THE DIARY GAME SEASON 3: BETTER LIFE 6 APRIL 2021 - A Day in Roussenski Lom Natural Park - Bulgaria II

It says that there are 877 species of plants in the park, of which 60 species of trees, shrubs and vines. There is a mixture of Central European, steppe and sub-Mediterranean elements here. Many steppe species are present in these habitats, both on plateaus and on rocky walls, but they also appear in dry areas on the lower step of the relief. Forests are also an important feature of the landscape and biodiversity of the area, being incredibly wild, although we are in Europe only 70 km from Bucharest!… And 350 km from Sofia. There are large forests of oak species (Quercus robur, Quercus delechampii, Quercus pubescens, Quercus cerris), in addition to which appear: Carpinus orientalis, Carpinus betulus, Fraxinus ornus, Tilia tomentosa, Acer tataricum, these forests have subshrubs consisting of shrubs wild rose / rosehip (Rosa canina), lilac (Siringa vulgaris), as well as a grassy layer with a great diversity in some areas. What is impressive in these forests is the huge amount of vines that make the area receive in many places a luxuriant jungle look that is difficult to penetrate without the necessary ‘determination’ (and a machete); the appearance is much more ‘tropical’ and ‘wild’ than in the Letea Forest in the Danube Delta, whose appearance given by lianas is so frequently mentioned. At the edges of the forest, or as shrubs on dry rocks, there are specimens of Paliurus spina-christi, species belonging to the genera Ligustrum, Crataegus, etc. Areas near the watercourse are dominated by Salix alba, Populus alba and Populus nigra.

Obviously, many plant species represent a great value for the conservation of biodiversity, being present here 30 Balkan endemisms and 3 subendemic species for the Balkans, at the same time an endemic species for Bulgaria. Orchids are represented here by 9 species. Two species of Bulgarian flora are present only here: Verbascum dieckianum and Polygala sibirica which was identified only in 1997 in Bulgaria, and only in Rousenski Lom where it is represented by about 150 specimens. In fact, this species of Verbascum (candle), with its beautiful yellow inflorescences, by its presence raises the aesthetic value of the landscape, appearing in large numbers in dry habitats. Admirable, very beautiful in size and imposing appearance, the huge bright yellow inflorescences are outlined on the shaded faces of the rock walls…

Among the arthropods, the scolopendra and the Carpathian scorpion are more interesting, as well as many species of insects, including the nun (Mantis religiosa), the snipe (Lucanus cervus), the nasicorn (Oryctes nasicornis), the great tailor (Cerambyx cerdo), as well as many others. important species for biodiversity conservation; Notable among the butterflies is the presence of Lycaena dispar and the Apollo butterfly (Parnassius mnemosyne) as well as the butterfly with the skull (Acherontia atropos).