. The western part of Mandra was flooded and the reed massifs which are valuable for the pelicans disappeared. Another reason is the disturbance of the birds from people. Nowadays the Great White Pelicans use the artificial lake for feeding during migration although they prefer Bourgas Lake. The lagoon of the PA “Poda”is overgroun with reed and bulrush. The shallow and over salty parts are covered with Salicornia.
The lake and the city: The water basins of the PA “Mandra-Poda” are part of the town. Naturally they suffer the influence of the city and its inhabitants. The former lake “Mandra” and nowadays artificial lake is a main source of industrial waters for the Oil refinery “Lukoil Neftohim Bourgas” AD. The oil pipes pass through the complex and this additionally threatens the wetland in case of industrial accident. The artificial lake is near the quarter Meden Rudnik. The PA “Poda” is just to the port of Bourgas. The old road Bourgas-Sozopol passes through the PA as well as some installations of the Oil refinery. All these facts have negative impact on these important habitats. The enlargement of the city destroys the wet grasslands and the marshes around the lakes. The city nearby is the main reason for the pollution with household and industrial wastes.
Main threats for the protected area:
Change or destruction of valuable habitats as a result of urbanization;
Pollution of the water basins with different types of wastes – household, industrial or wasts from the construction sites;
Noise pollution caused by the traffic on the international road to Turkey which passes through the PA;
Change of the land use aimed at the realization of different investment activities.
Scientific information:
Protected area “Mandra-Poda” is part of the national ecological network in Bulgaria according the Biodiversity Act. It is registered under number BG0000230 in the European ecological network Natura 2000. It is declared by the Birds Directive aimed at protection and maintenance of the habitats of the protected birds. All the activities implemented in the protected area are directed at recreation of the habitats and improvement of the ecological status of the protected species.
The total area of the PA is 61 358,72 da. It covers territories of several villages of municipalities Bourgas, Kameno, Sozopol ans Sredets. The protected area is part of the Bourgas Lake complex which is one of the most valuable wetland complexes for waterfowl birds on Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The following figures fully support this statement:
274 bird species are registered in the region of Mandra complex;
109 species are of European importance;
12 species belong to the category SPEС1 (globally threatened);
24 species belong to category SPEС2 (threatened in Europe) and 73 species belong to category SPEС3;
The place ensures suitable habitats for 68 species included in Appendix 2 of the Biodiversity Act that need special protection measures;
Protected area “Mandra-Poda” is part of the national ecological network in Bulgaria according the Biodiversity Act. It is registered under number BG0000230 in the European ecological network Natura 2000. It is declared by the Birds Directive aimed at protection and maintenance of the habitats of the protected birds. All the activities implemented in the protected area are directed at recreation of the habitats and improvement of the ecological status of the protected species.
The total area of the PA is 61 358,72 da. It covers territories of several villages of municipalities Bourgas, Kameno, Sozopol ans Sredets. The protected area is part of the Bourgas Lake complex which is one of the most valuable wetland complexes for waterfowl birds on Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The following figures fully support this statement:
274 bird species are registered in the region of Mandra complex;
109 species are of European importance;
12 species belong to the category SPEС1 (globally threatened);
24 species belong to category SPEС2 (threatened in Europe) and 73 species belong to category SPEС3;
The place ensures suitable habitats for 68 species included in Appendix 2 of the Biodiversity Act that need special protection measures;
Name: protected area „Mandra-Poda”
Address: Some territories of the villages Dimchevo and Tvarditsa (Municipality Bourgas) are included in the protected area. It also includes territories of the villages Konstantinovo and Cherni vrah (Municipality Kameno). The protected area includes also territories of the villages Zidarovo, Izvor and Prisad (Municipality Sozopol), as well as the village Debelt (Municipality Sredets). The residential quarters Kraimorie and Meden rudnik also belong to the protected area.
Regime of protection: In PA “Mandra-Poda” is prohibited to:
• Remove characteristics of the landscape (boundary strips, single trees or groups of trees) during the usage of arable lands in the PA;
• Plant trees on grasslands or to turn them into arable lands and perennial plants;
• Use pesticides and chemical fertilizers;
• Building of wind farms with the exception of those that are in accordance with Bulgarian legal ecological framework;
• Building of ports and terminals with the exception of those that are in accordance with Bulgarian legal ecological framework;
• Draining activities connected with change of the water regime of marshes and natural water basins, except for improving the condition of water ecosystems and habitats;
• Reed cutting in the period March, 1 – August 15 when is the breeding season for the bird species in the PA;
• Firing of reed beds and costal vegetation.
Distinctive features: The most important for conservation of biodiversity in the protected area are the artificial lake “Mandra” and water basins in the protected area “Poda”. They form interesting and unique complex of water basins called “Mandra-Poda” complex. It is part of Bourgas wetlands which include also Atanassovsko Lake and Vaya Lake. The artificial lake “Mandra” is former semi salty lake situated at the Black Sea coast. It was turned into artificial lake by building dam at its Eastern part. Today among its dam and Black Sea is situated lagoon which is part of protected areas “Poda” and “Uzungeren”. To this complex belong also the breeding-ponds and unfortunately the oxidizing lakes of “Lukoil Neftohim Bourgas” AD. Part of the complex is the protected area “Ustie na reka Izvorska”. All these unique components make the protected area very interesting and varied.
The water: Mandra-Poda is a complex of water basins with different saltiness. The natural and artificial water basins of the complex offer diverse living conditions and rich feeding base for its inhabitants. The waters of the artificial lake “Mandra” are sweet. The rivers Izvorska, Fakiiska, Sredetska and Rusokastrenska flow into it. In the protected area “Poda” the water basins are with mixed waters – sweet, semi salty and over salty lagoons. To the complex belong also four oxidizing lakes of “Lukoil Neftohim Bourgas” AD. One of them is already re-cultivated and filled with soil. The other three still receive purified waters from the refinery. These waters are sweet and warm which makes them favorite place for many bird species. They stop there to rest on the concrete bases.
The life in the protected area: The main treasures of the complex Mandra-Poda are the birds. It is amazing that 274 bird species are registered there and many of them are globally threatened. On the water of the complex could be observed species like Pygmy Cormorant, White-headed Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Red-breasted Duck, Lesser White-fronted Goose and Corncrake. Big flocks of Common Pochard and Tufted Duck migrate here to survive during the coldest winter days. Whooper Swan and Tundra Swan rest and feed at the wetland as well. PA “Poda” is very important for the nesting of Common Spoonbill. This beautiful white bird became symbol of the PA. The Pied Avocet also nests here. We could not and should not miss to mention one of the lords of the sky - White-tailed Eagle. The complex is one of the three places on the Black Sea coast where this bird nests. It is pity to say that till 1940 at Mandra lake nested the last in Bulgaria colony of Great White Pelicans. One of the reasons for its disappearance is the building of the artificial lake. The western part of Mandra was flooded and the reed massifs which are valuable for the pelicans disappeared. Another reason is the disturbance of the birds from people. Nowadays the Great White Pelicans use the artificial lake for feeding during migration although they prefer Bourgas Lake. The lagoon of the PA “Poda”is overgroun with reed and bulrush. The shallow and over salty parts are covered with Salicornia.
The lake and the city: The water basins of the PA “Mandra-Poda” are part of the town. Naturally they suffer the influence of the city and its inhabitants. The former lake “Mandra” and nowadays artificial lake is a main source of industrial waters for the Oil refinery “Lukoil Neftohim Bourgas” AD. The oil pipes pass through the complex and this additionally threatens the wetland in case of industrial accident. The artificial lake is near the quarter Meden Rudnik. The PA “Poda” is just to the port of Bourgas. The old road Bourgas-Sozopol passes through the PA as well as some installations of the Oil refinery. All these facts have negative impact on these important habitats. The enlargement of the city destroys the wet grasslands and the marshes around the lakes. The city nearby is the main reason for the pollution with household and industrial wastes.
Main threats for the protected area:
Change or destruction of valuable habitats as a result of urbanization;
Pollution of the water basins with different types of wastes – household, industrial or wasts from the construction sites;
Noise pollution caused by the traffic on the international road to Turkey which passes through the PA;
Change of the land use aimed at the realization of different investment activities.
Curious facts about the lake:
Scientific information:
Protected area “Mandra-Poda” is part of the national ecological network in Bulgaria according the Biodiversity Act. It is registered under number BG0000230 in the European ecological network Natura 2000. It is declared by the Birds Directive aimed at protection and maintenance of the habitats of the protected birds. All the activities implemented in the protected area are directed at recreation of the habitats and improvement of the ecological status of the protected species.
The total area of the PA is 61 358,72 da. It covers territories of several villages of municipalities Bourgas, Kameno, Sozopol ans Sredets. The protected area is part of the Bourgas Lake complex which is one of the most valuable wetland complexes for waterfowl birds on Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The following figures fully support this statement:
274 bird species are registered in the region of Mandra complex;
109 species are of European importance;
12 species belong to the category SPEС1 (globally threatened);
24 species belong to category SPEС2 (threatened in Europe) and 73 species belong to category SPEС3;
The place ensures suitable habitats for 68 species included in Appendix 2 of the Biodiversity Act that need special protection measures;
Address: Some territories of the villages Dimchevo and Tvarditsa (Municipality Bourgas) are included in the protected area. It also includes territories of the villages Konstantinovo and Cherni vrah (Municipality Kameno). The protected area includes also territories of the villages Zidarovo, Izvor and Prisad (Municipality Sozopol), as well as the village Debelt (Municipality Sredets). The residential quarters Kraimorie and Meden rudnik also belong to the protected area.
Regime of protection: In PA “Mandra-Poda” is prohibited to:
• Remove characteristics of the landscape (boundary strips, single trees or groups of trees) during the usage of arable lands in the PA;
• Plant trees on grasslands or to turn them into arable lands and perennial plants;
• Use pesticides and chemical fertilizers;
• Building of wind farms with the exception of those that are in accordance with Bulgarian legal ecological framework;
• Building of ports and terminals with the exception of those that are in accordance with Bulgarian legal ecological framework;
• Draining activities connected with change of the water regime of marshes and natural water basins, except for improving the condition of water ecosystems and habitats;
• Reed cutting in the period March, 1 – August 15 when is the breeding season for the bird species in the PA;
• Firing of reed beds and costal vegetation.
Distinctive features: The most important for conservation of biodiversity in the protected area are the artificial lake “Mandra” and water basins in the protected area “Poda”. They form interesting and unique complex of water basins called “Mandra-Poda” complex. It is part of Bourgas wetlands which include also Atanassovsko Lake and Vaya Lake. The artificial lake “Mandra” is former semi salty lake situated at the Black Sea coast. It was turned into artificial lake by building dam at its Eastern part. Today among its dam and Black Sea is situated lagoon which is part of protected areas “Poda” and “Uzungeren”. To this complex belong also the breeding-ponds and unfortunately the oxidizing lakes of “Lukoil Neftohim Bourgas” AD. Part of the complex is the protected area “Ustie na reka Izvorska”. All these unique components make the protected area very interesting and varied.
The water: Mandra-Poda is a complex of water basins with different saltiness. The natural and artificial water basins of the complex offer diverse living conditions and rich feeding base for its inhabitants. The waters of the artificial lake “Mandra” are sweet. The rivers Izvorska, Fakiiska, Sredetska and Rusokastrenska flow into it. In the protected area “Poda” the water basins are with mixed waters – sweet, semi salty and over salty lagoons. To the complex belong also four oxidizing lakes of “Lukoil Neftohim Bourgas” AD. One of them is already re-cultivated and filled with soil. The other three still receive purified waters from the refinery. These waters are sweet and warm which makes them favorite place for many bird species. They stop there to rest on the concrete bases.
The life in the protected area: The main treasures of the complex Mandra-Poda are the birds. It is amazing that 274 bird species are registered there and many of them are globally threatened. On the water of the complex could be observed species like Pygmy Cormorant, White-headed Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Red-breasted Duck, Lesser White-fronted Goose and Corncrake. Big flocks of Common Pochard and Tufted Duck migrate here to survive during the coldest winter days. Whooper Swan and Tundra Swan rest and feed at the wetland as well. PA “Poda” is very important for the nesting of Common Spoonbill. This beautiful white bird became symbol of the PA. The Pied Avocet also nests here. We could not and should not miss to mention one of the lords of the sky - White-tailed Eagle. The complex is one of the three places on the Black Sea coast where this bird nests. It is pity to say that till 1940 at Mandra lake nested the last in Bulgaria colony of Great White Pelicans. One of the reasons for its disappearance is the building of the artificial lake. The western part of Mandra was flooded and the reed massifs which are valuable for the pelicans disappeared. Another reason is the disturbance of the birds from people. Nowadays the Great White Pelicans use the artificial lake for feeding during migration although they prefer Bourgas Lake. The lagoon of the PA “Poda”is overgroun with reed and bulrush. The shallow and over salty parts are covered with Salicornia.
The lake and the city: The water basins of the PA “Mandra-Poda” are part of the town. Naturally they suffer the influence of the city and its inhabitants. The former lake “Mandra” and nowadays artificial lake is a main source of industrial waters for the Oil refinery “Lukoil Neftohim Bourgas” AD. The oil pipes pass through the complex and this additionally threatens the wetland in case of industrial accident. The artificial lake is near the quarter Meden Rudnik. The PA “Poda” is just to the port of Bourgas. The old road Bourgas-Sozopol passes through the PA as well as some installations of the Oil refinery. All these facts have negative impact on these important habitats. The enlargement of the city destroys the wet grasslands and the marshes around the lakes. The city nearby is the main reason for the pollution with household and industrial wastes.
Main threats for the protected area:
Change or destruction of valuable habitats as a result of urbanization;
Pollution of the water basins with different types of wastes – household, industrial or wasts from the construction sites;
Noise pollution caused by the traffic on the international road to Turkey which passes through the PA;
Change of the land use aimed at the realization of different investment activities.
Curious facts about the lake:
Scientific information:
Protected area “Mandra-Poda” is part of the national ecological network in Bulgaria according the Biodiversity Act. It is registered under number BG0000230 in the European ecological network Natura 2000. It is declared by the Birds Directive aimed at protection and maintenance of the habitats of the protected birds. All the activities implemented in the protected area are directed at recreation of the habitats and improvement of the ecological status of the protected species.
The total area of the PA is 61 358,72 da. It covers territories of several villages of municipalities Bourgas, Kameno, Sozopol ans Sredets. The protected area is part of the Bourgas Lake complex which is one of the most valuable wetland complexes for waterfowl birds on Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The following figures fully support this statement:
274 bird species are registered in the region of Mandra complex;
109 species are of European importance;
12 species belong to the category SPEС1 (globally threatened);
24 species belong to category SPEС2 (threatened in Europe) and 73 species belong to category SPEС3;
The place ensures suitable habitats for 68 species included in Appendix 2 of the Biodiversity Act that need special protection measures;
