Rayna Hardalova’s scientific contributions

Trichkova T., Tomov R., Vladimirov V., Hubenov Z., Koshev Y., Nikolov B., Tzankov N., Stanchev R., Hardalova R.. Alien species in Bulgaria: Policy, projects, research and awareness raising. Rat M., T. Trichkova, R. Scalera, R. Tomov, A. Uludag (Eds.), First ESENIAS Report: State of the Art of Invasive Alien Species in South-Eastern Europe. Publishers: UNS PMF, Novi Sad, Serbia, IBER-BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria, ESENIAS, 2016, ISBN:978-86-7031-3316, 11-31.

Conservation of plant diversity is a priority in the environmental policy of Bulgaria. The book presents the main result – a pilot network of small protected sites for the conservation of rare plants using the model of plant micro-reserves – of a project funded by the Life+ Programme of the European Commission. Included are 3 species of bryophytes and 44 species of vascular plants for which in the period 2010–2014 were declared 58 protected sites and, additionally, for 4 sites proposals have been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Water for legal protection. For each species is given its conservation status in Bulgaria, short morphological description, original data on the biology, habitats, distribution in the country, threats to the populations, and the taken and the still needed conservation measures. For each protected area is provided the exact location and size, a short presentation of the habitats and plant species with conservation value, and limitations specified in the Order for its official designation. Species and protected areas are well illustrated with original colour photographs.