Lidia Sakelarieva

South-West University "Neofit Rilski" · Department of Geography, Ecology and Environment Protection

Rivers are the main resource for water supply in Bulgaria and South Korea, thus the ecological status of the running water bodies is important for the ecosystem integrity, as well as for the health and life standard of the population in both countries. This study presents and compares the water management policies, the water legislations and the sy...

A survey of the macrozoobenthos communities in the Maritsa River (South Bulgaria) was carried out in the summer of 2021. Benthic samples were collected and physicochemical parameters (water temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and nutrients) were measured at 15 sites located on the main river and its tributary system. The studied sites b...

It is well known that the Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) feeds primarily on plants. The species can also supplement its diet with different food sources, including carrion. Yet, few cases of scavenging behavior have been reported in the literature. Here we report on the consumption of a dead female Common Toad (Bufo bufo) by an adult female...

The active season of T. hermanni in Bulgaria is from March-April to October-November. So far, few cases of winter activity have been registered in the country. Here we report on another such case of an adult T. hermanni. The temporary emergence of the specimen from its hibernaculum was probably caused by the combined effect of several factors such...

Three representative areas (two in the range of the Buhovo mine and one near the village of Katina) located in Western Bulgaria and a part of the Balkan Mountains uranium deposit were sampled between 2015 and 2016. Physical and chemical parameters of the soil, such as moisture content, temperature, pH, organic matter, and texture, were measured at...

The article is an attempt to review some basic ethical concepts in their historical and substantive development, within the context of the environment and environmental knowledge. It also tries to answer the question whether there is a difference between traditional and environmental ethics. The comparative-historical method is used, which consider...

The aim of the study was to identify the current taxonomic composition and dominant structure of the macrozoobenthos in the Maritsa River and estuarine zones of its main tributaries (Chepelarska, Sazliyka, Stryama and Topolnitsa). The samples were collected from 15 sites in August and September 2020. The total number of the identified taxa was 165...

Although there are still some large and stable populations of the European Ground Squirrel, there has been a serious decline in the number and density of most of the species populations throughout its range, including in Bulgaria. The aim of the study is to supplement the scientific data about the population of the European Ground Squirrel and its...

The advancement of science and the change of moral norms in a market-driven society not only generate prosperity but also challenge the future of humankind. Most of the changes and problems in the environment can be foreseen if we turn to the knowledge that we acquire through ecology not only as an interdisciplinary but also as a transdisciplinary...

Six new localities of Malpolon insignitus have been recorded lately in south-western Bulgaria, which supplement its known distribution. One of the observations is the second case of winter activity of the species in the country.

The purpose of the study is to supplement, summarize and analyse data about the distribution and activity of Dolichophis caspius in south-western Bulgaria. The new data about the species were collected from 1991 to 2019 during herpetological surveys. The total number of records until now is 420: 148 of them can be found in previous publications, an...

The European Cat Snake is one of the most recently discovered representatives of the Bulgarian herpetofauna, and one of the rarest snakes in Bulgaria. The research presented aims to update the data about the distribution of Telescopus fallax in south-western Bulgaria. Many new records from the Struma River valley are reported. To the north the spec...

The soil earthworm communities (Lumbricidae) in the abandoned uranium mines Eleshnitsa and Senokos, located in the southwestern part of Bulgaria, were studied in 2011-2016. The sampling areas have been polluted to varying degrees with heavy metals and radionuclides and disturbed by different mining and reclaiming activities. The species structure o...

The Bulgarian part of Hadzhidimovo Gorge (the Mesta River basin, southwestern Bulgaria) was studied in March-October 2018 in order to collect data about the local herpetofauna. A preliminary checklist of the amphibians and reptiles is presented, based on bibliographic records and the field research. The list includes 25 species. The representatives...

The aim of the study is to supplement and summarize data about the distribution of Xerotyphlops vermicularis in south-western Bulgaria and to determine its importance for zoogeographical subdivision of the country. Many new records are reported from this part of the country (94 specimens at 46 localities). The distribution of the species in the Str...

The study aims at supplementing and summarizing data about the spread and seasonal activity of the Eastern Montpellier Snake (Malpolon insignitus) in south-western Bulgaria. Many new localities have been recorded in this part of the country. The distribution of the species in the Struma River valley has been specified. Northwards, it occurs through...

Aim: To supplement and summarize data about the distribution of the Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) and the Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca) in the Natura 2000 site BG0001022 „Oranovski Prolom – Leshko”. Material and methods: The specimens and the spot localities of the two species were registered during field trips in March 2010 – Octo...

The Natura 2000 site „Oranovski Prolom - Leshko” (BG0001022) was studied in Jul 2013-Dec 2017 in order to supplement and summarize the information about the diversity and distribution of the herpetofauna. Two new species of amphibians (Caudata) and 8 new species of reptiles (4 Sauria and 4 Serpentes) have been registered. Thus the total number of t...

Aim: To supplement and summarize data about diversity, distribution and conservation status of the amphibians in Protected Area BG0001022 „Oranovski Prolom – Leshko”. Material and Methods: The amphibian species and localities were registered during field trips in June 2008 – April 2016. The geographic coordinates have been determined with GPS. Resu...

The article is devoted to the ideas of the Club of Rome and their modern reading. The Club of Rome, founded in 1968, is an international society of politicians, business leaders, and scientists, who appeal for mutual tolerance, understanding, and solidarity in relation to the real problems of the world, and the environmental problems in the first p...

Two particularly large specimens of Fire Salamander have been registered in southwestern Bulgaria in late winter/early spring. Both of them are adult females with total body length 231 mm, and 219 mm. The two specimens recorded are the largest ones found in Bulgaria so far. Their dimensions are impressive for the entire range of the species. Both s...

Two particularly large specimens of Fire Salamander have been registered in southwestern Bulgaria in late winter/early spring. Both of them are adult females with total body length 231 mm, and 219 mm. The two specimens recorded are the largest ones found in Bulgaria so far. Their dimensions are impressive for the entire range of the species. Both s...

The Balkan Stream Frog Rana graeca Boulenger, 1891 has been studied in order to establish new data about its distribution and ecology in southwestern Bulgaria, where a part of the periphery of the species’ range passes through. The study reports on 77 localities (48 published, with additional information about some of them, and 29 new). All localit...

The current paper presents the contemporary distribution of Mediodactylus kotschyi in southwest part of Bulgaria. The valleys of Struma River (to the south of the city of Blagoevgrad), and Mesta River (to the south of the town of Gotse Delchev), as well as the sides of the surrounding mountains up to the altitude of 650 m have been surveyed for the...

Five localities of Sand Boa (Eryx jaculus Linnaeus, 1758) have been reported till now for the Strouma river valley, southwestern Bulgaria. Five specimens at three new localities in the same region have been recorded. Ten syntopic species of reptiles are also reported. Detailed description of soils, parent rocks and vegetation at the habitats of the...

Complex investigations of the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River, left tributary of the trans-boundary Struma River, were carried out in the summer of 2008. Seven representative sites were sampled. Physico-chemical parameters such as water temperature, pH, oxygen concentration, oxygen saturation, conductivity, nitrates and phosphates were measured. The...

Benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River were examined as a part of a complex study of the river and its basin. Monthly in 2002 and seasonal in 2003 handnet samples were taken from seven stations along the river length. The similarity of the benthic communities at different stations -along the river continuum and...

The area of Blagoevgrad municipality represents only 0.56 % of the territory of Bulgaria. However, it is inhabited by a great number of amphibian and reptile species – 31 (11 amphibians and 20 reptiles) or 53.4 % of the species distributed in Bulgaria. Most of them (64.5 %) belong to the Mesophilous forest fauna, and the others - to the Thermoxerop...

The city of Blagoevgrad and its surroundings (about 16.4 km2) were researched in order to establish the diversity, distribution and level of synanthropy of the amphibian and reptile species. Data about the herpetofauna were obtained in the period 1988 - 2012. Totally 25 species were registered – 10 amphibians and 15 reptiles. The number of species,...

Urban ecology is a field of research that has been getting more and more popularity in the recent years. One of the reasons for that is the awareness that a big part of the environmental problems is caused by the functioning and development of cities. A number of attempts have been made to define urban ecology, and nevertheless, there is a discussi...

Ecology as a science has been gaining more and more popularity because of its close connection to the environmental problems caused by man's negative impacts upon nature. These impacts also have social dimensions. The problem of human relationship with nature has become global. There is a need for a new aspect of any scientific knowledge – environm...

The available information about the taxonomy and distribution of snakes (Serpentes) in the territory of the Blagoevgrad municipality has been updated and summarized. Eight species, out of 18 for the whole country, have been recorded – three of them for the first time for Vlahina Mountain (its Bulgarian part). Four species are widely distributed in...

The present observations of the herpetofauna in the territory of the Blagoevgrad municipality have been carried out since 1988 in order to summarize the available data about the amphibians and reptiles in this region. The results about the turtles and lizards are presented and discussed in this report. Three Testudines and eight Sauria species have...

A great number of the amphibian and reptile species, distributed in Bulgaria, are sensitive to anthropogenic impacts. Therefore they are protected by the Low of biological diversity and are included in the new edition of the Bulgarian Red Data Book. The present observations of the herpe-tofauna within the territory of the Blagoevgrad municipality h...

Technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of biomedical and healthcare wastes were adopted at the sixth meeting of the Conference of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal held in December 2002. As a country accepted the Basel Convention the Republic of...

A great number of the amphibian and reptile species, distributed in Bulgaria, are sensitive to anthropogenic impacts. Therefore they are protected by the Low of biological diversity and are included in the new edition of the Bulgarian Red Data Book. The present observations of the herpe-tofauna within the territory of the Blagoevgrad municipality h...

The Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River is one of the main tributaries of the Struma River and the basic water source of the city of Blagoevgrad. A contemporary assessment of its ecological condition was made based on complex morphometric, hydrometric, physical-chemical, and hydrobiological studies carried out in 2002 and 2003. The taxonomic composition...

The Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River was researched in 2002 and 2003. The purpose of the study was to determine the contemporary ecological state of the river as the basic water source of the city of Blagoevgrad. The river water quality assessment on the basis of saprobiological and biotic indices by using benthic macroinvertebrate communities is pre...

The Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River - one of the main tributaries of the Struma River – has been investigated till now first and foremost as a river polluted by the sewage of the city of Blagoevgrad. The available data of the RIOSV –Blagoevgrad about the physical and chemical condition of the river in its lower section (after the city of Blagoevgrad...