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Projects with SRF

Completed Projects for the Scientific Research Fund of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

Project Topic: "Investigation of microclimatic and soil conditions in the University Botanical Garden Varna aimed at identifying microhabitats for the conservation, cultivation, reproduction, and ex situ display of plant species with conservation status from Bulgaria’s flora."

Project Leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosen Todorov Tzonev
The goal of the project is to identify, based on scientific research, microhabitats with varying soil and microclimatic conditions in the University Botanical Garden Varna for the ex situ conservation of plants with conservation status from Bulgaria’s flora that have different environmental needs. The parameters of the microclimate and soil were studied. An analysis of the results concerning the values of the microclimatic and soil indicators was conducted, comparing them with the requirements for the development of selected plant species. The study of the phytosociological requirements of conservation-significant plants regarding soil and microclimatic conditions was carried out based on existing literature. Initially, plant species with diverse biological requirements and conservation significance were selected: Astracantha aitosensis Ivanisch., Astracantha thracicus Griseb., Pancratium maritimum L., Fritillaria pontica Wahl., Rhododendron ponticum L.
The project results enabled the subsequent display of an "ex situ" collection within the University Botanical Garden – Varna, which can also serve as illustrative material for educating visitors to the garden, especially children and students, and groups with special interests in ecology and environmental conservation. Under project number 054/08.05.2014 for the Scientific Research Fund of Sofia University, two weather stations and a laptop were purchased to facilitate the project activities.

Project Topic: "Introduction, cultivation, reproduction, and display of plants with conservation status from Bulgaria’s flora for the ex situ conservation of surveyed microhabitats in the University Botanical Garden Varna with conditions close to their natural microclimatic and soil environments. Establishment of a seed bank."

Project Leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosen Todorov Tzonev
In executing project number 054 from 08.05.2014, "Investigation of microclimatic and soil conditions in the University Botanical Garden Varna for the identification of microhabitats for the conservation, cultivation, reproduction, and ex situ display of plant species with conservation status from Bulgaria’s flora," funded by the Scientific Research Fund of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and after analyzing the obtained results, we found that there are microhabitats in the University Botanical Garden – Varna with microclimatic and soil conditions similar to those of the plants we studied. The data obtained allow us to successfully introduce, reproduce, and conserve ex situ conservation-significant plant species. The botanical garden can serve as a source of genetic material for successfully introduced and adapted species.
Thanks to project number 054 from 08.05.2014 for the Scientific Research Fund of Sofia University, seeds from conservation-significant plants from Bulgaria’s flora were collected, reproduced, and introduced to the University Botanical Garden Varna (Pancratium maritimum, Rhododendron ponticum, Ruta graveolens, Koeleria brevis, Crambe maritima, Gypsophila trichotoma). A refrigerator for seed storage and stratification was purchased, as well as a GPS device.

Project Topic: "Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the Northern Black Sea coastal region."

Project Leader: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aneli Nedelcheva
The aim of the study was to establish the ethnobotanical knowledge and application of medicinal plants among the local population in certain settlements along the Northern Black Sea coast.
The study was conducted through face-to-face interviews, with participants randomly selected across different genders, ethnicities, ages, and educational backgrounds. Various applications of medicinal plants in everyday life were investigated, including human and veterinary medicine, cosmetics, culinary use, pesticides, folk traditions, and customs, among others. A student from the Faculty of Biology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" also participated in the project. The results were processed and analyzed. Another scientific publication related to the project is forthcoming.

Conference Participation Related to the Projects:

  • Boycheva, P., N. Drumeva, R. Tzonev, K. Kosev, 2014, "Investigation of microclimatic and soil conditions in the University Botanical Garden Varna for the identification of microhabitats for the conservation, cultivation, reproduction, and ex situ display of plant species with conservation status from Bulgaria’s flora," First National Conference on Biotechnology, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria, 17-18.10.2014.
  • Boycheva, P., R. Tzonev, O. Iliev, K. Kosev, 2015, Comparison of soil and climatic conditions of the natural habitats of Astracantha thracica, Astracantha aitosensis, Pancratium maritimum, Fritillaria pontica, and Rhododendron ponticum with surveyed microhabitats within the territory of the University Botanical Garden (UBG) Varna. Introduction of in vitro-propagated plant species of conservation significance. First National Conference on the Reintroduction of Conservation-Significant Species, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria, 18-20 November 2015.
  • Boycheva, P., Marinova, V. Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used in some parts of the Northern Black Sea coast region - Varna region (Bulgaria).  Youth Scientific Conference with International Participation "Kliment Days", 16-17 November 2017, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"