Kiril Vassilev
A5009366176- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Bryophyte Studies and Records
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Plant Ecology and Taxonomy Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Plant Ecology and Soil Science
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Botanical Studies and Applications
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Forest Management and Policy
- Diverse Scientific Research in Ukraine
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Medicinal plant effects and applications
- Forest ecology and management
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Agriculture and Biological Studies
- Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
2016-2025
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research
2016-2025
University of Food Technologies
2016-2023
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"
2016-2023
National Museum of Natural History
2021
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 Aim The EUNIS Habitat Classification is a widely used reference framework for European habitat types (habitats), but it lacks formal definitions of individual habitats that would enable their unequivocal identification. Our goal was to develop tool assigning vegetation‐plot records the system, use classify database, and compile statistically‐derived characteristic species combinations distribution maps these habitats. Location Europe. Methods We developed classification expert...
Global patterns of regional (gamma) plant diversity are relatively well known, but whether these hold for local communities, and the dependence on spatial grain, remain controversial. Using data 170,272 georeferenced assemblages, we created global maps alpha (local species richness) vascular plants at three different grains, forests non-forests. We show that is consistently high across grains in some regions (for example, Andean-Amazonian foothills), 'scaling anomalies' (deviations from...
Abstract Aim Woodlands make up a third of European territory and carry out important ecosystem functions, yet comprehensive overview their invasion by alien plants has never been undertaken across this continent. Location Europe. Methods We extracted data from 251,740 vegetation plots stored in the recently compiled Vegetation Archive. After filtering (resulting 83,396 plots; 39 regions; 1970–2015 time period), we analysed species pool frequency vascular with respect to geographic origin...
Significance Invasive alien species pose major threats to biodiversity and ecosystems. However, identifying drivers of invasion success has been challenging, in part because can achieve invasiveness different ways, each corresponding aspects demographics distribution. Employing a multidimensional perspective Europe’s flora, we find generally fall along an axis from overall poor invaders super that become abundant, widespread, invade diverse habitats. Some deviate this pattern are recently...
European semi-dry grasslands are among the most species-rich vegetation types in northern hemisphere and form an important part of habitat mosaics forest-steppe zone. However, there is no comprehensive evaluation variation their composition phytosociological classification these grasslands. For syntaxonomic revision, we used a dataset 34,173 plot records (relevés) from central eastern Europe, which were assigned to class Festuco-Brometea using diagnostic species listed EuroVegChecklist. To...
Abstract Aim Alpine ecosystems differ in area, macroenvironment and biogeographical history across the Earth, but relationship between these factors plant species richness is still unexplored. Here, we assess global patterns of alpine their association with environmental, geographical historical at regional community scales. Location Global. Time period Data collected 1923 2019. Major taxa studied Vascular plants. Methods We used a dataset representative vegetation, consisting 8,928 plots...
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 Aims The Raunkiær's system classifies vascular plants into life forms based on the position of renewal buds during periods unfavourable for plant growth. Despite importance ecological research, a study exploring diversity and distribution continental scale is missing. We aim to (i) map in European vegetation (ii) test effects bioclimatic variables while controlling habitat‐specific responses. Location Europe. Methods used data 8883 species recorded 546,501 plots different habitats...
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 Questions What are the main floristic patterns in European beech forests? Which classification at alliance and suballiance level is most convincing? Location Europe Asia Minor. Methods We applied a TWINSPAN to data set of 24 605 relevés covering whole range Fagus sylvatica forests western part orientalis forests. identified ‘operational phytosociological units’ (OPUs), which were used for further analysis. The position each OPU along soil pH temperature gradient was evaluated using...
Abstract Aim The former continental‐scale studies modelled coarse‐grained plant species‐richness patterns (gamma diversity). Here we aim to refine this information for European forests by (a) modelling the number of vascular species that co‐occur in local communities (alpha diversity) within spatial units 400 m 2 ; and (b) assessing factors likely determining observed alpha diversity. Location Europe roughly 12°W–30°E 35–60°N. Taxon Vascular plants. Methods numbers co‐occurring were counted...
Abstract The first comprehensive phytosociological classification of all vegetation types in Europe (EuroVegChecklist; Applied Vegetation Science , 2016, 19 3–264) contained brief descriptions each type. However, these were not standardized and mentioned only the most distinct features practical application system could be enhanced if users had option to select sets based on various combinations structural, ecological, biogeographical attributes. Based a literature review expert knowledge,...
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 Questions Which environmental factors influence fine‐grain beta diversity of vegetation and do they vary among taxonomic groups? Location Palaearctic biogeographic realm. Methods We extracted 4,654 nested‐plot series with at least four different grain sizes between 0.0001 m² 1,024 from the GrassPlot database, covering a wide range grassland other open habitat types. derived extensive structural information for these series. For each groups (vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens,...
Abstract Questions The human‐related spread of alien plants has serious environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Therefore, it is important to know which habitats are most threatened by invasion why. We studied a wide range European grasslands assess: (a) species the successful invaders in grasslands; (b) how levels differ across regions (countries or their parts) biogeographical regions; (c) habitat types invaded. Location Europe. Methods selected 97,411 grassland vegetation plots from...
Abstract Questions: Studying dry grasslands in a previously unexplored region, we asked: (a) which environmental factors drive the diversity patterns vegetation; (b) are taxonomic groups (vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens) and functional vascular plant differently affected; (c) how is fine‐grain beta affected by drivers? Location: Northwestern Central Bulgaria. Methods: We sampled data plant, terricolous bryophyte lichen species 97 10‐m 2 plots 15 nested‐plot series with seven grain sizes...
Abstract Aim Alpine habitats support unique biodiversity confined to high‐elevation areas in the current interglacial. Plant diversity these may respond area, environment, connectivity and isolation, yet factors have been rarely evaluated concert. Here we investigate major determinants of regional species pools alpine grasslands, responses their constituent groups. Location European mountains below 50° N. Time period Between 1928 2019. Major taxa studied Vascular plants. Methods We compiled...
Abstract Questions European woodlands harbor at least 386 alien plant species but the factors driving local invasions remain unknown. By using a large vegetation‐plot database, we asked how richness and abundance of vary by regions, elevation, climate, soil properties, human disturbance, habitat types. Location Western, central southern Europe. Methods We linked consolidated data from Vegetation Archive (16,211 plots) to classification scheme, properties disturbance variables. In addition,...
Abstract Aim Plant functional traits summarize the main variability in plant form and function across taxa biomes. We assess whether geographic range size, climatic niche local abundance of plants can be predicted by sets (trait syndromes) or are driven single traits. Location Eurasia. Methods Species distribution maps were extracted from Chorological Database Halle to derive information on size for 456 herbaceous, dwarf shrub species. estimated species abundances based 740,113 vegetation...