Iva Apostolova
A5038772088- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Bryophyte Studies and Records
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Plant Ecology and Taxonomy Studies
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Marine and environmental studies
- Plant Ecology and Soil Science
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Plant and animal studies
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Forest ecology and management
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Tree-ring climate responses
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Forest Management and Policy
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
2015-2024
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research
2015-2024
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"
2015-2020
Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture
2020
Southeastern Health
2020
Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction
2018
Bundesministerium für Familien und Jugend
2016
Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics
2015
University of Belgrade
2012
University of Göttingen
2012
Abstract The European Vegetation Archive ( EVA ) is a centralized database of vegetation plots developed by the IAVS Working Group Survey. It has been in development since 2012 and first made available for use research projects 2014. stores copies national regional vegetation‐ plot databases on single software platform. Data storage does not affect on‐going independent contributing databases, which remain property data contributors. uses prototype management TURBOVEG 3 joint multiple that...
Abstract Aims Vegetation‐plot records provide information on the presence and cover or abundance of plants co‐occurring in same community. data are spread across research groups, environmental agencies biodiversity centers and, thus, rarely accessible at continental global scales. Here we present sPlot database, which collates vegetation plots worldwide to allow for exploration patterns taxonomic, functional phylogenetic diversity plant community level. Results version 2.1 contains from...
Abstract A large proportion of European biodiversity today depends on habitat provided by low‐intensity farming practices, yet this resource is declining as agriculture intensifies. Within the Union, particularly central and eastern new member states have retained relatively areas species‐rich farmland, but despite increased investment in nature conservation here recent years, farmland trends appear to be worsening. Although high value Central Eastern has long been reported, amount research...
GrassPlot is a collaborative vegetation-plot database organised by the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) and listed in Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases (GIVD ID EU-00-003).GrassPlot collects plot records (relevés) from grasslands other open habitats Palaearctic biogeographic realm.It focuses on precisely delimited plots eight standard grain sizes (0.0001; 0.001; ... 1,000 m²) nested-plot series with at least four different sizes.The usage regulated through bylaws that intend to...
Abstract Biodiversity can buffer ecosystem functioning against extreme climatic events, but few experiments have explicitly tested this. Here, we present the first multisite biodiversity × drought manipulation experiment to examine resistance and recovery at five temperate Mediterranean grassland sites. Aboveground biomass production declined by 30% due experimental (standardised local extremity rainfall exclusion for 72–98 consecutive days). Species richness did not affect promoted...
Abstract Motivation Assessing biodiversity status and trends in plant communities is critical for understanding, quantifying predicting the effects of global change on ecosystems. Vegetation plots record occurrence or abundance all species co‐occurring within delimited local areas. This allows absences to be inferred, information seldom provided by existing datasets. Although many vegetation have been recorded, most are not available research community. A recent initiative, called ‘sPlot’,...
Small natural features (SNFs), such as road verges, midfield islets, rocky outcrops and ancient burial mounds, provide safe havens for species of habitats in human-modified landscapes; therefore, their great ecological importance is contrast to small size. SNFs often have a high topographical heterogeneity abiotic conditions, which differ from surroundings; they unique opportunity establishing links between environmental (EH) biodiversity. However, no study has so far investigated the EH...
Abstract Aims Understanding fine‐grain diversity patterns across large spatial extents is fundamental for macroecological research and biodiversity conservation. Using the GrassPlot database, we provide benchmarks of richness values Palaearctic open habitats vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens complete vegetation (i.e., sum former three groups). Location biogeographic realm. Methods We used 126,524 plots eight standard grain sizes from database: 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 1,000 m...
Abstract Aim The first comprehensive checklist of European phytosociological alliances, orders and classes (EuroVegChecklist) was published by Mucina et al. (2016, Applied Vegetation Science , 19 (Suppl. 1), 3–264). However, this did not contain detailed information on the distribution individual vegetation types. Here we provide maps all alliances in Europe. Location Europe, Greenland, Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, Cyprus Caucasus countries. Methods We collected data occurrence countries...
Abstract The area of semi-natural grasslands in Bulgaria has decreased tremendously the past century due to agricultural intensification or abandonment. As these host valuable biodiversity, conservation measures are needed for their sustainable maintenance. We studied effect pastureland abandonment on plant communities at Ponor Mt., a part Balkan Mts., Bulgaria. Data floristic composition, vegetation structure and several abiotic parameters were collected 137 randomly located 16-m2 plots...
Abstract Question How does the plant species composition of P ontic– annonian salt‐rich habitats vary on a large geographical scale? Do floristic differences between annonia and B alkans correspond to current phytosociological classification? Location Pannonia ( H ungary, S lovakia, A ustria, C zech R epublic, roatia, erbia, omania) ulgaria, M acedonia, G reece). Methods Two thousand four hundred thirty‐seven relevés from halophytic sub‐halophytic were classified using modified TWINSPAN ....
We present the data of 3rdresearch expedition European Dry Grasslands Group (EDGG), which was conducted in 2011 two contrasting areas NW Bulgarian mountains. The aim to collect plot for comparing dry grasslands with those other parts Europe terms syntaxonomy and biodiversity. sampled 15 nested-plot series (0.0001–100 m²) 68 normal plots(10 covering full variety grassland types occurring Vratsa area (Balkan Mts.) Koprivshtitsa (Sredna Gora Mt.). In plots all vascular plants, terricolous...
Abstract Aim Water pH and conductivity are known to be major environmental factors controlling the species composition of nutrient‐poor wetlands. Based on analysis two large data sets co‐occurrence, sampled along entire pH/calcium gradient, we explored whether exhibit similar or different ecological behaviour in regions. Location West Carpathians (central Europe) Bulgaria (south‐eastern Europe), situated 800 km apart. represents a range margin for many mire species. Methods The probability...
Abstract Questions How does the spatial configuration of sampling units influence recorded plant species richness values at small scales? What are consequences these findings for methodology and rarefaction analyses? Location Six semi‐natural grasslands in Western Eurasia (France, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Turkey). Methods In each site we established six blocks 40 cm × 280 cm, subdivided into 5 micro‐quadrats, on which vascular presence with rooted (all sites) shoot (four method....
The class Montio-Cardaminetea includes vegetation of springs with constant water flow.These habitats, which function as islands for highly specialized and sensitive biota, are endangered by ongoing landscape climatic changes.Although a harmonized classification into units is necessary effective habitat conservation, there currently no synthetic the Montio-Cardaminetea.Here large set vegetation-plot records was obtained from national private databases.The aim to validate EuroVegChecklist...
Abstract Aims Developing a hierarchical classification system for classes, orders and alliances of the diverse dry grasslands Central Eastern Balkan Peninsula translating this into an electronic expert (ES) automatic assignment plots. Location Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bulgaria northern Greece. Methods We extracted 5734 plots from Dry Grassland Database corresponding to eight classes reported region, using EuroVegChecklist ES. This data set later within each derived subunit were...
The Evolutionary species pool hypothesis (ESPH) predicts that historically more common habitats will be richer in because they have had greater opportunity for the evolution of suitably adapted species. We explored relationship between mire richness and pH, an important environmental variable mires, two regions differ habitat pH distribution: West Carpathians Bulgaria. Mire both Bulgaria demonstrate support ESPH prediction with values host also influence history by examining distribution...
Abstract The Mediterranean area is a natural biodiversity hotspot that has also been influenced by humans for millennia. Especially the grasslands of Southern Europe have long known their diversity and beauty. However, several gaps remain in our knowledge about these grasslands, e.g. some regions such as southern Balkans, or taxonomic groups cryptogams. Here we introduce Special Issue with contributions from 9th European Dry Grassland Group meeting held Prespa, Greece, 2012. topic this was...
Abstract Eurasian steppes have an essential role in conserving biodiversity, but due to the huge habitat loss past centuries they are often preserved only small refuges. Among such refuges ancient steppic burial mounds (the so called ‘kurgans’) which a high cultural and historical importance also sites of nature conservation. Despite their number (approximately half million) conservational there is lack knowledge on locality state kurgans most regions Eurasia. To fill this gap, we built...
Higher biodiversity can stabilize the productivity and functioning of grassland communities when subjected to extreme climatic events. The positive biodiversity-stability relationship emerges via increased resistance and/or recovery these However, invader presence might disrupt this diversity-stability by altering biotic interactions. Investigating such disruptions is important given that invasion non-native species events are expected increase in future due anthropogenic pressure. Here we...