Climate Chaos and its Impact on Birds in Bulgaria – Interview with Dr. Dimitar Plachiyski (BSPB)

In recent years, the term “climate chaos” is increasingly used to describe climate change, which has a negative impact on all living organisms, including birds. This was stated in an interview with BTA by Dr. Dimitar Plachiyski from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB).

According to him, a clear increase in temperatures has been registered worldwide, with 2024 and 2025 marking peaks in the warming of the Earth's surface and oceans, as well as in the melting of glaciers. These processes lead to the destruction and severe damage of natural habitats and to the increase in extreme weather events, which are already being observed in Bulgaria, the expert pointed out.

One of the key instruments at the European Union level for mitigating climate change and stopping the loss of biodiversity is the Nature Restoration Regulation, adopted in 2024, Plachiyski said for the BTA rubric “EU Law BG”. By 2030, the priority will be the restoration of habitats within the pan-European ecological network “Natura 2000”.

Under the regulation, member states, including Bulgaria, must prepare national plans, in which specific measures for the restoration of biodiversity should be laid down. They are also obliged to monitor and report progress based on clearly defined indicators. Agriculture is among the sectors with the most significant impact on nature, Plachiyski emphasized.

One of the key indicators is the farmland bird index, which shows that since 2005, their number in Bulgaria has decreased by 41%. The reasons are related to the plowing of grassy areas, their conversion into arable land, the use of pesticides, as well as the removal of shrubs and hedges. This makes it difficult to find food and leads to changes in the habitats of a number of species. 

The specific impact of climate change is clearly observed in a number of bird species in the country, Plachiyski pointed out. Due to the warmer winters and the lack of permanent snow cover, the number of wintering geese has significantly decreased. “About 25 years ago, we counted over 20,000 geese at the Pyasachnik reservoir. Currently, the number of the greater white-fronted goose there is between 200 and 500 individuals,” he gave as an example.

Another illustrative case is the red-breasted goose. In the late 90s and in the period 2010–2013, Bulgaria maintained up to 97% of the world population of this endangered species during the winter. In recent years, however, due to the lack of snow cover and the conservation measures taken along the migratory route of the species north of the country, these birds almost do not reach Bulgaria.

The increasing number of natural fires in the Balkans and in the country also has a serious negative impact on birds and biodiversity, Plachiyski pointed out. An additional factor is the decrease in the availability of fresh water in nature.

According to the expert, in order to achieve real progress in the restoration of nature, the national plan must be harmonized with other strategic documents – including the development plans for agriculture and rural areas and the national plans for renewable energy sources. Such coordination is also laid down in the regulation itself, he added.

With regard to renewable energy, Plachiyski noted that the increase in so-called “green” production often comes at the expense of disrupting natural ecosystems. “A major public discussion is needed when there is a mismatch between the development of renewable energy sources and the preservation of species habitats,” he pointed out. The construction of wind and solar parks on agricultural land and forests, according to environmentalists, undermines the ecological meaning of renewable sources.

Plachiyski further emphasized that although the share of energy from renewable sources is increasing, this is not accompanied by a sufficiently significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels, which hinders the achievement of sustainable development.

At the national level, member states are bound by specific deadlines for the implementation of the nature restoration regulation. The national plans must be submitted to the European Commission by September 1, 2026. Within six months, Brussels will return comments and recommendations, after which the countries will have another six months to reflect them and integrate them into their strategic documents.