Peter Shurulinkov (1)*, Girgina Daskalova (1, 2), Doncho Kirov (3),
Borislav Borisov (5), Lachezar Spasov (1), Andrey Ralev (4),
Ilian Stoev (3), and Alexandar Mechev (3)

(1) National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1000 Sofia,
1 Tsar Osvoboditel Str., Bulgaria. *Е-mail: p.shurulinkov@gmail.com
(2) Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, 8800 Sliven, 37 Georgi Ikonomov Str., Bulgaria.
E-mail: girginand@gmail.com
(3) Green Balkans Federation, 4000 Plovdiv, 1 Skopie Str., Bulgaria.
E-mail: office@greenbalkans.org
(4) Balkani Wildlife Society, 1142 Sofia, 93 Evlogi i Hristo Georgievi Str., Bulgaria.
E-mail: alibotush@gmail.com
(5) 6300 Haskovo, 15 Knyaz Dondukov Str., Bulgaria. E-mail: barsirbis@gmail.com

Study was completed in 2012 and 2013. A total of 163 bird species were registered during the
field studies and on the basis of literature sources. 121 species are breeding and 42 are transitory
migrants, wintering or wandering in the area. High number and population densities were registered
for some endangered species as White-backed woodpecker – 35–40 breeding pairs, overall
density – 0.24 pairs/100 ha, Red-breasted flycatcher – 80–110 pairs, density 1.1–5.5 pairs/100 ha
and Semi-collared flycatcher – 150–300 pairs, density – 7.5–24.3 pairs/100 ha. Also significant
populations of Corncrake, Grey-headed woodpecker and Black woodpecker were found. Breeding
of Goosander and Woodcock is probable. In the old beech forests two dominant species were
Robin and Common chaffinch, and subdominant were found to be Blackcap, Common chiffchaff,
Song thrush and Semi-collared flycatcher.
Key words: breeding populations, Central Stara Planina Mts., forest birds, protected territory.

Konstantin Zavyalov (1), Sergey Menshikov (1), Pavel Mohnachev (1),
Nadezda Kuzmina (1), Anton Potapenko (2), and Sezgin Ayan (3)*

(1) Botanical Garden Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia.
(2) Institute of Forest of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Gomel, Republic of Belarus.
(3) Kastamonu University, Faculty of Forestry, Silviculture Department, Kastamonu, Turkey.
*E-mail: sezginayan@gmail.com

Deforestation due to air pollution is a serious problem in industrial sites. Aim of this study was
to evaluate the impact of magnesite dust on growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Sukachyov’s
larch (Larix sukaczewii Dylis; Syn. Larix sibirica Ledeb.) and Silver birch (Betula pendula
Roth) planted in soil plots between 1980 and 1983 in Satkinsky District, Chelyabinsk. The trees
in zones of moderate and low pollution survived, while those in strongly polluted zones died with
the exception of Silver birch in soils ameliorated with 12 cm thick peat layer. However, in the zone
of strong pollution, coniferous species treated with only 2 cm thick peat layer and weak sulphuric
acid solution, grew better than the Silver birch. Twelve centimetres of peat layers could mitigate
dust impact on Silver birch, while their 2 cm thickness was not adequate. The dust pollution hit
the plants at strongly polluted sites more severely than those at sites with moderate and low
pollution. Silver birch and Scots pine trees were more severely impacted by dust pollution compared
to Sukachyov’s larch trees. Soil remediation is needed in strongly affected areas. While soil
remediation is not needed at moderately and low affected sites, these sites should be monitored
to avoid their degradation.

Asya Milenkova (1)*, Monika Konnert (2), Barbara Fussi (2), and Krasimira Petkova (1)

(1) Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry. University of Forestry. 10 Kliment Ohridski blvd.,
1797 Sofia, Bulgaria. E-mails: media_media@abv.bg*; kpet@abv.bg
(2) Bavarian Office for Forest Seeding and Planting, Forstamtplatz 1, 83317 Teisendorf, Germany.
E-mails: Monika.Konnert@asp.bayern.de; barbara.fussi@asp.bayern.de

Douglas-fir is one of the most frequently planted non-native coniferous tree species in the
recent past in Bulgaria. Based on phenotypic and morphological characteristics, the Douglas-fir
plantations in Bulgaria are attributed to the coastal variety (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii).
Genetic studies on variety identification are missing. The aim of the present study was to
assess the variety of four Douglas-fir stands in the region of Osogovo based on genetic markers
(isozymes and nuclear microsatellites) and to determine their genetic diversity and differentiation.
Both markers types clearly indicated that the investigated stands were of coastal variety. Genetic
diversity values were similar or even higher compared to coastal Douglas-fir natural stands,
indicating that the genetic variation in the artificial stands in Bulgaria is not significantly reduced.
The high level of genetic diversity is a prerequisite for good adaptation and vitality of the studied
plantations.

Oksana Tarnopilska (1,2), Sergiy Musienko (2)*, Oleksandr Lyalin (2),
Ludmila Tkach (2), and Vira Babenko (2)

(1) Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Melioration, 86, Pushkinska Street,
Kharkiv, 61024, Ukraine.
(2) O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Department of Forestry
and Horticulture. 17, Marshal Bazhanov Street, Kharkiv, 61002, Ukraine. *E-mail: lspg@ukr.net

The effect of selective and combination (row + selective) thinning of varying intensities on
mensuration characteristics, differentiation, and productivity of middle-aged plantations of Scots
pine was studied in southern Forest-Steppe in Ukraine. The experiment on thinning by combination
method in planted Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands was established in 1967 in
16-year-old pine plantations. The plantations were created in 1950 by one-year seedlings with 1.5
× 0.7 m spacing. The initial density of the stands was 9.5 thousand stems per ha. The experiment
included five variants of different thinning regimes: selective thinning of moderate intensity; combination
thinning with removal of every 4th row; combination thinning with removal of every 3rd row;
combination thinning with removal of every 2nd row; combination thinning with removal of every 4th
row at 16 years followed by combination thinning of middle rows at the age of 23. Thereafter, up
to 40 years of age, the plantations were thinned twice using selective thinning from below of low
and moderate intensity – 24 % by the growing stock volume. During the thinning, the plantations
were kept to a specified density. 64-years-old planted Scots pine stands with a density of about
650 stems∙ha-1, in which thinning was carried out by selective method of moderate intensity and
by combination (row+ select thinning) method of moderate and high intensities (with complete removal
of trees in every 2nd, or 3rd, or 4th row) at the age of 17 and the subsequent selective thinning
of moderate intensity, are scarcely different in mensuration characteristics. The best method was
the combination thinning with the removal of each 3rd or 4th row; the method can be recommended
for practice, given the high mensuration characteristics, productivity, and resistance of the thinned
stands against a physical load.

Alexander Bayura*, Vladimir Shlapak, Alexander Ostapchuk,
and Galina Ischuk

Department of Forestry, Uman National University of Horticulture, 1 Instytutska str.,
20305 Uman, Ukraine. *E-mail: sasha-uman@ukr.net

Growth and development of vegetative and generative organs of Common ash and its ornamental
forms – ʹAlbo-Variegataʹ, ʹAureaʹ, ʹCrispaʹ, ʹMonophylla Pendulaʹ and ʹPendulaʹ were
studied. The dates of swelling and bursting of vegetative and generative buds were established;
as well as dates of linear growth and lignification of sprouts, budding, flowering; separation, maturation,
colouring change and defoliation; fruit set, development, ripening and fruit abscission.
Intensity of growth of Common ash annual sprouts and duration of their growth in all studied
plants were determined. The results show that Fraxinus excelsior and its ornamental forms belong
to plants that later begin the vegetation (the second decade of April to the first decade of
May), which is characteristic of many heat-loving woody species. It was found that the rhythmic
of ornamental forms vegetation corresponds to climatic rhythm of Forest-Steppes of Ukraine and
it is an indicator of high adaptability to the conditions in the region.