THE LOWER VALLEY OF THE TUNDZHA RIVER AND THE ADJACENT PROTECTED AREAS AND ZONES – CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE IN TERMS OF THE INVERTEBRATE FAUNA
TEODORA TEOFILOVA1*,SOFIYA MECHEVA2, DANIELA PILARSKA1,3
1-Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research (IBER), Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
2-Sofia University, Faculty of Biology, Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection
3-New Bulgarian University, Department of Natural Sciences
* Corresponding author: oberon_zoo@abv.bg
Keywords: Tundzha River, Invertebrata, conservation status and significance
Abstract: A critical review of the existing literature regarding the diversity of invertebrates identified in the area of the lower valley of the Tundzha River was done. We conducted in situ field observations for the purposes of exploring the invertebrate fauna and we found different complexes of species with conservation significance, including one new in the region of the Tundzha river valley ground beetle – Bembidion decolor. Ten main groups of threats of natural or anthropogenic origin, affecting the populations of the invertebrates existing in the area, were determined. We analyzed the condition of the habitats in the area and elaborated a package of proposals for measures restricting the influence of the negative factors and threats of anthropogenic origin on the biodiversity.