Annual of Natural Sciences Department

Educational ecotourism in Bulgaria - opportunities to expand good practices

Adelina Stoyanova — 2024-12-30

Educational ecotourism involves travel with learning experiences focused on environmental protection and natural resources sustainable use. The research purpose is to indicate opportunities for good practices expanding in offering educational ecological tourism with an ornithological orientation in Western Bulgaria, along the route of the Via Aristotelis transcontinental bird migration route. Three well-developed destinations have been studied - Kresna Gorge, Eastern Rhodopes, Vrachanski Balkan Natural Park. A proposal has been made to expand their scope by increasing the tourist attractiveness of the Ognyanovo dam as a destination for practicing educational ecological tourism with an ornithological orientation based on an analysis of existing good practices.

Waste bioconversion by black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)

Lyubomir Nikovski — 2024-12-30

Black soldier fly larvae have (Hermetia illucens) emerged as a promising sustainable protein source for animal feed. However, their commercial-scale production often relies on costly feedstocks. This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating biological waste from juice production into larval diets. The objective is to determine the optimal inclusion rate of this waste, up to 30%, without compromising larval growth, development, and nutritional quality. By evaluating larval biomass, survival rates, and nutrient profiles, this research aims to contribute to the development of more cost-effective and environmentally friendly BSFL production practices.

A comparative analysis of the implemented environmental responsibility of businesses and its enhancement through ESG regulations in the context of the global sustainability

Radka Peneva — 2024-12-30

The environmental responsibility of modern business organisations is becoming a leading criteria for a successful business model in the 21st century. The existence of the businesses and the environmental protection are in a right-proportional correlation as the modeling of a sustainable corporate behavior is a decisive factor in the care for nature. Businesses enhance their commitment to global environmental issues through regulatory pressure in the face of ESG regulations or voluntarily, while also building a competitive advantage regarding their long-term future positioningin the context of the global sustainability. A comparative analysis of the reported public information on the environmental sustainability of three of the leading companies operating on the Bulgarian market - IKEA, Ideal Standart and Devin - is performed within the presented article, revealing the successful example of the enhancing environmental responsibility of business and allowing the derivation of essential conclusions regarding the sustainable existence of business and nature together.

Landslide crises in Bulgaria for the period 2010 – 2020

Ralitza Berberova — 2024-12-30

Crises, caused by landslides, are registered every year in Bulgaria. Official statistic data analysis for the period 2010 – 2020 show a reduction in their number after the reported peak in 2015. Nearly half of the total number of crises in our country are registered in only three regions located in two landslide areas.

Integration of renewable energy systems in the infrastructure of smart cities

Nikolay Nikolov — 2024-12-30

All initiatives related to the reduction of energy consumption, the use of renewable energy sources and the construction of smart cities are the main priorities of modern society. Profitability, ecological footprint, and reliability are factors that determine the investment choice. Globally, there is growing commitment to climate change mitigation, with the research community and businesses innovating in smart cities, green energy, and energy efficiency. The report examines the importance of renewable energy in making cities bright and the challenges and prospects for using renewable energy. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal, have significant potential to generate clean, abundant energy without the harmful emissions associated with fossil fuels. It is crucial to understand the importance of renewable energy sources and the critical role that smart meters play in realizing their full potential.

Editorial

Editorial Board — 2024-12-30