DSpace 7
DSpace is the world leading open source repository platform that enables organisations to:
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- issue permanent urls and trustworthy identifiers, including optional integrations with handle.net and DataCite DOI
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Recent Submissions
Air quality control in Plovdiv, Bulgaria: the citizens' awareness. Results from a pilot quantitative study
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-29) Mitev, Tihomir; Tchalakov, Ivan; Keskinova, Donka; Parapanov, Petar
Air pollution is a leading risk factor for individual and public health. It is a major environmental stressor responsible for hundreds of thousands of premature deaths in Europe every year. Monitoring and controlling air quality is about the importance of managing public health, as is ensuring people are aware of the dangers of polluted air and getting them involved in the issue. The article presents a summary of the results and data analysis from a pilot study conducted in May-June 2025 on the awareness, interest, personal engagement, and assessment of citizens in Plovdiv (Bulgaria) – one of the most polluted cities in Europe – regarding the control of air quality in the city.
Tautomerism influence on QSAR/QSPR modelling of ecotoxicity and physicochemical properties of chemical compounds
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-29) Kochev, Nikolay; Paskaleva, Vesselina; Jeliazkova, Nina
The OECD guidelines for QSAR/QSPR (Quantitative Structure Activity/Property Relationship) modelling and ecotoxicity testing play a significant role in ecological studies by providing standardised, scientifically validated methods to assess the environmental impact of chemicals. Laboratory and terrain tests are combined with QSAR/QSPR models, ensuring consistency, reliability and support for regulatory acceptance, enabling screening and prioritisa-tion, global harmonisation and promotion of alternatives to animal testing. Tautomerism is a fundamental structural phenomenon that can significantly influence the predictive reliability of QSAR/QSPR models used for assessing ecotoxicity and physicochemical properties of chemical compounds. We examine how tautomeric variation affects molecular descriptors, data curation, and model performance. We propose practical incorporation of tautomer information into the model development and cheminformatics pipelines to enhance predictive accuracy and regulatory applicability. By generating exhaustive tautomeric ensembles, our approach sup-ports QSAR/QSPR modelling in line with OECD guidelines for regulatory ecotoxicity endpoints, contributing to the development of robust in silico predictions. By addressing the challenges posed by tautomerism, this work advances the use of computational methods in sustainable chemical safety assessment and supports innovation in non-testing approaches.
Protected Areas as a Context for Effective Science Communication and the Development of Sustainability Competences
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-29) Epitropova, Ani
This study analyses how Bulgarian protected areas can serve as platforms for meaningful science communication and as dynamic contexts for developing sustainability competences and supporting environmental conservation efforts. It focuses on how pre-service education students carry out science communication using digital tools and engage with ecological knowledge, how they interpret and communicate information from primary sources related to Bulgarian protected areas, and to what extent this process supports the development of sustainability competences in line with the GreenComp framework. The analysis covers 49 students’ projects focused on protected areas, developed within a structured educational model specifically designed for the study. The analytical approach focuses on three dimensions: (1) scientific accuracy and completeness of the ecological content—including accurate identification of systematic groups, characterized species of flora and fauna, specific ecosystems, and threats; (2) strategies used to communicate scientific information to non-specialist audiences; and (3) the extent to which students demonstrate key sustainability competences, aligned with the GreenComp framework, including: sustainability knowledge, systems thinking, critical thinking, personal and collective responsibility, collaboration, and initiative. The findings reveal competent patterns in information selection, use of visual and emotional tools, and consistent use of scientifically accurate language. Most students present the characteristics of the protected areas in a detailed, engaging, and scientifically sound manner, demonstrating contextual awareness of local environmental challenges and conservation priorities. These patterns support the use of GreenComp not only as a policy instrument but also as a useful analytical tool for measuring ecological awareness and engagement in academic settings. The study contributes to understanding how science communication and competence development intersect in educational settings, positioning future teachers as key mediators between ecology and society.
Applying DNA barcoding and ecological DNA approaches for biodiversity monitoring in aquatic ecosystems
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-29) Apostolova, Elena; Iliev, Iliya
Molecular ecology is reshaping traditional perspectives on natural systems by integrating advanced molecular techniques into ecological research. This integration offers novel insights into long-standing ecological questions and supports the development of more effective conservation strategies and sustainable resource management. The advent of DNA barcoding, which enables precise species identification using short, standardised genomic regions, has significantly improved taxonomic resolution, particularly for taxa with ambiguous or unresolved classifications. In parallel, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is revolutioni-sing biodiversity monitoring by facilitating the detection of organisms directly from environmental samples, without the need for physical specimen collection. Together, DNA barcoding and eDNA represent a powerful, non-invasive, and efficient toolkit for studying biodiversity, especially in aquatic ecosystems, where traditional survey methods are often constrained. This review synthesises recent advances in the application of these molecular approaches to aquatic biodiversity monitoring, with a focus on their underlying principles, practical applications, methodological challenges, and prospects.
Documentation of the Smooth Snake, Coronella austriaca (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Euboea Island, Greece
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-28) Strachinis, Ilias; Kalogiannis, Stamatios; Katsiyiannis, Philippos; Kouelis, Charis; Stefanopoulos, Platon; Tzoras, Elias
Euboea, the second-largest island of Greece, supports a diverse range of habitats and remains faunistically understudied, despite its proximity to the mainland and the capital of Greece, Athens. We document the first verified records of the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) on Euboea, based on two individuals observed on Mounts Xirovouni and Dirfi. The species is known in Greece only from mainland areas and has also been historically reported from Samothrace Island based on a single museum specimen. The presence of C. austriaca on Euboea expands the known insular distribution of this predominantly mainland species. Our findings highlight the biogeographical importance of Euboea and underscore the need for further surveys to understand better the distribution, habitat use, and conservation status of C. austriaca, and possibly other overlooked reptile species on the island.