Researches of Field Evidence for Late Quaternary Climate Changes in the Highest Mountains of Bulgaria - Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions: Southeastern Europe - page 154

12.7 Conclusion
Bulgarian high mountains Rila and Pirin provide valuable field evidence for
estimations of past climatic conditions. Available geomorphic traces from past
glaciations suggest that during the coldest phase of LGM average temperatures
were at least 6 ◦ C lower than at present and during the Little Ice Age - 1 to 1.5 ◦ C
lower than at present.
Today the Alpine zone represents a marginal environment with intensive occur-
rence of geomorphic processes which can serve as a tool to assess present climate
fluctuations. On this basis Musala area is included in the global network of
SEDIBUD test sites for establishment of monitoring of these processes following
a standardized methodology.
One of the most sensitive field indicators for current environmental changes are
perennial snow bodies (microglaciers). At present marginal position of Alpine zone
determines an absence of such features in the highest areas of Rila and their presence
in Pirin at lower altitudes, due to specific lithology and topography. Researches in
Musala cirque (Rila) and Golemia Kazan cirque (Pirin) show that a very little change
towards cooler and damper climate conditions will cause formation of microglaciers
in Rila, while further warming and drying will threaten the existence of perennial
snow patches in Pirin.
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