Download Romania Biodiversity

ROMANIA
BIODIVERSITY
As a consequence of its geographical location and evolution of the
human society in the region, Romania has a unique and high level of
biodiversity and intact ecological systems. The vast reed beds of the
Danube Delta, the high density of large carnivores and the extensive
forests covering the Carpathian Mountains are some of the most
significant and best known aspects attesting Romania's biological
richness.
Ecosystems Diversity
The extensive range of ecosystem
types occurring in Romania is the result of
influences from climate and elevation. A major
importance in affecting ecological conditions
have the Carpathian Mountains, 60% of which
are located in Romania. A total of 17 major
terrestrial ecosystem formations exist in
Romania, including all the major ecosystem
types existing in Europe. There is also a rich
diversity of aquatic ecosystems, including river
floodplains, glacial lakes, coastal wetlands, bogs
and mountain rivers.
In the more humid regions, at lower altitudes (up
to 300 m), broad-leaved forests predominate. In
the less humid climate areas there are the
steppe grasslands, while in the mixing areas
between the two regions there is a zone of
silvosteppe containing a mix of forests and
grasslands.
• The three major vegetation areas in Romania are:
the alpine zone, the forest zone and the steppe zone.
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A total of about 3,700 species of higher plants exist in Romania. Among them, 39
species are endangered, 171 are vulnerable, and 1,256 are rare species according
to the Red List of Higher Plants of Romania, as established by the Romanian
Academy in 1994. Grassland species include 37% of the total species represented,
while 74 species of higher plants are extinct. About 600 species of algae and a total
of more than 700 species of marine and coastal plants exist. A very high percentage
of the species of plants (4%) are endemic. In total there are 57 endemic taxa
(species and subspecies) and 171 subendemic taxa (with their territory lying mostly
in Romania).
In addition to manifesting a high level of
plant diversity, Romania is particularly
important as a centre of population
density for a variety of animals. Of
greatest significance is the favourable
state of the bear, wolf and lynx
populations. All three large carnivore
species are a symbol for the wilderness
of habitats. Because of their ecological
position at the top of the food pyramid
they have a strong role in the state of
the ungulate populations. The state of
the ungulate population has in its turn a
large influence on plant communities
and overall ecological state. The
maintenance of stable and healthy
population of large carnivores in
Romania provides a base for the
repopulation with these species of other
areas within Europe.
Romania hosts more than 33,802
other species, sub-species and
varieties of animals, out of which
33,085 invertebrates and 707
vertebrates. The vertebrates
comprise a number of 191 species
of fish, 9 of which are endangered,
20 amphibian species, 9 of which
are endangered, 30 species of
reptiles, 6 of which are endangered,
364 species of nesting and
migratory birds, 2 of which are
extinct and 6 are endangered, and
102 species of mammals, 2 of which
are extinct and 2 are endangered.
The insect fauna are includes 227
species specifically adapted to the
underground life in caves, 97% of
which are endemic. Of the total
Romanian fauna more than 1,000
species are considered endemic
although the geographical
distribution of many of these species
is only poorly known.
A rich hydrological network
contributes to the enhancement
of biodiversity. Over 1000 km of
the Danube River and many of
its tributaries flow through
Romania. Before the river flows
into the Black Sea, the Danube
Delta spreads over a surface of
about 580,000 ha (113,000 ha of
which are permanently covered
by water). It is the largest delta
in Europe and conserves a very
wide range of biodiversity
specific to wetlands. The
Danube Delta has been awarded
the status of Biosphere Reserve
in 1990, and has been registered
as Ramsar Site and world
natural heritage site since 1991.
The Danube Delta is the place where hundreds of
species of birds exist, including pelicans, swans,
wild geese and flamingos, birds that are protected
by law. The delta is also a seasonal stopover for
migratory birds.
Some rare species from the Danube Delta are
pelicans
flamingo,
cormorant
Red-breasted Goose, White-fronted Goose and the Mute Swan
Romania's territory also includes a large portion of the Black Sea coast (228
km) and associated sand dune and coastal ecosystems. Also, more than 8,000
caves, located primarily in the south-west of the country, add to the richness of
the ecosystem diversity.
Biodiversity in Romania in numbers
In Romania about 3,700 plant species
have been identified, out of which 23
are declared natural monuments, 74
are extinct species, 39 are endangered
species, 171 are vulnerable species
and 1253 rare species. 33.792 animal
species have been identfied, out of
which 33.085 invertebrates and 707
vertebrates.
Climate change might be a threat for Romanian
biodiversity in the following ways:
•
modifications of the species behavior, as a result of the
stress induced on their adaptation capacity (shorter
hibernation period, the modification of the behavioral
physiology of the animals as a result of the hydric and
thermal stress or the stress by solar radiation; the
impossibility to provide the transpiration conditions at
normal physiological levels, negative irreversible
influences on the migratory species, disturbance of plants
evapo-transpiration, essential changes in the plants
rhizosphere which may lead to their extinction);
•
modification of the habitats’ distribution and composition
as a result of the change in the species structure;
•
increase of the exotic species at the level of the actual
natural habitats and the increase of their potential to
become invasive;
•
modification of the distribution of the ecosystems specific
to wet areas, with the possible limitation up to their
extinction;
•
changes in the freshwater and marine aquatic ecosystems
generated by water warming and sea level rise;
Highest priority for conservation in
Romania should be on:
• The Danube Delta complex of
ecosystems;
• Low attitude, broad-leaved
forests on the plains;
• Danube River floodplain
ecosystems – especially the
shallow lakes;
• Brackish water lagoons.
ADAPTATION STRATEGIES
A selection of adaptation strategies that has
been proposed:
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Creation of a national monitoring system for the endangered species;
Management plans of the natural habitats to prevent and limit the
degradation process of these habitats as a result of the climate change
impact;
Decrease of the additional pressures which affect vulnerable species;
Decrease of the agricultural activities in the areas directly affected and the
implementation of appropriate measures to protect the natural and seminatural habitats close to the agricultural areas, including the identification of
compensatory measures necessary for the survival of the affected
population;
Reduce the impact of industrial activities on the underground water and air
quality, by isolation with forest belts;
Increase forest areas by the rehabilitation of waste and other areas.