Issues

Abstract

 University of Forestry Sofia has the pleasure to invite you to participate in the International Scientific Conference 'Forestry: Bridge to the Future', which will take place on 6-9 May 2015 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The venue of the Conference will be Park Hotel Moskva, Sofia. The Conference is dedicated to the 90th Anniversary of higher forestry education in Bulgaria and is organized by the University of Forestry, Sofia and Faculty of Forestry. The Conference sessions will be focused to various topics, starting from global problems like impact of climate change on forests, forest ecology and dynamics to applied issues related to management and use of forest resources. Eminent keynote speakers will take part in the work of Conference: Kevin O'HARA (University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA), Jean-Luc PEYRON (ECOFOR, France), Marcus LINDNER (European Forest Institute, Germany/Finland), and Ivan RAEV (Forest Research Institute, Sofia, Bulgaria). Further information about the Conference concerning all details of registration, accommodation, program, and abstract submission can be found on the official conference web-site: http://conf2015.forestry-ideas.info
We look forward to meet you in Sofia in May 2015.  

Abstract

Forest vertical structure is a characteristic which is of interest for many disciplines and is often discussed in the context of forest ecosystems management. The vertical stratification of tree crowns influences the growth of the single tree and also it determinates the communities thriving beneath the canopy. Close to nature forest management demands the application of silvicultural activities that will maintain the natural structure of the forest. With regard to this, the quantitative assessment of the vertical structure is a particularly important feature. Forest vertical structure is biologically important also because of its relationship with biodiversity. However, the present methods for quantitative analysis are either randomly determined and do not characterize the natural stratification of canopy stand, or they are too time consuming and are developed for analysis on landscape level. The TSTRAT program has been developed in order to define tree stratification in vertical space at stand level. Another approach used for evaluation of structural heterogeneity of stands is the use of different types of indexes. The most commonly applied indexes for vertical structure assessment are FHD index, Gini index, Shanon-Winen index, Pielou index and STVI. The connection between them and the canopy layer determined by TSTRAT, has not yet been clarified. The correlation between different indexes and canopy stratification determined by TSTRAT is being analyzed in this article. Through the execution of multiple simulations on Monte-Carlo method were determined the bootstrap intervals for each index.

Abstract

The paper analyses treatment options for sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment plants and the available options for its recovery and disposal in the country. In parallel, a review of existing legislation concerning the use/utilization of sewage sludge for various purposes is done. Currently, treatment of sludge generated in the Republic of Bulgaria is mainly carried out through landfill or improper disposal and a very small quantity is used in agriculture. The need to seek other approaches to the sustainable management of sewage sludge is defined by two main factors: increasing the amount of sludge from urban wastewater treatment and compliance with requirements of Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfills. Given the availability of sufficient quantities of sludge from wastewater treatment plants (stabilised properly) they could be regarded as a valuable energy resource. 

Abstract

A methodology for determining of ecological conditions in forest ecosystems in order to assess their future variations under expected climate change has been developed. Complex index for ecological conditions (Kec) was established including hydrothermal (precipitations, temperature and duration of drought period in the region), soil (depth and erosion) and relief (exposure and inclination of slope) parameters. The expected changes of climatic elements were assessed based on data from climatic scenarios. Model verification was performed for Sedelska River basin, a tributary of Struma River, South-western Bulgaria. Distribution and division into 5 groups of main tree species within the watershed area was performed in accordance to the values of Kec. Distribution of forest ecosystems in groups according to expected ecological conditions for the period of 2021-2049 and 2071-2099 was established and their spatial distribution for Sedelska River basin was mapped. It was established that nowadays about 30 % of stands and forest plantations are in the first group - under 'bad' ecological conditions. The results showed that for the period 2021-2049 the area of these forests will increase and will reach 36.9 %, and for the period 2071-2099 more than the half of these forest ecosystems (51.2 %) will be under 'bad' ecological conditions. 

Abstract

CORINE Land Cover 2012 Bulgaria is a part of the Pan-European project CORINE Land Cover (CLC). Experts from 39 countries participate in this GMES/Copernicus program's project. The main aim of the project is to identify and map the changes of land cover/land use for the period 2006-2012 using multitemporal/multispectral satellite imagery. Harmonized methodology with a 44 class nomenclature and a computer assisted photo-interpretation are applied for creating a geospatial database of Bulgarian territory for the year 2012. In addition to the CLC work, a task for evaluation of fie igh esoltio Layers (L) is iclded. hey are comlemetary to CLC ad roide iformatio o secific lad coer characteristics degree of imeriosess forest, ermaet grasslands, wetlands and permanent water bodies. A brief description of the applied methodology and the main results achieved are presented. The whole Bulgarian territory is mapped in details adequate for the 1:100 000 scale with a minimum mapping unit of 25 ha and a minimum change area of 5 ha. For the investigated period (2006-2012) dominant changes are observed in forests and semi-natural areas -  27,628 ha or 54.65 % of all changes, followed by agricultural lands (21 618 ha or 42.76 %). The statistical analysis of the created databases and a comparison between main land cover changes for the 1990-2000, 2000-2006 and 2006-2012 time periods are discussed. The average annual land cover change rate is 0.17 % which positions Bulgaria among the majority of the European countries having relatively small land cover changes. 

Abstract

Food waste is a serious global problem that leads to negative environmental, social and financial impacts. Worldwide losses of food in the stages of production, transportation, retail and consumption of food are significant - a third of the annual production output falls in the waste stream. A quantification of food waste in the country is presented in the paper. An analysis of the possibilities for sustainable management of food waste in Bulgaria by introducing measures to prevent its generation, separate collection implementation and application of proven technologies such as composting and anaerobic digestion, to ensure protection of the environment and human health is done. 

Abstract

Forest fires in Bulgaria are frequent in recent years, especially when summer droughts are prolonged. The carbon biogeochemical cycle is the most sensible to forest fires. The goal of the present investigation was to study the changes in the quantity and stocks of soil organic carbon in result of the forest fire, occurred on the territory of Biosphere Reserve (BR) 'Bistrishko branishte' and 'Vitoshko lale' in Vitosha Mountain during the summer of 2012. Both territories of Vitosha Natural Park, affected by fires in year 2012 have been mapped. It was established that the total carbon content in the soils in Biosphere Reserve 'Bistrishko branishte' and 'Vitoshko lale' area decreased significantly as a consequence of the fire. This diminution is more substantial for Biosphere Reserve 'Bistrishko branishte' - about 7 %. The fires have led to a significant decrease of organic carbon stocks (ΔSOCstock) in both regions - respectively with about 22 tC.ha-1 for BR 'Bistrishko branishte' and from 8.0 tC.ha-1 to 25 tC.ha-1 for 'Vitoshko lale'. In only one sampling area in 'Vitoshko lale', an increase in the carbon stocks by about 10 tC.ha-1 has been registered. 

Abstract

We assessed a forest road impact on the diversity and the composition of herbaceous plant communities in the forest road margins, referring to illuminance and soil moisture percentage, to understand which of them is more important after more than 50 years from the building of the road. For this purpose six transects of approximately one kilometer length parallel to the forest road were established. Along each transect, 15 square sample plots of 1m2 each were chosen by systematic random sampling. The average cover of herbaceous species on the cut and fill slopes was significantly higher than that inside the forest and that of the roadsides. There wasn't a significant correlation between biodiversity indicators and illuminance and soil moisture percentage. Entering invasive species altered the composition of the herbaceous cover and increased the richness of species on cut and fill slopes. Roadside plots under completely closed canopies of edge trees since the road has been built, have returned to original composition of the forest vegetation, showing contents similar to that of the forest plots. 

Abstract

Processing residues from agriculture for energy production or exploitation of useful materials allows reconnection of crop production and animal husbandry. It becomes also a prerequisite for achieving sustainable agriculture. One of the most common technologies is the anaerobic digestion of plant and animal residues and wastes (manure, straw). As a result of the process, biogas (methane up to 80 %) is produced. This could be used further as fuel for transportation and heating, and in availability of a generator also for electricity production. The fermentation residues are biomass containing essential elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and could be used further as fertilizer. 

Abstract

Forest villagers are one of the poorest people in Turkey. Almost 7,8 million people live in forest villages. That's why agroforestry is very strategic tool for supporting this people. In recent years, General Directorate of Forestry in Turkey has given very much importance to establish 'Honey Forest'. For this reason, various trees and shrubs are used in different regions. The objective of this paper is to present information about convenient species for establishing 'Honey Forest' in different regions and as a special honey production in the natural Pinus brutia forests in the Mediterranean forests of Turkey. Moreover, one fourth of all the honey produced in Turkey is directly from pines, especially from Forestry Regional Directorate of Mugla. Having about 5 million beehive and approx. 80,000-90,000 tons of honey production, Turkey is an important country for honey production. However, the 16-17 kg production for each beehive is lower than the world average (20-22 kg/beehive). As a result, all agroforestry systems in Turkey need scientific support, institutional financing and legal arrangements to stimulate the increase of production. Promotion of agroforestry in Turkey will help the country to solve various problems, such as environmental degradation, lack of food security, and deforestation.

Abstract

The paper presents results from investigation on soil texture changes caused by forest fires in the Northwestern region of Bulgaria. Gray Forest soils (Gray Luvisols, FAO 1990) influenced by strong surface fire and weak surface fire have been investigated. The sample plots are set up in burned and unburned control areas. They are correspondingly situated in the Lower forest vegetation zone (0-600 m a.s.l.) of the Moesian forest vegetation area. Soil samples have been taken three times for five years in order to investigate the dynamics of the changes. The fractions of sand, silt and clay have been determined by pipette method. A relation was established between soil texture changes and intensity of fires. 

Abstract

There are so far several studies on the level of genetic diversity and differentiation of the brown hare populations in Bulgaria. Since the information available is not summarized the aim of this review was to summarize previous knowledge on genetic diversity of the brown hares from Bulgaria in order to disclose new horizons and directions for future genetic studies. We did a review of 10 publications on the brown hare genetic diversity, mostly in Bulgaria but also in other adjacent regions, where the brown hare was introduced or naturally presented. The results from allozymic, RAPD and microsatellite markers show that the genetic diversity is the highest in the Anatolian populations, followed by the Greek, Bulgarian, Serbian and finally by the Austrian ones. A fragmentation on a small geographical scale can be seen, illustrated by the presence of regional rare alleles, appearing with a low frequency. Gene flow is present across long geographical distances. There was no negative impact on the genetic diversity, caused by decreasing of population size for long periods of time.