INVESTIGATION OF SOME MICROHABITATS IN BOTANICAL GARDEN “ECOPARK-VARNA” FOR “EX SITU” CONSERVATION PRACTICES
PETYA BOYCHEVA1*, NADEZHDA GEORGIEVA1, ROSSEN TZONEV2, KRASIMIR KOSEV1
1 – University Botanical Garden “Ecopark“, Varna, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
2 – Department of Ecology and Environment Protection, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
*Corresponding author: p.boicheva@abv.bg
Keywords: soil moisture; soil structure, nutritional elements, microclimate
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate abiotic conditions in some micro-habitats within the University Botanical Garden for ex situ plant conservation. Analyses aimed to determine whether environmental conditions are optimal for the breeding of the selected plants with conservation status. UBG ‘’Ecopark” habitats are characterized by certain differences in their abiotic conditions. For the purpose of the study three representative test sites were selected, representing typical habitats. Data on microclimate and soil samples by soil indicators were analyzed in three separate test sites by a stationary and a mobile weather station.