LTER EU BG 002 “BELASITSA”

The site covers parts of the Osogovo-Belasitsa Mountain Group located in Bulgaria. Belasitsa is a mountain in South-western Bulgaria. It is a narrow east-west oriented mountain range. The southern slopes of the mountain are steep, rocky and barely afforested, while the northern slopes are forested, and cut through by very deep valleys and mountain streams. Part of the northern slopes of the mountain are located in Bulgaria, including the main ridge. The ridge of Ograzhden mountain is wide and relatively flat. The mountain is steepest on its northern part, where it is covered by numerous valleys and rivers. A significant part of Ograzhden mountain is located in Macedonia.

The location of Belasitsa and Ograzhden in the semi-Mediterranean climatic region and the modifying influence of the north facing mountain slopes (especially explicit for Belasitsa) determine the specificity of the vegetation, which is predominantly forests. As such the forest vegetation is extremely diverse – from xerophytic oak forests in the lowlands to high mountain beech forests at the upper tree line. Until recently, the southern slopes of Ograzhden was deforested due to intensive livestock grazing in the past. During the last 1–2 decades self-afforestation with native deciduous vegetation have been taking place.

Natural vegetation is mostly characterized by oak forests, located on the foothills of the mountains and beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests that reach the upper tree line – about 1800 m a.s.l. Abies alba, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra and Taxus baccata also participate as admixed species in few stands. Largest chestnut (Castanea sativa) population in Bulgaria is located in Belasitsa. It forms a wide belt in the lower part of the mountain, reaching up to 800–900 m a.s.l. Chestnut also occurs naturally in the Ograzhden Mountain. Chestnut forests have been subjected to intense anthropogenic influence, manifested in diverse forms and with various intensity during different historical periods. Oak forests are mainly composed by Quercus petraea, admixed with Q. frainetto, Q. pubescens and C.sativa. They are of coppice origin and often highly degraded.

Intrasonal forest vegetation is formed by Platanus orientalis communities. These are narrow strips along the mountain gorges formed by streams descending from the mountain. The largest and most compact population of P. orientalis in Bulgaria is located on the northern slopes of Belasitsa mountain. Ostrya carpinifolia is another typical species in the forest vegetation. It often forms monodominant stands on steep rocky slopes. These types of communities are of fundamental site protective importance. There is also forest plantations, consisting mainly of Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra and Castanea sativa.

 Over the years, there have been measurements of various parameters of forest ecosystems that have not been integrated into a common database. Those includes:

  • Network of permanent sample plots 0.12 ha in area each. Measured for the first time in 2009–2010; second measurement is planned for 2019–2020. In addition to a detailed assessment of the vertical structure of the forest, evaluation of the populations of rare and endangered species of the ornithofauna, hyropterofauna and entomofauna have been carried out in the plots;
  • Network of experimental sites in Castanea sativa dominated forests, dated from 2010–2014;
  • Two permanent plots established in beech forests, with measurement of all tree diameters, dead wood and regeneration parameters over 1 ha, each. Set in 2015;
  • Data on plant, mushroom, fauna and landscape diversity for a part of the site that falls within the boundaries of Belasitsa Nature Park, collected as part of the work on developing a Belasitsa Nature Park Management Plan;
  • Data on annual atmospheric deposition in the open air and under the forest canopy; N, S, basic cations and heavy metals Pb, Cd in uneven-aged chestnut forests for the period 2003–2004 and 2007;
  • Microclimatic data for the period 2003–2005;
  • Meteorological data on average daily air temperature, minimum and maximum daily air temperatures, daily rainfall for a 10-year period (2007–2017);
  • More than 100 phytocenological descriptions in forests dominated by sylvatica, C. sativa, Q. petraea, Q. pubescens, Q. frainetto, and P. orientalis.

 

  • Facilities
  1. Fully equipped climatic station – to be purchased and installed;
  2. Network of permanent sample plots 1 ha in area each – to be installed and measured every fife years regarding the stands properties and biodiversity, and repeatedly, regarding air and soil temperature, and soil moisture (loggers to be installed);
  3. Network of permanent sample plots 0.12 ha in area each. Measured for the first time in 2009–2010; second measurement is planned for 2019–2020;
  4. Network of experimental sites in Castanea sativa dominated forests, dated from 2010–2014;
  5. Upgrading of the infrastructure in already established sample plots for measurement of precipitation in the open and under Castanea sativa dominated stands canopy, including lysimetric equipment in some test areas, as well as selection of points for surface water monitoring.

 

  • Research projects
  1. “Assessment of degradation processes in chestnut forests in Belasitsa under the conditions of climate change” 2002-2005, Head Svetla Bratanova-Doncheva, funded by NUG
  2. State and prospects of the Castanea sativa population in Belasitsa mountain: climate change adaptation, maintenance of biodiversity and sustainable ecosystem management. EEA Grants (European Economic Area grants), Ref. № BG 0031. Period of implementation 2009–2011. Project manager Tzvetan Zlatanov;
  3. Specialized studies and activities related with research and improvement of the health and regeneration potential of chestnut stands in Belasitsa Mountain. Operational Program Environment of EU through the Ministry of Environmental and Water; DIR-5113326-7-101. Period of implementation 2013. Project manager Tzvetan Zlatanov;
  4. Mapping of Natura 2000 habitats. Operational Program Environment of EU through the Ministry of Environmental and Water; No D-30-38/21.03.2011. Period of implementation 2011–2013. Project manager Verzhiniya Dimitrova, Dikon Group.

 

  • On-going collaborations

The Belasitsa Research Team maintains collaborations with scientific teams from the National Museum of Natural History at BAS, Forest Research Institute-BAS, University of Forestry, Aristotle University of Tessaloniki, Forest Researc Institute-Tessaloniki, University of Debrecen-Hungary, FAO / CIHEAM, Universita degli Studi di Torino -Italy.

 

  • Main references
  1. Bratanova-Doncheva, S., 2014. Photosystem II activity in drought and high light conditions of castanea sativa mill. saplings. Acta Horticulturae, 2014, Volume 1043, 12, Pages 191-198.
  2. Bratanova-Doncheva, S., Chipev, N. Dimitrova, V., 2010. Origin, state and perspectives of chestnut cultivation in Bulgaria, Acta Horticulturae, 2010, Volume 866, Pages 517-527.
  3. Bratanova-Doncheva, S., Fikova, R., Katrandziev, K., Chipev, N. Dimitrova, V., 2014. Resilience of ecosystem services – Applying ecosystem function and integrity concepts to natural sweet chestnut forests in Belasitza mountain (SW Bulgaria), Acta Horticulturae, 2014, Volume 1043, Pages 183-190.
  4. Bratanova-Doncheva, S., N. Chipev. 2009. Following chestnut footprints – Bulgaria. Scripta Horticulturae 9. In: Following Chestnut Footprints (Castanea spp.) – Cultivation and Culture, Folklore and History, Tradition and Uses – International Society for Horticultural Science, Belgium, 2009, ISBN – 978-90-6605-632-9, р. 28-31.
  5. Bratanova-Doncheva, S., N. Chipev. 2009. Following chestnut footprints – Bulgaria. Scripta Horticulturae 9. In: Following Chestnut Footprints (Castanea spp. ) – Cultivation and Culture, Folklore and History, Tradition and Uses – International Society for Horticultural Science, Belgium, 2009, ISBN – 978-90-6605-632-9, р. 28-31.
  6. Bratanova-Doncheva, S., N. Chipev. 2009. Following chestnut footprints – Bulgaria. Scripta Horticulturae 9. In: Following Chestnut Footprints (Castanea spp. ) – Cultivation and Culture, Folklore and History, Tradition and Uses – International Society for Horticultural Science, Belgium, 2009, ISBN – 978-90-6605-632-9, р. 28-31.
  7. Bratanova-Doncheva, S., N. Chipev. (edits.)2009. Sustainable Management of Sweet Chestnut Ecosystems – CAST Bul, 2007, ISBN 978-954-457-046-0.
  8. Chen K, I Dorado-Liñán, L Akhmetzyanov, G Gea-Izquierdo, T Zlatanov, A Menzel. 2015. Influence of climate drivers and the North Atlantic Oscillation on beech growth at marginal sites across the Mediterranean. Climate Research 66:229-242. ISSN: 0936–577X. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01345.
  9. Delschev, C., Shu-Qiang, L. 2013. A new species of the genus Cataleptoneta from Belasitsa Mts, Bulgaria (Araneae, Leptonetidae). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica 38 (3): 514-519.
  10. Dorado-Liñán I, E Zorita, E Martínez-Sancho, G Gea-Izquierdo, A di Filippo, E Gutiérrez, T Levanic, G Piovesan, G Vachianno, C Zang, T Zlatanov, A Menzel. 2017. Large-scale atmospheric circulation enhances the Mediterranean East-West tree growth contrast at rear-edge deciduous forests. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 239: 86–95. ISSN: 0168-1923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2017.02.029.
  11. Fady B, F Aravanopoulos, P Alizoti, C Mátyás, G von Wühlisch, M Westergren, P Belletti; B Cvjetkovic, F Ducci, G Huber, CT Kelleher, A Khaldi, M Kharrat, H Kraigher, K Kramer, U Mühlethaler, S Peric, A Perry, M Rousi, H Sbay, S Stojnic, M Tijardovic, I Tsvetkov, MC Varela, GG Vendramin, T Zlatanov. 2016. Evolution-based approach needed for the conservation and silviculture of peripheral forest tree populations. Forest Ecology and Management 375: 66–75. ISSN: 0378–1127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.05.015.
  12. Forrester D, I Tachauer, P Annighoefer, I Barbeito, H Pretzsch, R Ruiz-Peinado, H Stark, G Vacchiano, T Zlatanov, T Chakraborty, S Saha, G Sileshi. 2017. Generalized biomass and leaf area allometric equations for European tree species incorporating stand structure, tree age and climate. Forest Ecology and Management 396: 160–175. ISSN: 0378–1127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.04.011.
  13. Guergoivev, B. 2011. Prostomidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea) – a New Family to the Fauna of Bulgaria. Acta zoologica bulgarica 63 (1): 113-115.
  14. Ignatova, N., Fikova, R., 2007. Precipitation chemistry of sweet chestnut forest (Castanea sativae Mill.) in Belsitza Mountain. Proceedings of I-st Balkan Regional Workshop for Sustainable Management of Chestnut Ecosystems (Castanea sativa Mill.) “CAST Bul” 2005, 2-5 November 2005, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, Publishing House Petexton, 61-68.
  15. Ignatova, N., Jorova, K., Velizarova, E., Fikova, R., 2005. Bulgarian National Focal Center Report. In: Slootweg, J., Hettelingh, J-P., Posch, M., (eds.). Critical Loads of Cadmium, Lead and Mercury in Europe, CCE Status Report 259101015/2005 ISBN: 90-6960-119-2, Bilthoven, Netherlands, 78-82.
  16. Ignatova, N., Jorova, M., Velizarova, E., Fikova, R., Broshtilova, M., Yordanov, Y. 2007. Bulgarian National Focal Center Report. In: J. Slootweg, M. Posch, J.-P. Hettelingh (eds.) Critical Loads of Nitrogen and Dynamic Modelling. CCE Progress Report 2007, MNP Rep. 500090001, Bilthoven, Netherlands, 115-120.
  17. Ignatova, N., Jorova, M., Velizarova, E., Milchev, R., Damyanova, S., Fikova, R., Broshtilova, M., Yordanov, Y. 2008. Bulgarian National Focal Center Report. In: J.-P. Hettelingh, M. Posch, Slootweg (eds.) Critical loads, dynamic modelling and impact assessment in Europe: CCE Status Report 2008, Coordination Centre for Effects, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, www.pbl.nl/cee, 119-123.
  18. Lyubenova, M., Bratanova-Doncheva, S., Dimitrova, V., Grozeva, M. 2010. Main characteristics of the biological turn-over in the Castanea sativa Mill.communities from Belasitza mountain, Bulgaria, Acta Horticulturae, 2010, Volume 866, Pages 275-284.
  19. Lyubenova, M., Sokolovska, M, Bratanova-Doncheva, S., Radonova, M., 2008. Content of macro- and trace elements in sweet chestnut phytomass in Belasitza mountain, Bulgaria, Silva Balcanica, 2008, Issue 9, Pages 41-58.
  20. Mirchev, St., Lyubenova M., Dimitrova, V., Bratanova – Doncheva, S., 2009. Dendrochronological investigation on Castanea sativa Mill. from Belasitza mountain and Western Balkans (Berkovitza). Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment 23- EQ.23/SE, 377-380, ISSN: 1310-2818 Online ISSN: 1314-3530,
  21. Petrov, S. 1962. Contribution to the moss flora of Bulgaria. Mosses of Belasitsa. – Izv. Bot. Inst., BAS, 9: 191–199. (in Bulgarian)
  22. Petrov, S. 1963. A new contribution to the study of the Bulgarian moss flora. – Izv. Bot. Inst., BAS, 11: 167–187.
  23. Sarkki, S., Ficko, A., Wielgolaski, F.E., Abraham, E.M., Bratanova, S., Grunewald, K., Hofgaard, A., Holtmeier, F.-K.,. Kyriazopoulos, A.P., Broll, G., Nijnik, M. Sutinen, M-L., 2017. Social equity in governance of ecosystem services: Synthesis from European treeline areas. Climate Research Print : 0936-577X; Online ISSN:1616-1572
  24. Stajic B, T Zlatanov, I Velichkov, T Dubravac, P Trajkov. 2009. Past and recent coppice forests management in some regions of South-eastern Europe. Silva Balcanica 10 (1): 9–19. ISSN: 1311 – 8706.
  25. Tonkov S, I Velichkov, G Popov, G Possnert, T Zlatanov, G Hinkov. 2012. On the Holocene history of sweet chestnut forests in Belasitsa mountain, Southwestern Bulgaria. Comptes Rendus de l ‘Academie Bulgare des Sciences 65 (11): 1549–1554. ISSN: 1310–1331.
  26. Tzonev, R., G. Hinkov, T. Karakiev. 2011. Ecologycal characteristics of the floristic complex of the chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forests in Belasitsa mountain. Silva Balcanica, 12 (1), 47–61, ISSN: 1311-8706.
  27. Tzonev, R., M. Lyubenova, G. Hinkov, T. Karakiev. 2011. Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) Forests in Belasitsa Mountain, Bulagria. Journal of Balkan Ecology, vol. 14, 2, 2011, 171–186, ISSN: 1311-0527.
  28. Vacik H, T Zlatanov, P Trajkov, S Dekanic. 2009. Role of coppice forests in maintaining forest biodiversity. Silva Balcanica 10 (1): 35–45. ISSN: 1311–8706.
  29. Velichkov I, G Hinkov, T Zlatanov, M Zlatanova, H Hristova. 2010. Area distribution dynamics of Castanea sativa forests on the northern slopes of Belasitsa Mountain. Silva Balcanica 11(2): 21–26. ISSN: 1311–8706.
  30. Zlatanov T, I Velichkov, G Hinkov, M Georgieva, O Eggertsson, S Hreidarsson, M Zlatanova, G Georgiev. 2012. Site index curves for European Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in Belasitsa mountain. Sumarski list 3–4 (CXXXVI): 153–159. ISSN: 0373-1332.
  31. Zlatanov T, I Velichkov, M Georgieva, G Hinkov, M Zlatanova, G Gogusev, CS Eastaugh. 2015. Does management improve the state of chestnut (Castanea sativa L.) on Belasitsa Mountain, southwest Bulgaria? iForest-Biogeosciences and Forestry 8: 860–865. ISSN: 1971–7458. https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor1420-008.
  32. Zlatanov T, MJ Lexer. 2009. Coppice forestry in South-Eastern Europe: problems and future prospects. Silva Balcanica 10 (1): 5–8. ISSN: 1311–8706.
  33. Zlatanov T, P Schleppi, I Velichkov, G Hinkov, M Georgieva, O Eggertsson, M Zlatanova, H Vacik. 2013. Structural diversity of abandoned chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) dominated forests: Implications for forest management. Forest Ecology and Management 291: 326–335. ISSN: 0378–1127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2012.11.015.
  34. PhD thessis “ASSESSMENT OF THE STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONAL CONDITION AND DEGRADATION PROCESSES IN THE FOREST SYSTEMS OF THE COMMON CHESNUT (CASTANEA SATIVA MILL.) FROM BELASITSA IN VIEW OF THEIR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT”, Violeta Dimitrova, 2003-2007, University of Forestry

 

Responsible Institution:

Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Address: 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, BULGARIA

Phone: +359 2 871 71 95 / +359 2 871 91 38

Fax: +359 2 870 54 98

E-mail: iber@iber.bas.bg

Website: http://www.iber.bas.bg/

Site coordinator:

Prof. Tzvetan Zlatanov, PhD

E-mail: tmzlatanov@gmail.com