On the eve of Forest Week, we recall the most important facts about Bulgarian forests, which are rarely discussed. The fact that today Bulgaria is a leader in Europe in terms of biodiversity and preserved forests is due to the activities of foresters. Did you know that the average age of Bulgarian forests is 60 years? It is also little known that after the Liberation, forests occupied only 20% of the territory of our country, many of them were cut down, others died in fires and various disasters. Over a century later, however, they are doing very well, and the data proves it more than convincingly. This is indicated by the Branch Chamber of the Woodworking and Furniture Industry.
Statistics show that 38.5% of the territory of Bulgaria is occupied by forests. Nearly 35% of them are protected, and 10% are under strict protection. According to data from the Forestry Executive Agency (IAG), for the last 100 years, forests have increased their territory by almost 2 times. Over a period of 60 years, their stock has grown 3 times (from 243 million m3 to 718 million m3 in 2020). In the last 20 years alone, the registered increase is over 30%.
The data also show that we are in second place in Europe in terms of protected areas in NATURA 2000. Bulgaria has fulfilled all the objectives of the EU Forest Strategy 2030 regarding the protection of “old (primary) forests or forests in phase of old age“.
It is also a little known fact that almost half of the forests in our country are coppices and their root system is old. ¼ of them were created artificially as a result of planned forestry actions. Scientists in our country claim that a large part of the Bulgarian forests are aging and need timely care. If we fall behind in the implementation of forestry plans, as is currently the case, we put forests at risk of aging and declining growth. The life cycle of the forest resembles the human life cycle – when it is young, it grows quickly, respectively it consumes more (absorbs carbon dioxide), in maturity it reproduces, and when it ages, it becomes more vulnerable to all kinds of influences.
Science is categorical that managed forests are more resistant to fires, insect attacks, wind breakers, snow breakers, etc. than those lacking activity and care. Therefore, it is important that the care for the forest is adequate and that it is applied by foresters. The forest must be managed respecting its three main functions – social, environmental and economic. If it is not managed sustainably, its density can become too high and reduce the growth space, which is a serious problem because there is a risk that the trees will die.
It is also important not to forget that the forest is a renewable natural resource. The basis of its sustainable management is the principle that the use of wood must be within the framework of the annual growth. According to good European practices, sustainable forest management implies 75-80% wood yield compared to growth. For comparison, 50-55% are mined in Bulgaria. Foresters are adamant that this trend is not favorable and is already affecting the state of forests in our country, as growth is decreasing for the first time in decades. It is extremely important for Bulgaria to implement an effective forest management policy and to launch a national inventory that will establish the real stocks in the forests.