Changes of Biological Quality Elements during rehabilitation activities in LTER site Srebarna Lake, (LTER EU BG 007 “SREBARNA”)

Rehabilitation efforts at Srebarna Lake, a UNESCO-listed Ramsar and Biosphere Reserve, reveal mixed impacts on its aquatic ecosystems. While restoration activities such as reconnecting the lake to the Danube River and removing silt aimed to mitigate eutrophication and habitat degradation, some biological quality elements experienced negative changes during these interventions. Monitoring of phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and macrophytes showed varied recovery rates, influenced by factors like seasonality, hydromorphology, and climate. Key metrics such as species diversity, trophic state index (TSI), and Hungarian lake phytoplankton index (HLPI) were tracked to assess ecological impacts. The findings underscore the complex interplay between restoration efforts and ecosystem resilience, highlighting the need for adaptive management strategies.

Vidinova, Y., Beshkova, M., Gyosheva, B., Ihtimanska, M., Kazakov, S., Tsavkova, V., & Ivanova, N. (2025). Changes of Biological Quality Elements during rehabilitation activities in LTER site Srebarna Lake, (LTER EU BG 007 “SREBARNA”). ARPHA Conference Abstracts, 8. https://doi.org/10.3897/aca.8.e151267