Annual of Natural Sciences Department

10 Years of Biological Sciences at New Bulgarian University

Galina Satchanska — 2022-12-30

Editorial

Editorial Board — 2022-12-30

Development of ornithological tourism in the Kresna Gorge – opportunity for conservation of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)

Adelina Savova — 2022-12-30

The Kresna Gorge attracts significant scientific ornithological interest as it is situated along one of the primary bird migration routes – Via Aristotelis. In 2010, a process of reintroducing the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) began in the area, which can now be deemed a success. However, there are still various anthropogenic factors that have a negative impact on the population’s resilience. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential for developing ornithological tourism contributing to the protection of the local population of Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus).

Results of a parents survey on the single-use baby nappies and waste treatment

Dilyana Elenkova — 2022-12-30

A recent survey results show that in 2017 in EU 0 – 2 years old children have been used approximately 33 billion single-use baby nappies which are generated about 6,7 tons of waste, or, only one baby needs 2200 single-use nappies and generates 438 kg of waste per year. Despite these single-use products contain plastic, there are no specific regulations for their waste treatment and also the price of their alternative option is higher. The choice of nappy types and waste treatment depends entirely on parents. This paper aims to investigate the Bulgarian parent attitude to single-use nappies, alternative products and separate waste collection.

Archaeology of landscape: field survey in the Valley of Hadzhiiska, Byala and Aheloy River

Zhivko Uzunov — 2022-12-30

In the autumn of 2020 and spring of 2021, archaeological and geological field surveys were conducted within the Nessebar and Pomorie municipalities, as part of the project “Archaeology of Landscape: Patterns of Reconstruction of the Ancient Environment.” The project aims to reconstruct the landscapes of the Southern slopes of The Emine Stara Planina Mountain during Antiquity, as well as investigate human impact on the environment and archaeological sites. During the surveys, 102 new archaeological sites were discovered (see Fig. 1). Two sites date back to the Late Chalcolithic period, four to the Late Bronze Age, and nine small settlements to the Early Iron Age. These settlements were located along the banks of the Aheloy River and Hadzhiiska River. The majority of the sites (51 settlements) date back to the second half of the 1st millennium BC. Eleven settlements were dated to the Archaic and Classical periods, and ten to the Hellenistic period. Thirty sites did not yield enough diagnostic artifacts, and thus were largely dated to the second half of the 1st millennium BC. The Early and Late Roman periods, as well as Late Antiquity, were represented by a total of 54 sites, with 13 sites from the Roman period and 41 from Late Antiquity. However, this remains a conditional division, as some of the sites from Late Antiquity could potentially date back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The Medieval period was represented by 46 sites, with three sites dating back to the earliest part of the period (8-10th century). These sites contain pottery from the First Bulgarian Kingdom, while eleven sites belong to the 10th-12th centuries, and eighteen sites to the 13th-14th centuries.

Theoretical concepts for building Smart cities

Nikolay Nikolov — 2022-12-30

Currently, the conversion of megacities into smart cities is a crucial factor in improving the residents’ quality of life. The goal of the smart city concept is to develop urban management via the use of technical tools that offer the latest technologies, while taking into account applicable environmental standards, conserving resources, and achieving expected results. This article reviews and analyses various research and publications pertaining to the theoretical concepts of smart cities. Different definitions of a smart city are presented, which demonstrate how smart cities are evolving into circular and green economies.

Some problems of the ecological assessment of real estate

Tsvetelina Marinova — 2022-12-30

Real estate investment is widely regarded as one of the most reliable and lucrative forms of investment. Unfortunately, properties are offered and purchased without even the most basic data of their ecological and geophysical characteristics – not only in Bulgaria, but also globally. This study presents a pioneer attempt to identify the various issues concerning the environmental valuation of real estate. The study outlines the components, objects, as well as methods and technical instruments for such evaluation.

Simultaneous TG/DTG-DSC analysis – application in ceramic artefacts

Katerina Mihaylova — 2022-12-30

The aim of this paper is to promote thermal analysis as a method for the study of archaeological ceramics. In order to achieve this goal, the nature of the thermal methods (thermal processes, types of thermal methods and their application) is described. Specific experimental measurements by simultaneous TG/DTG-DSC analysis of ceramic archaeological artifacts are also presented.