Ecologia Balkanica

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p-ISSN: 1314-0213 / e-ISSN: 1313-9940

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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.
Analysis of medicinal plants from the regions of the Strandzha mountain and southern Black Sea Coast, Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-05-07) Todorov, Krasimir; Stoyanov, Plamen; Mladenov, Rumen; Gyuzeleva, Donika; Radoukova, Tzenka; Selyami, Dzhansu; Zhelyazkova, SImona; Mladenova, Tsvetelina
This article presents summarized information about the medicinal plants distributed on the territory of Strandzha mountain and the southern Black Sea coast, Bulgaria. According to literature data, 252 medicinal taxa are found on the territory of the two floristic regions, 218 of which are included in the Medicinal Plants Act. All species included in the list are characterized by: biological type, life form, and floral element. 59 plants have conservation status, representing 23.4% of the established species composition. According to the Red List of Higher Plants in Bulgaria and the Red Book of the Republic of Bulgaria, the following species are critically endangered (CR): Arbutus unedo L. and Sideritis syriaca L. Four Balkan endemics have been identified - Achillea clypeolata Sm., Opopanax chironius (L.) W. D. J. Koch subsp. bulgaricum (Velen.) Andreev, Sempervivum leucanthum Pančič, and Thymus longedentatus (Deg. & Urum.) Ronn.
Analysis of perennial temperature variations and behavioral ecology of insects for the region of the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-20) Ivanov, Plamen
Climate change is significantly affecting both natural ecosystems and human-managed systems on a global scale. The stressors associated with the Anthropocene are diverse and intricate, including invasive species, habitat degradation, pesticide application, and pollution. However, none of these stressors are as pervasive or interconnected with various other factors as climate change. Consequently, understanding the effects of anthropogenic climate change on natural systems is a paramount challenge for environmental sciences in the 21st century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines climate change as “a shift in the climate's state that can be recognized (using statistical methods) by alterations in the average and/or the variability of its attributes, persisting for a long time, generally for decades or longer”. This definition encompasses any changes in climate over time, whether resulting from natural variations or human-induced activities. Climate-related variables, such as temperature, water availability, and carbon dioxide levels, critically affect the characteristics of ecosystems that facilitate food production, including both freshwater and marine environments, agriculture, and forestry. Any fluctuations in these variables present a risk to global food security. This research, therefore, is crucial in understanding and mitigating this risk.
Analysis of Wild Edible Mushrooms in the Regions Strandzha and the Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-03-05) Radoukova, Tzenka; Stoyanov, Plamen; Mladenova, Tsvetelina; Mladenov, Rumen; Todorov, Krasimir; Rusinova-Videva, Snezhana
This article attempts to summarize the available data on wild edible macromycetes in the regions Strandzha and the Black Sea coast in connection with the clarification of ethnomycology. The total number of registered species of edible mushrooms for both areas is 105. The species Boletus caucasicus Singer ex Alessio; Boletus luridiformis Rostk. var. luridiformis and Laccaria bicolor (Maire) P.D. were noted only for the region of the Black Sea coast. The species composition, ecological-trophic structure and seasonality of edible mushrooms are briefly discussed. A list of 14 macroscopic edible fungi with conservation significance for the mycota of the two territories, assessed with the latest IUCN criteria, is given. Critically Endangered (CR) according to the Red List of fungi in Bulgaria and the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria was Boletus caucasicus Singer ex Alessio.
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.
Assessment of the quality of groundwater for irrigation in the municipality of Suharekë, Republic of Kosovo
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-04-28) Çadraku, Hazir; Shala, Agron; Xhafa, Sokol
This study evaluates groundwater quality for irrigation in Suharekë, Kosovo. Sixteen well samples were analyzed for cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+), anions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, HCO3-, CO32-), and irrigation quality indices (SAR, Na%, KR, MAR, PI, PS, RSC). Results indicate groundwater suitability for irrigation, with SAR (excellent), SP (excellent), KR (suitable), MAR (62.5% suitable, 37.5% unsuitable), PI (suitable), PS (excellent-good), and RSC supporting usability.
Bibliographic and scientific overview of publications on intraspecific diversity of molluscs of Albania
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-01-10) Dhora, Lulzime
This article provides a bibliographic and scientific overview of subspecies and forms in Albanian molluscs. Intraspecific diversity has to do with the levels of variation within species and is studied in individuals within the populations of a species or between populations. This article presents a profound overview of all existing published studies that we could find on the diversity in molluscs of Albania. The reviewed publications are presented in two groups: for subspecies with six published studies, as well as for forms, both in terms of polymorphism of individuals in population and population variation - with seven articles identified. The published knowledge of these phenomena is presented in every case in the form of a summary, extracted directly from the subject of the respective article, together with our own bibliographical indicia which facilitates researchers to use the correct published material that can be used from the reviewed studies. In the molluscs of Albania a high intraspecific diversity is ascertained, in terms of the diversity of subspecies and forms. Therefore, the reviewed publications can be used in terms of solving some problems of genetics, evolution, ecology, and zoogeography.
Blood biochemistry of White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) across Bulgaria: baseline data for conservation and rehabilitation
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-30) Petrov, Rusko
We obtained 175 blood samples from wild White Storks in Bulgaria, and determined the values of 18 indicators - alanine transaminase, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, aspartate transaminase, calcium, chloride, cholesterol, creatine kinase, creatinine, blood glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, magnesium, phosphorus, total bilirubin, total protein, triglycerides and uric acid. In this research, we compared those results with regards to the location from which the birds came from - we conditionally separated Bulgaria into four geographical regions, and to their age. We found statistically significant differences in two parameters - albumin, between northwestern and northeastern populations, and creatinine, between northeastern and southeastern populations. There was also a statistically significant difference in the albumin values between juvenile and adult storks, which we found to be decreasing with age.
Comparative leaf epidermis and molecular analyses of Micromeria dalmatica Bentham and Clinopodium vulgare L. from Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-05-08) Mladenova, Tsvetelina; Naimov, Samir; Apostolova, Elena; Stoyanov, Plamen; Mladenov, Rumen; Bivolarska, Anelia; Raycheva, Tsvetanka; Gyuzeleva, Donika; Pechanska, Adriana; Balabanova, Rada; Kuzdova, Demetra; Todorov, Krasimir
The volume and number of taxa within the genus Micromeria have changed over the past decades based on several molecular genetic studies. In the Bulgarian flora, no revision has been conducted, and the boundaries of the genus remain unclear. Molecular studies have shown that members of the section Pseudomelissa within the genus Micromeria are more closely related to the genus Clinopodium than to the typical section Micromeria. In the present study, anatomical investigations of the leaf epidermis were carried out, and the molecular genetic structure of Micromeria dalmatica was determined. Its phylogenetic relationship with Clinopodium vulgare was established based on sequences in the ITS1 and tRNA-Leu regions
Cyprus Lizards: Patterns of distribution, endemic species habitat suitability modelling and conservation implications
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-05-31) Svana, Kaliana; Zotos, Savvas; Kiamos, Nikolaos; Lymberakis, Petros; Mylonas, Moisis
Considering the limited information on the distribution of Cyprus’ lizards, especially on endemic and endangered species, herein we explore their spatial patterns, with the aim of addressing this knowledge gap and contributing to informed conservation of the species as they face increasing pressure and threats. We recorded the eleven species present on the island, belonging to five families, of which two are endemic species (i.e. Laudakia cypriaca, Phoenicolacerta troodica) and four are endemic sub-species (i.e. Ablepharus budaki budaki, Acanthodactylus schreiberi schreiberi, Mediodactylus orientalis fitzingeri, Ophisops elegans schlueteri), including one listed as endangered by IUCN. We present new species occurrences and maps for all species, resulting from our extensive systematic survey in 2009. As a novelty, for the lizards and the island, we conducted species distribution modelling (SDM) for five endemic taxa. We used the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt), with a combination of selected environmental predictors and user defined parameter settings. We provide potential habitat suitability maps and investigate the role of environmental predictors influencing the possible species’ distribution. We conclude that temperature, precipitation and vegetation have the most important influence in predicting habitat suitability. We propose five subregions, as a general pattern of differing habitat suitability for lizard species on the island. We discuss the added value and conservation implications of new knowledge and datasets we provide.
Density and composition of breeding bird communities in lowland forests
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-06-09) Hristova, Polina; Popgeorgiev, Georgi; Dobrev, Vladimir; Dobrev, Dobromir; Dimitrov, Hristo; Plachiyski, Dimitar
Bird communities were studied during three consecutive years (2020–2022) in forest fragments from the Western Upper Thracian lowland, Bulgaria. In total, 62 bird species with 4922 individuals were registered using point count methodology. Relative species abundance and frequency for all species was calculated. Density for the most abundant 19 species for the whole study area was estimated using DISTANCE software. Area-specific densities were estimated for nine species in nine of the studied forests. The results showed overall high species richness, which is consistent with other surveys in deciduous lowland forests. The most abundant species for the whole area made up to 61% of all registered species (Luscinia megarhynchos, Fringilla coelebs, Streptopelia turtur, Turdus merula, Oriolus oriolus, Sylvia atricapilla). The estimated densities were consistent with other studies in similar forest habitats. Species with the highest density was found to be Great tit D = 1.29 (1.14 – 1.46), followed by Hawfinch, European turtle dove, Common chaffinch, European robin and Blackbird, whereas specialist species (e.g. forest-interior) were less abundant. Eurasian hoopoe was found with lower densities for the whole territory D = 0.27 (0.23 – 0.31), while the Robin had the highest estimation for the forest of Begovo D = 2.28 (1.36 – 3.85).
Development of a system for continuous environmental noise monitoring (Smolyan, Bulgaria)
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-04-15) Hadzhigenchev, Svetoslav; Lyubomirov, Slavi; Shotarova, Snezha; Nikolov, Bogdan; Petrova, Slaveya
Noise pollution is generally regarded as an exposure of people or wildlife to levels of sound that are annoying, stressful, or damaging to the organism. Humans are exposed to noise constantly, from barely audible levels to potentially painful and damaging levels. Cities and agglomerations are subjected to the environmental noise pollution in a greater extent, so the smaller towns and villages are usually neglected in such monitoring studies. The aim of the present study was to: 1) develop a system for continuous environmental noise monitoring; 2) test and validate the system in the urban area of Smolyan town, Bulgaria; 3) assess the level of noise pollution based on systematic measurements. A simple system for continuous environmental noise monitoring has been developed. The system uses budget noise meters, class 2 (verified to be effective enough), placed in special cells for protection from atmospheric influences. The analogue signal from the sound meters is digitized and processed by a microcontroller to obtain the equivalent noise levels. This data is transmitted through an Ethernet controller to ThingSpeak, an IoT application and API for storing and retrieving data using HTTP protocols. Data from the continuous monitoring proved the existence of a significant environmental noise pollution in Smolyan (both in the central part and residential areas), which was almost permanent during twenty-four hours and all year round.
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.
Ecological effects of changes in Air-Fuel Ratio of a gasoline engine on exhaust harmful gases emissions
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-06-16) Kanevski, Hristo; Lyubomirov, Slavi; Asenov, Svetoslav; Parushev, Anatoliy; Petrova, Slaveya
The present study examines the effect of the air-fuel mixture ratio on harmful emissions from a gasoline engine, analyzed from an ecological perspective. The experiments were carried out with a BMW 318 gasoline engine equipped with a MegaSquirt 3 electronic control unit and TunerStudio MS software, as well as a Kane AUTOplus gas analyzer. The concentrations of three gaseous pollutants - carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC), were measured at different engine speeds and different air-fuel ratios. The obtained data were used to compile regression equations that describe the relationship between the air-fuel mixture ratio and the harmful emissions levels. The results show significant changes in gaseous pollutants’ emissions depending on engine settings, which highlights the importance of optimizing these parameters to reduce both the environmental pollution and greenhouse gases levels into the atmosphere.
Ecological effects of changes in the ignition angle of a gasoline engine on exhaust harmful gases emissions
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-05-28) Kanevski, Hristo; Lyubomirov, Slavi; Asenov, Stanislav; Shehova, Daniela
The present study reports the results from a real experiments of the impact of the ignition angle on the harmful exhaust gases emitted by a gasoline engine. The experiments were carried out with a BMW 318 gasoline engine equipped with a MegaSquirt 3 electronic control unit and TunerStudio MS software, as well as a Kane AUTOplus gas analyzer. The main emissions considered in the study include some greenhouse gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC). The emissions of harmful gases were measured at 7 different engine speeds and 9 different ignition angles. The obtained data were used to compile regression equations that describe the relationship between the ignition angle, engine speed and the harmful emissions levels. The obtained results and derived equations offer specific recommendations for optimization of the ignition angle to minimize harmful emissions and improve the environmental performance of gasoline engines.
Evaluation of the water quality of the rivers used for the irrigation of the Korçë field, Albania
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-06-27) Maho, Adrian; Ajҫe, Sulltane; Mero, Gjergji; Skenderasi, Besnik
Water from multiple sources, including rivers, streams, springs, lakes, irrigation reservoirs and groundwater is used to irrigate agricultural crops. Crop productivity depends not only on sufficient amount of water, but also on its good quality. The quality of irrigation water affects not only plant productivity but also product quality and food safety. The study conducted a dynamic assessment of the water quality of two main rivers, the Devoll River and the Dunavec River, which are used for the irrigation of the Korçë field, Albania. The study evidenced the impact that human activity has on water pollution of these various chemicals during the use of water for family purposes, the disposal of waste into rivers, the treatment of agricultural plants with pesticides, and the cutting down of forests. The analyses of physico-chemical and biological indicators were performed according to standard methods in the Agro-food laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Fan Noli University, Korçë. The indicators resulting from the analysis were compared with the standards set by FAO for irrigation water quality and EU Regulation 2020/741. The pollution of the ecosystem of these rivers has led deterioration in their quality indicators. Interventions in wastewater treatment, reforestation, the introduction of biological methods for combating diseases and pests, and the ecological awareness of communities are contributions towards improving the quality of river waters.
Evaluation soil erosion risk in mountain catchment by two empirical models
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-04-20) Pavlova-Traykova, Eli; Mitova, Milena
Productive capacity of soils is seriously affected by erosion, causing significant environmental damages. Soil erosion led to instability in ecosystems and decline in agriculture productivity as well as in forest territories. The negative anticipation about climate hesitation for acceleration soil erosion shows the need for monitoring the condition of the soils and taking adequate measures to reduce the risk. For that reason, different models for assessing soil erosion risk and determining potential levels of erosion are strongly advocated in researches. Two of the well-known and commonly used empirical models for the territory of Balkans are Erosion Potential Method (EPM) and Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The objective of the research is to apply EPM and USLE models at the Sedelska River watershed, tributary of Struma River (Southwest Bulgaria), to assess soil erosion risk and investigate its spatial distribution. The results of the two methods are compared, finding that the EPM method slightly underestimates the final results compared to the USLE methodology. In both models, the territories with the strongest erosion risk were determined, and some of them coincide. When applying the USLE, it was found that the largest area of the research site is occupied by the lands on which a low actual risk is observed (47.10%). From the results obtained when applying the EPM, the watershed falls into the third degree of the Gavrilovich scale - a watershed with moderate erosion. The average amount of soil eroded assess with EPM is 3 t/ha/y. According to USLE the average potential risk with amounts of eroded soil of 100-200 t/ha y.
First record of chestnut blight on Quercus petraea (Fagaceae) in Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-03-18) Filipova, Eva; Manova, Vasilissa; Bonchev, Georgi; Boycheva, Irina; Georgieva, Margarita
Chestnut blight is one of the most destructive diseases on species of Castanea genus (Fagaceae). The causal agent of the disease is the ascomycete fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (Valsaceae). In the period 2018-2020, chestnut blight was found on both European (sweet) chestnut (Castanea sativa) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea) trees in mixed chestnut-oak stands planted in the region of State Forest Enterprise (SFE) Simitli (Pirin Mt.) and SFE Petrich (Belasitsa Mt.). The present study provides new data on the first detection of damage caused by Cryphonectria parasitica on Quercus petraea plantations in southwestern Bulgaria. The frequency and impact of the disease, the variety of vegetative compatibility types of the pathogen, as well as the molecular identification and mating type of the pathogen from oak samples were characterized.
Influence of Camelina crops on soil CO2 emissions
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2025-02-03) Petrova, Slaveya; Stanchev, Georgi; Marcheva, Marina; Popov, Vladislav
The Green Deal poses different challenges for EU agriculture, and this production will cost more and will be reflected on the global market once agriculture is included in the emissions trading system. Sustainable land management will be crucial to achieving the EU's climate neutrality target by 2050, as it will increase the amount of carbon captured and stored in plants and soils. Agriculture’s role in carbon sequestration is most closely linked to soil as a carbon sink. Soils have the potential to act as significant carbon sinks, storing carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as CO2. Through practices such as cover crops, reduced tillage, and organic farming, farmers can improve soil carbon sequestration, contributing to climate mitigation efforts. The aim of the present study was to track the dynamics of soil CO2 emissions during the vegetation of Camelina in different intercropping systems and, on this basis, to evaluate the possibilities for sustainable management of carbon in the soil. After the three-year studies, we can recommend the use of Camelina as monocultures and especially in mixed crops with legumes as a step towards sustainable management of CO2 emissions and towards the so-called carbon agriculture. This approach has the additional advantage of biologically nourishing the soil with nitrogen, as well as creating more favorable conditions for the development of the soil microbiome.
Investigation of the radioactivity of soils collected from Shumen Plateau Nature Park, Bulgaria
(Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski", 2024-05-20) Arhangelova, Nina; Salim, Seniha
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of radioactivity, radiological doses and the increased lifetime risk of cancer of radionuclides contained in soils collected from the territory of Shumen Plateau Nature Park, (North-Eastern Bulgaria). A gamma spectrometric system was used to estimate the natural radionuclides. The average values for the specific activities for 238U, 232Th, 40K measured in soils were 28.65 ± 4.30 Bq/kg, 18.86 ± 2.83 Bq/kg and 609.09 ± 91.36 Bq/kg, respectively. Only the average value for 40K was higher than the documented worldwide values of, respectively 35 Bq/kg, 30 Bq/kg and 400 Bq/kg. We calculated the average values for assessing radiological hazards: radium equivalent activity 102.52 Bq/kg, external hazard index 0.28 Bq/kg, internal hazard index 0.35 Bq/kg, absorbed gamma dose rate in air 52.04 nGy/h, annual effective dose rate 0.32 mSv/y, total excess lifetime cancer risk 1.95 × 10-3 and radioactivity level index 0.79 mSv. The average values we obtained for radiological indices and specific activities are lower than the global average values quoted in UNSCEAR 2000.

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