Ropotamo Complex

Forest habitat in Ropotamo Complex. The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
Waterfowl in Ropotamo Complex. The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
Cormorants. The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
The bay.
The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
Information table.
The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
Waterfowl in Ropotamo Complex. The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
Marsh.
The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
Ropotamo River.
The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
Ropotamo River.
The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
Ropotamo River.
The photo was taken during a field study part of the preparation of the Ropotamo Reserve Management Plan.
Ropotamo Complex, Dunes
Ropotamo Complex, Forest

Ropotamo Complex

  • Country: 
    Bulgaria
  • Site number: 
    65
  • Area: 
    3,384.6 ha
  • Designation date: 
    24-09-1975
  • Coordinates: 
    42°18'N 27°44'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Ropotamo Complex, on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast, is comprised of the downstream stretch and estuary of the Ropotamo River, seasonally flooded forests, small freshwater and brackish lagoons, sand dunes, a bay and various inlets. Because of its variety of habitats, the wetland is very biodiverse, hosting 60% of Bulgaria’s reptile species, 57% of its mammals, 60% of its freshwater fish and 50% of its nesting birds. 255 different bird species have been recorded. The Complex provides habitat for a number of threatened plants and animals, including the marbled duck, yelkouan shearwater, spotless shad (Alosa immaculata), European eel, Greek tortoise and thick grasshopper (Platypygius crassus). The main human uses are forestry, hunting, and recreational activities, and the wetland is a very popular tourist destination. Threats include urban development affecting the Alepu Marsh, unfavourable management practices, eutrophication, illegal poaching and forest logging.

Administrative region: 
Primorsko and Sozopol Municipalities, Burgas District of Bulgaria

  • National legal designation: 
    • Managed Reserve - Velyov Vir (Vodnite Lilii) (area of 13,6 ha, designated in 24.07.1962)
    • Natural Monument - Pyasachni Dyuni - Mestnost Alepu
    • Natural monument - Skalnite Obrazuvania,Fiordite I Tyulenovata Peshtera V Mestnost Maslen Nos
    • Protected Site - Beglik tash - Ropotamo
    • Protected Site - Blatoto Alepu
    • Protected Site - Stamopolu
    • Reserve - Ropotamo (area of 1000,7 ha, designated in 07.05.1992)
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • EU Natura 2000
  • Last publication date: 
    20-01-2020