ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS, DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT OF CASTANEA SATIVA MILL. ECOSYSTEMS IN BULGARIA

The state of scientific research upon Castanea sativa Mill. in Bulgaria is presented. The distribution of Castanea sativa Mill. in Bulgaria is given as a projection Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM). The different ecological parameters, origin and management patterns of chestnuts ecosystems, being of importance for analyses of ecosystem dynamics and functioning are presented. An assessment of the effects of management practices on the ecosystem quality is carried out. The existing management constraints are discussed. This knowledge could be successfully implemented in suitable management practices and decision support systems by the local environmental polices for sustainable development.