WWF Bulgaria and the North Western State Forest Enterprise Begins Preparatory Work for Planting Wild Forest Fruit Trees in Zapadna Stara Planina
WWF Bulgaria and the NWSFE has commenced the identification of plots for planting wild forest fruit trees in the Zapadna Stara Planina region of Bulgaria. This initiative aims to enhance the heterogeneity of critical forest habitats while providing additional seasonal natural food sources for large carnivores.
As part of the project, the Berkovitza Forest Unit was selected as one of the initial pilot areas. A drone survey was conducted during the blooming season of the forest fruit trees, allowing for efficient monitoring and georeferencing of all blooming trees.
The inventory process involved identifying various forest fruit tree species, GPS mapping their locations, and collecting comprehensive data on their diversity, abundance, and distribution within the selected intervention site. This data is crucial for determining suitable species for seed collection to create saplings. By focusing on trees with higher fruit production, the project aims to enhance the success of seed collection efforts, ultimately yielding a greater number of viable seeds.
The outcomes of this activity will contribute to the development of a practical guide titled "Enhancing Habitat Heterogeneity and Climate Resilience in Transnational Forest Ecosystems." This guide will serve as a valuable resource for forest managers and stakeholders, promoting the adoption of similar strategies in other transnational forest ecosystems to improve habitat diversity and climate resilience.
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