scholarly journals Natural heritage as a source of ecosystem services for recreation and tourism in Bulgaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
Mariyana Nikolova ◽  
Stoyan Nedkov ◽  
Bilyana Borisova ◽  
Miglena Zhiyanski ◽  
Stelian Dimitrov
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Recreation And Tourism

scholarly journals Prioritization of ecosystem services related to the natural heritage of Bulgaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Stoyan Nedkov ◽  
Radenka Mitova ◽  
Mariyana Nikolova ◽  
Bilyana Borisova ◽  
Desislava Hristova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Local Level ◽  
National Level ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Assessment Activity ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Step Algorithm ◽  
Recreation And Tourism

Natural heritage (NH) is an important element of the natural capital of each country, and as such, represents key assets that deliver various benefits to the citizens. The rich and diverse NH of Bulgaria is a prerequisite for the development of various activities such as recreation and tourism, but these activities have also negative impact on some of the NH’s elements. The concept of ecosystem services (ES) has the potential for bridging the gap between the conservation and exploitation needs. In this paper, we propose an approach to prioritizing the ES provided by the natural heritage of Bulgaria for the needs of recreation and tourism. The approach is designed for the mapping of the NH but it can also support the overall process of mapping and assessment of ES. It is based on application of ES prioritization matrix (ESPM) and a five-step algorithm designed to differentiate ES into priority levels according to their significance to recreation and tourism. Through the application of the proposed approach we were able to sort out the ES into three groups (high, medium and low priority) according to their importance to recreation and tourism. The first group contains obligatory ES for each mapping and assessment activity from national to local level. The second group contains optional ES recommended for studies at regional level, while the services can be selected according to the specifics of the study. The low priority ES are recommended for local level studies in cases where the assessment requires high details and accuracy. The mapping of high priority ES at national level shows that the products of the approach can be easily adapted for various studies for assessment of NH and sustainable tourism practices using the conventional mapping methods.

scholarly journals Cultural Ecosystem Services Assessment Based on Geomorphological Approach – Case Study in Sapa, Lao Cai Province

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dang Kinh Bac ◽  
Dang Van Bao ◽  
Benjamin Burkhard ◽  
Felix Müller ◽  
Giang Tuan Linh
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Research Area ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Paddy Fields ◽  
Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽  
Lao Cai ◽  
Recreation And Tourism

Recently, ecosystem services assessment has been developed as an effective tool to exchange and understand science, develop policies, especially in cultural ecosystem services. However, quantification and mapping of cultural ecosystem services are obstructed by complications in their definitions and suitable indicators. It can be solved based on a geomorphological approach. The similarities of related indicators between geomorphological resources and cultural ecosystem services can be a helpful key for quantifying a recreation and tourism, landscape aesthetics and cultural identity in a particular region. Therefore, study applied an Analytical Hiearchy Process (AHP) to cultural ecosystem services assessment in Sapa, Lao Cai province. Six indicators relating to geomorphology, ecology and social were used in the process. Results indicated a high potential of cultural ecosystem services supply in research area, especially in forest, water bodies and paddy fields. Two local regions, that have not brought into play their available geomorphological potential, need to be invested for cultural ecosystem services.

scholarly journals HERITAGE, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND OTHER ARGUMENTS TO NATURE RESERVES ADVOCACY

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.V. Chernykh ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Nature Reserves ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Absolute

Russian zapovedniks are one of the most effective forms of nature conservation. The arguments in defense of the absolute inviolability of the zapovedniks are: their invaluable role in preserving the natural heritage; the ability to monitor the climate changes in various landscapes; a wide range of regulating and supporting ecosystem services.

scholarly journals Mapping of ecosystems in Bulgaria for the needs of natural heritage assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 89-98
Author(s):  
Desislava Hristova ◽  
Vanya Stoycheva
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
National Level ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Gis Environment ◽  
Comparison Table ◽  
The Relationship

The main purpose of the paper is to explore the relationship between the CORINE Land Cover (CLC) classification and the MAES typology in order to develop a basis for mapping of ecosystems at national level in Bulgaria, which could ensure a spatial framework for mapping and assessment of the ecosystem services provided by the natural heritage. Identifying the necessary data for our purposes, we found that, in spatial terms, CLC data is the only appropriate data source. The subtypes of ecosystems at Level 3 of the classification of ecosystems in Bulgaria (based on the European MAES classification) are identified as mapping units. Firstly, we decided to analyze the links between the CLC and the MAES BG classes through five categories of correspondence: 1) full correspondence – one CLC class corresponds to one MAES BG subtype; 2) multi-directional links – one or more CLC classes correspond to one MAES BG subtype; 3) discrepancies that necessitate further analyses; 4) CLC classes that are not found in Bulgaria; 5) MAES BG subtypes that have no correspondence to a CLC class. Secondly, we prepared a comparison table to determine the correspondence between the CLC classes and ecosystem subtypes, which we integrated into the GIS environment. Thirdly, we developed an algorithm for modifications of the spatial distribution of ecosystem subtypes. The algorithm was applied particularly to grasslands, where at Level 3 of CLC there are two classes of "grassland”, whereas at Level 3 of the classification of ecosystems in Bulgaria, the subtypes are five. This algorithm was applied to the 2018 CLC spatial data so as to develop a GIS database providing the basis for subsequent analyzes related to ecosystems. The database was used to delineate and map the ecosystems at national level in Bulgaria. Furthermore, a map of the potential of the natural heritage to provide ecosystem services was produced.

scholarly journals Cultural ecosystem services for development of nature-based tourism in Bulgaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 81-87
Author(s):  
Mariyana Nikolova ◽  
Velimira Stoyanova ◽  
Desislava Varadzhakova ◽  
Aleksandra Ravnachka
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Different Types ◽  
New Type ◽  
The Rich

The rich and diverse Natural Heritage of Bulgaria is a prerequisite for the development of nature- based tourism (NBT) of a new type. The research is carried out by the implementation of the ecosystem approach. The results include an assessment of the natural heritage capacity to provide goods and services for the development of NBT in the Tourist Regions (TR) of Bulgaria. The results show the spatial distribution of the natural heritage sites in all nine TR in Bulgaria and their natural capacity for development of different types of NBT. There are only 37 municipalities out of 265 with not a one Natural Heritage (NH) site, and all the rest have natural resources to develop NBT. The results can be of use for the achievement of the goals for sustainable tourism by assessment of the capacity to provide recreation ecosystem services (RES).

scholarly journals Natural heritage: Provision of cultural ecosystem services from the Malyovitsa Range of the Rila National Park

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 41-59
Author(s):  
Mladen Silvestriev ◽  
Bilyana Borisova ◽  
Radenka Mitova
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
National Park ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Scientific Programme ◽  
Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Nature Education

Nature-based tourism and recreation are attracting attention today as the most favourable form of direct connection between people and nature, and as a very successful tool to motivate people to protect their natural heritage. This study aims to develop and test a methodology to assess the potential of an acknowledged natural heritage site in Bulgaria - Malyovitsa Range and Urdini Cirque in ‘Rila’ National Park to provide cultural ecosystem services. A holistic approach is applied, using landscapes as the main territorial unit, and source of information. For the purpose of practicing representative types of mountain tourism: ‘mountain hiking’, ‘nature education’ tourism, ‘ski touring’ and ‘mountaineering’ a total of 15 ecosystem services were assessed based on 25 biophysical and social indicators. ‘Primary forest landscapes on moraine materials’ and ‘Primary landscapes with mugo pine on igneous rocks’ receive the highest score. Based on the results obtained, an assessment of the mainstream activity - access to mountain hiking provided by the landscapes was carried out and two touristic routes with very high potential to deliver this service were identified. The results of the study are directed towards the responsible parties in support of the natural heritage conservation in Rila National Park through sustainable management the potential to provide cultural (recreational) ecosystem services. The research was conducted within the scientific programme of the project “Conceptualization, Flexible Methodology, and a Pilot Geospatial Platform for Access of the Bulgarian Natural Heritage to the European Digital Single Market of Knowledge and Information Services” within the project BG05M2OP001-1.001-0001 Establishment and Development of “Heritage BG” Centre of Excellence (Operational Program “Science and Education for Intelligent Growth”, priority Axis 1 “Research and technological development”).

scholarly journals A methodological framework for mapping and assessment of ecosystem services provided by the natural heritage in Bulgaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 7-18
Author(s):  
Stoyan Nedkov ◽  
Bilyana Borisova ◽  
Mariyana Nikolova ◽  
Miglena Zhiyanski ◽  
Stelian Dimitrov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Local Level ◽  
National Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Existence Value ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value

Natural heritage (NH) includes natural features that can be described as outstanding universal value at a national level. It refers to the importance of ecosystems, biodiversity, and geodiversity for their existence value, and the ecosystems can be considered as the spatial units for its mapping and assessment. The ecosystem services (ES) concept provides an appropriate basis in the form of assessment and mapping methods that enable linking the state of ecosystems with human well-being. Thus, it can be used as a platform to find solutions to the problems related to the conflicts between conservation and the use of the NH. In this paper, we aim to present the process of developing a methodological framework for mapping and assessment of ecosystem services provided by the natural heritage in Bulgaria for recreation and tourism. The conceptual framework of the ecosystem-based assessment of NH in Bulgaria is based on the assumption that the generation of NH for the needs of tourism can be presented as the linkages between the natural systems and tourism in the form of ES potential, flow, and demand. The results demonstrate that the NH can be presented as a spatial phenomenon conceptualized by the flows of benefits from ecosystems to people which contribute to human well-being. The mapping and assessment procedures are fully developed for application at a national level, while for the regional and local level, few pilot studies mark some basic foundations for further development.

scholarly journals Role of the cultural ecosystem services provided by natural heritage in forest territories for sustainable regional development

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 61-66
Author(s):  
Miglena Zhiyanski ◽  
Maria Glushkova ◽  
Yonko Dodev ◽  
Mariam Bozhilova ◽  
Rositsa Yaneva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Regional Development ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Employment Education

The paper focuses on the role of the Natural Heritage in Forest Areas (NHFA) as a resource that can generate economic, social and environmental benefits for society through the provision of a wide range of cultural ecosystem services. In the assessment of the role of NHFA, the approach for assessment and mapping of ES in a given territorial scope was applied in a pilot region of Velingrad Municipality, focusing on the capacity of the forest ecosystems to provide cultural ecosystem benefits and services to the people. The study confirms that the identification of NHFA could be a powerful driver for regional development by creating significant positive effects such as improving sustainable cultural tourism in forests, diversifying forestry and supporting sustainable development and management of forest areas. The integration of the cultural services of NHFA into forest-related legislation can encourage job creation in different sectors and for different levels of employment, education and cultural training. Evaluation and mapping of ecosystem services is an appropriate tool to support the development of a concept and methods for assessing and mapping the general knowledge framework for NHFA policy in Bulgaria by applying an interdisciplinary approach.

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