Division of Biomonitoring and Ecological Risk Assessment
Research priorities
- Ecological risk assessment – bioindication, passive and active biomonitoring of heavy metals and macroelements with lichenized fungi, macromiceti, moss, seed plants (incl. medicinal and aromatic species), animal tissues in urban, industrial and ruderal regions in Bulgaria and other countries;
- Biogeochemistry and cycle of micro- and macroelements in plant communities;
- Bioenergy adaptations and characteristics of selected species warm-blooded animals from different parts of their range. Thermoregulation and physiological adaptations – a basis for studying the future evolutionary capabilities of the species;
- Distribution, acclimatization and impact on local flora of new invasive invertebrate species, as well as reasons for the expansion of their range;
- Bird monitoring in regions with wind-energy turbines;
- Studying of the ecology of dung beetles in pasture ecosystems in Europe and Bulgaria.
Current and recent projects with coordinators from the division
- 2016-2017. Analysis of new physiologically active connective sites for human C1q. Financed by MES, NSF. Coordinator: Chief Assistant Nadezhda Todorova, PhD
- 2016-2019. Estimating the combined effect of natural radiation, UV radiation, climate change and cosmic rays on model plant and animal species in mountain ecosystems. Financed by NSF. Coordinator: Prof. Roumiana Mecheva, PhD
- 2017-2019. Analysis of the adaptations of the European souslik (Spermophilus citellus) after translocation by studying stress levels and endoparasite invasiveness. Financed by MES, Programme for support of young scientists in BAS. Coordinator: Maria Kachamakova, PhD student
- 2014-2016. Effect of clinoptilolite sorbent on gamma-irradiated laboratory white mice. Financed by "Mineralagro" Ltd. Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Michaela Nedialkova, PhD
Research groups
RG "Biomonitoring and bioindication"
RG "Genetic monitoring"