Özet:

The assessment and mapping of ecosystems and their services is considered an important action that effectively contributes to proper understanding of how ecosystems support human well-being, and furthermore ndash; to promote the sustainable use of natural resources. The diversity of cultural landscapes, especially in mountain areas, is a significant prerequisite for a variety of cultural ecosystem services that are valuable for the society. This evaluation is the basis for environmental management practices and policymaking. The study presents an approach for assessment and mapping of cultural ecosystem service (CES) ldquo;Cultural heritagerdquo; that is recognised as important and is provided by mountain protected areas (PAs) in ldquo;Pirinrdquo; National Park. The data from the Management Plan of ldquo;Pirinrdquo; NP were used for characterization and biophysical assessment of the condition of forest ecosystems and their potential to provide CESs. The analysis of the results revealed that the conservation regime allowed the territories to preserve a high degree of naturalness and a very good ecological condition as 94.80% of forest ecosystems are assessed with score 4 ndash;ldquo;goodrdquo; condition and 0.44% are with ldquo;very goodrdquo; condition ndash; score 5. The majority of forest ecosystems with ldquo;very goodrdquo; ecological condition are Pinus peuce forests, located mainly on the territory of the reserves ldquo;Bayuvi Dupki- Dzhindzhiritsardquo; and ldquo;Yulenrdquo;, proving the importance of the protective regime of the territories. Forest ecosystems with average and high capacity to provide ES quot;Cultural heritagequot; prevailed, which is consistent with well-preserved and unique nature, the diversity of landscapes, and species richness. Considerable areas were assessed with score 5 ndash; very high capacity, mostly on the territory of the reserves ldquo;Bayuvi Dupki- Dzhindzhiritsardquo; and ldquo;Yulenrdquo;, and at the foothill of the huts.

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