Mariyana Ivanova Lyubenova

Ecology Professor, Lecturer, 40 years work experience

Currently

2016 - Present Professor

Work Experience

2000 – 2015 Assoc. Professor in Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
Responsibilities: Lecturer, manager of scientific investigations and teams

1993 - 2000 Chief Assistant in Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Lecturer, manager of scientific investigations

1989 - 1993 Senior Assistant in Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Teacher, member of scientific teams, responsible for carrying out scientific tasks

1986 - 1989 Assistant in Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Teacher, member of scientific teams

1981 - 1986 Biologist in Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Assistance in teaching and research

1979 - 1981 Biologist Institute of Botanic and Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia Assistance in researches in the area of plant ecology – structure and function of plant communities, forest ecology

1978 - 1979 Biologist in Institute of Plant Physiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia Assistance in researches in the area of mineral nutrition of hydro sprout and crops

Teaching experience

1986 - Present Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Sofia University st. “Kliment Ohridski”

Courses

For bachelor degree:
  “Ecology and environmental protection”
  “Bio resources and their protection “
  “Methods of ecological researches”
  “Ecological monitoring”

For master degree:
  “Functional biocoenology”
  “Phytoecology”
  “Ecotoxicology”
  “Chronoecology”
  “Natural ecosystems”

Head of 53 masters graduate students Leader and advisor to five PhD students

Education and training

1984-1988 Doctor in Institute of Botany and Mycology, Bulgarian Academy for Sciences, Sofia
Title of dissertation: “Primary biological production and energetic reserves of Quercus frainetto- Quercus cerris forest ecosystems in Vakarelska mountain”
Head: Prof. Dr. I.A.Bondev
Focus: Field and Laboratory study of the species composition and dominant species structure of plant communities, structure and amount of overhead and below ground biomass and primary production, efficiency, energy flow, intensity of the biological cycle in oak forests.

1973-1978 Doctor of biological sciences in Sofia University, Department of Biology
Title of thesis: “Influence of water-soluble bioactive substances from Nicotiana tabacum L. on the quantity and quality of hamazulen oil of Matricaria hamomilla L.”
Head: Prof. Dr. I.A.Bondev
Focus: Field and laboratory research in connection with the introduction of chamomile as a second crop in seytboobrashtenie with Nicotiana tabacum L.

Personal skills and competences

Mother tongue  Bulgarian

Other languages

	Writing	Speaking	Understanding
			Listening/Reading
English	C1	B2	B2
Russian	B2	B2	B2

Social skills and competences

  Participated in international seminars of non-government organizations on environmental problems in Turkey, Macedonia and Austria.
  Reviewer of doctoral theses, research works to specialized scientific counsels and of scientific books and journals.
  Rapporteur in the Scientific commission on Agronomy and Forestry,
  Higher Attestation Commission for discussion of scientific degrees and academic degrees.
  Good communication skills

Organisational skills and competences

Member of:

• European Geosciences Union,
• EGU Balkan Environmental Federation
• Balkan Academy of Science and Culture
• Union of scientists in Bulgaria, Section Biology
• AASCIT
• Editorial Board of International Journal of Ecological Science and Environmental Engineering
• Editorial Board of Journal of Balkan Ecology
• Editorial Board of the book Botany of the Annual of Sofia University
• President of NGO “Europe for all”
• Association of Innovative Economy
• Bulgarian Geographic Society

Member of the MC of 5 COST Actions:

• ES 0805 TERRABITES
• ES1101 HARMBIO
• FP1106 STReSS
• FP1304 PROFAUND
• CA15206 PESFOR

Member of the Advisory Board of the Directory of Vitosha Nature Park

Member of advanced and specialized councils and committees Member of the school commission of the faculty of Biology - to 2006

Responsible - Scientific research work at the department until 2013

Technical skills and competences

  Water bomb calorimeters, ecotoxicology tests and Lintab

Computer skills and competences

  Good computer skills and experience in working with Microsoft Office.
   Statistical packages Excel, Statistika and Statgraphics.
  Experience with Revere;
  Driving license category B

Artistic skills and competences

  HOBBY - WRITING

Focus of the scientific research

In the field of structural and functional Plant ecology,
Ecosystem modeling
Plant monitoring and Protection: Problems affecting allelopathy, primary production, net assimilation, biological turnover, energy flux and energy use, accumulation of organic elements and toxicants in plant biomass.
Research also affect issues such as: plant diversity, ecosystem health and risk assessment, rational use, conservation and regeneration of plants and their communities , modeling and the usage of monitoring data (as dendro- chronology) for diagnostics, prediction and protection of the environment and vegetation.

Scientific publications: 11 books and 149 papers;
Total citations: 220; H index - 4;
Scientific projects - 37 (16 international);
Leader of 18 projects.
Key words: plant ecology, functional ecology, dendrochronology, plant monitoring, ecosystem services, ecotoxicology, ecosystem modeling, vegetation protection

PROJECTS

International and Operational programs

COST Action CA15206 PESFOR 2016-2020 “Payments for Ecosystem Services (Forests for Water)” - MC member and national coordinator.

COST Action FP1304 PROFOUND 2014 -2018 “Towards robust PROjections of European FOrests UNDer climate change” – MC member and national coordinator.

COST Action FP1106 2012-2016 “STReESS - Studying Tree Responses to extreme Events: a SynthesiS” – MC member and national coordinator. COST Action ES0805- 12.06. 2009-2014 - The Terrestrial Biosphere in the Earth System – MC member and national coordinator; WG „Modeling Plant Ecology“.

COST FP Action ES1101 2012-2016 „Harmonizing Global Biodiversity Modelling (HarmBio) – MC member and national coordinator; WG“Standardized datasets of biodiversity and environment”.

Contract No 4-25-2008, Funding organization Austrian Science and Research Liaison Office, 2008 - 2009Description: p. A science based approach to understand biodiversity driven functions and services for improving wetland management; Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Investigations, BAS - expert.

Phare Aid/120600/D/SV/BG2007 – 2008 “Strengthening of administrative capacity at local level for implementation of environmental legislation” – expert.

BBI/MATRA Project № 014/2006 Alterra –Wageningen/Green BalkansWildlife Society/Bulgarian Foundation of Biodiversity/2006-2008. “Favourable Conservation Status of Nature - 2000. Habitats and Species in Bulgaria”. Zinstra, H. (manager). I. Marin (national coordinator) Task: Development of Criteria for Favourable Conservation Status of Species and Habitats (Inventory of conservation important regions and species in following districts – Osogovo Mountain, “Gabra” district, Dospat ravine) –Leader of field team.

BG051PO001-4.3.04-0033/2013-14 “Development and implementation of electronic forms of distance learning in the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University” St. Kliment Ohridski “. Operational Programme “Human Resources Development”, co-financed by the European Social Fund of the European Union – key expert

OP “Environment” / Consortium “Natura Bulgaria” E- 30-38 / 21.03.2011-25.03.2013 “Mapping and determine the conservation status of habitats and species - Phase I”. Team Leader - Lot 6 “Mapping and determine the conservation status of vascular plants, mosses and natural habitats”

OP “Human Resources Development / Project “Student practices “- 11.01.2013 / 31.10.2014- academic mentor of 10 trainees.

FINODEX_099/2015-2016. A Smart Forest Ecological Management System (ForEco) – leader.

TUNESinURB Project 2015-2017 – key expert

Bilateral

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund/France/2005 – 2007 ”Estimation of dynamics of structure and functions of Chestnut communities (Castanea sativa Mill.) – Belasica in condition of global climatic changes”. Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Investigations, BAS – consultant.

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund/France/2005 – 2007 “Plant biomonitoring of pollutants О3, NОX И SO2 in natural and urban environment. Initial studies in Bulgaria and comparison with the situation in France”. Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Investigations, BAS – consultant.

Institute of Botany and Mycology, BAS/University of Sofia/Sweden, Lund University/IMES/1997-2001/IEDA PROJECT: Integrated environmental diagnosis and assessment: Ecological systems at risk in Bulgaria - Montane and coastal forest communities – consultant.

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund/ Ministry of regional development, Bourgas Municipality/1992-1996 “The complex investigations about the structure and functions of the xerophytes /forest/ ecosystems in Bulgaria” – expert.

University of Sofia, Faculty of Biology, Department of Ecology/ Ministry of regional development , Etropole Municipality/1992-1994”The complex ecological and nature-protection investigation about biotopes and biocoenoces of natural and agricultural ecosystems in the region of Etropole district”. Manager: R. Doichev, SU – expert.

National

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund № DN 20/7 / 11.12.2017 - 2020 “Dendrochronology - Creation of millennial rocks for dating material cultural heritage in the Balkans” – Consultant

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund/№ДК0СТ 01/30 / 20.12.17 – 2019 “Development of a scheme for assessment of forest ecosystem services, efficiency of their provision through the creation of poles for the purpose of purification and protection of waters and other natural components in the regions” – Leader http://forestforwater.e-ecology.org/

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund/№ДК07РП02/21/2010-14 - „Application of information technologies for modelling of forest ecosystems as an approach for the development of dynamic global vegetation models ” – Team leader www.e-ecology.org

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund /ДДВУ0253/20.12.2010/2010-2013 “Role of the underground plant mass in the annual fixation of CO2 from forest ecosystems of main tree species in Bulgaria”. Forest University, Sofia – consultant.

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund/YS-BG/12.07/2002-2006, № 2354 “Phytocoenological investigations in reserve “Kamenshtiza”, Central Balkan Mountain”, Department of Ecology and EP, SU – consultant.

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund/YS-BG/ 2007-2008 “Research on environmental characteristics of chestnut forests for use as a model for multifunctional forest management”, University of Forestry, Sofia - consultant

Bulgarian National Scientific Fund/ № ВУ- АН- 4 /2005-2009 ”Dendroclimatic Analysis for Changes of Air Temperature and Precipitation in South-Western Bulgaria”. University of Forestry, Sofia – key expert.

Institutional

Scientific Fund of Faculty of Biology, Sofia University - 80_10_13/12.04.2017 - “Inventory of park systems in Sevlievo for valuation of their ecosystem services” - leader.

Scientific Fund of Faculty of Biology, Sofia University –132/04.2014 – Dendrochronological studies of oak forests in SCI “Zapadna Stara Planina i Predbalkan” – leader.

Scientific Fund of Faculty of Biology, Sofia University - №21/15.04.2013 - Functional researches of xerothermic oak ecosystems in SCI “Zapadna Stara Planina i Predbalkan” - leader.

Scientific Fund of Sofia University - N025/2009 “Investigations about connection between production and energetical level of water state in Zea mays L. Agro ecosystem at the conditions of “Dragalevtzi” Study – Experimental Base” - leader.

PUDООS/2006-2008: Red Book of Bulgaria, t. 3 – Nature habitats – expert.

Scientific Fund of Faculty of Biology, Sofia University - №351/2001-2002/№ 3356 ”Ecological assessment of the Juniperus excelsa L. state in “Tisata” Reserve and the influenced factors on the species decline” – key expert.

Scientific Fund of Faculty of Biology, Sofia University - 2001/2002 “Investigations about biological active substance in the Chenopodium botrys phytomass and ecological factors” – key expert.

Scientific Fund of Faculty of Biology, Sofia University - 358/2001-2002(N3360) “Ecological assessment of Piceeta excelsa L. formation state and the influence factors on the Norway spruce decline in the “Tchuprene” Biosphere Reserve, Western Balkan Mountains” – Leader.