The methodology of the project will be developed by testing different methods and approaches in several case studies located in the northern part of Bulgaria (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. Location of the case study areas.
Ogosta River basin
Ogosta river is located in the north-western part of Bulgaria. The river basin covers an area of 3157,1 km2. The upper part of the basin has been studied in several projects focused on various aspects of the environmental quality especially arsenic contamination. Publications of these studies are available here.
Malki Iskar River basin
Malki Iskar river is a right tributary of the longest river in Bulgaria – Iskar. It is located in the north-western part of Bulgaria. The river basin covers an area of 1284 km2. The basin has been studied in several flood risk assessment projects and flood regulation ecosystem services assessments. Publications of these studies are available here.
Brestnitsa karst geosystem
Brestnitsa karst geosystem is located in the Vit River valley, in the north-central part of Bulgaria and covers an area of about 60 km2. It represents a classical karst relief type for the territory of Bulgaria. The karst relief is represented by typical karst forms – a complete surface complex and more than 50 karst caves of different types.
Krushuna karst geosystem
Krushuna karst geosystem is located in the eastern part of the Devetaki Plateau, in the north-central part of Bulgaria. It represents a classical karst relief type affected by intensive anthropogenic pressure (agricultural and forestry activities, quarry developments, transport and socio-residential construction).
Sofia city
Sofia is the capital city and the biggest urban area in Bulgaria. Case study Sofia is located in the western part of Bulgaria and covers an area of 221.53 km2. It represents urban ecosystems and their subtypes as well as other main ecosystem types – croplands, grassland, woodland and forest, heathland and freshwaters. The case study has been studied as part of the INES project. The publication of this study is available here.
Seven Rila Lakes
The Seven Rila Lakes is a group of 7 glacial lakes situated in the North-West part of Rila Mountain at an altitude between 2100 and 2500 m. Out of 140 glacial lakes in Rila Mountain, the Seven Rila Lakes are the most visited and famous. Many factors contribute to the degradation of ecosystems in the protected area of the Seven Rila Lakes. Publication available here.