Impact of Settlements on the Landscapes of Slavyanka Mountain (South-Western Bulgaria)

Atanas KITEV*¹
* Corresponding author
¹ Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography, Sofia, BULGARIA
E-mail: atanaskitev@abv.bg
Pages: 65-69. URL: https://geografie.ubbcluj.ro/ccau/jssp/arhiva_si3_2014/09JSSPSI032014.pdf

Cite: Kitev A. (2014), Impact of Settlements on the Landscapes of  Slavyanka Mountain (South-Western Bulgaria). Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning, Special Issue 3, 65-69. URL: https://geografie.ubbcluj.ro/ccau/jssp/arhiva_si3_2014/09JSSPSI032014.pdf

Abstract. The research area covers the northern slope of Slavyanka Mountain in South-western Bulgaria. The settlement network includes the villages of Petrovo, Yanovo, Goleshovo, Lehovo, Paril, and Nova Lovcha. The villages have a long history and since their establishment they have influenced the nature of the mountain. The presence of caves in the area shows evidences of ancient mining. East of Paril village, traces of the early Iron Age period have been found. Archaeological data indicate that Petrovo, Paril, and other villages were formed during the Roman Empire. The agricultural activities have changed depending on the social conditions. Studies show that in the period of 14th – 17th century, pottery and agriculture were highly developed along with intense livestock breeding. More intensive development occurred in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century and these activities continue nowadays, even though in decreased intensity. Particularly serious damages of mountain environment were caused in the mid-twentieth century. Among the most important anthropogenic disturbances we mention the extraction of marble, carried out in quarries of different size. Another aspect of human activity is connected to the forest roads in the mountain. They are numerous man-made byways and they significantly impact the landscapes. The border line between Bulgaria and Greece is also subject to linear transformation of landscape. The anthropogenic activities have had significant impact on landscapes in the Slavyanka Mountain. The mountain itself has several protected areas out of which the “Alibotush” Biosphere Reserve is the most notable one.

K e y w o r d s: land use, land cover, landscapes, remote sensing, Slavyanka Mountain