DETECTING THE INFLUENCE OF FORESTS ON WATER RESOURCES IN BULGARIA

Abstract

Bulgarian forests are part of the national wealth and national identity. Their economic, social and ecological functions are important for the sustainable development of society and for improvement of living conditions especially in rural and mountainous regions. To a large extent these functions are irreplaceable not only in a national but also in a global aspect. In this connection in the present paper a structural-functional characterization of Bulgarian forest territories is done. Actual data on the area of forests, wood stock, wood increment and distribution of forests by functions are presented. Regarding the last one, the attention is focused on concise characteristics of forests with water protection functions on the territory of Bulgaria and water resources of the country. On the basis of the above, the guiding hypothesis for the study is formulated, namely: there is a correlation between the area of forest territories in Bulgaria and the territory occupied by water and water bodies. The verification is carried out by means of a correlation analysis, which is based on data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on the areas of forest territories and territories occupied by water and water bodies in 23 districts from level NUTS-3 in Bulgaria in 2021. Regarding the area occupied by water and water bodies, it should be clarified that according to NSI it includes plots for watercourses, water bodies and available water facilities.