Review of habitat distribution, conservation status and human impact: the case of one Natura 2000 site in the Eastern Carpathians (Romania)

The small-sized gametophytes and sporophytes of the green shield-moss Buxbaumia viridis (Moug.) Brid. make it difficult to study. However, in Europe, there has been increasing interest in this species in the past few years, mostly as a result of the implementation of the Natura 2000 network. In Poland, B. viridis has only been reported in isolated studies that have been limited in terms of area and the number of participating workers. One of the Polish regions where B. viridis was recently recorded is the Bieszczady Mountains, but there have been no large-scale surveys of that region to date. The objective of the current work was to describe the B. viridis population in the Bieszczady Mountains in terms of its spatial distribution and abundance, investigate its selected microhabitat preferences, and evaluate the conservation status of this moss species within the Natura 2000 site Bieszczady PLC180001. The studied region encompassed 93,490.44 ha, including 69,056.23 ha of managed forests and 24,434.21 ha of forests belonging to the Bieszczady National Park. A preliminary survey was conducted in the Cisna Forest District (forest area of 19,555.82 ha) on 15–17 November 2017, while the main survey was performed in selected forest subcompartments of four forest districts—Baligród, Komańcza, Lutowiska, and Stuposiany—as well as the Bieszczady National Park from 5 to 16 November 2018. The field work consisted of searching for B. viridis sporophytes and setae and recording selected population and locality characteristics. The study led to the discovery of 353 new B. viridis localities in 202 study areas, with 9197 diploid individuals (sporophytes or setae only) growing in 545 microhabitats. The number of B. viridis localities discovered in the Bieszczady Mountains during 17 days of survey in 2017 and 2018 was two times higher than the combined number of localities previously found in Poland over more than 150 years (159 localities). Additionally, the number of sporophytes and setae identified was two times greater than their overall number in previous records. In addition, this study provides information about selected microhabitat preferences and the conservation status of this moss in the Bieszczady Natura 2000 site.

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Natura 2000 sites and fisheries in German offshore waters

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1093/icesjms/fsn193 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 155-169 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Søren Anker Pedersen ◽

Heino Fock ◽

Jochen Krause ◽

Christian Pusch ◽

Anne L. Sell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Marine Mammals ◽

Fishery Management ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Management Measures ◽

Favourable Conservation Status ◽

Management Plans ◽

Natura 2000 Site ◽

Environmentally Sound ◽

Fishing Impacts

Abstract Pedersen, S. A., Fock, H., Krause, J., Pusch, C., Sell, A. L., Böttcher, U., Rogers, S. I., Sköld, M., Skov, H., Podolska, M., Piet, G. J., and Rice, J. C. 2009. Natura 2000 sites and fisheries in German offshore waters.–ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 155–169. The principal objective of sites selected as part of Natura 2000 is to achieve or maintain a favourable conservation status of habitats and species named in the EU Birds and Habitats directives. In the German exclusive economic zone, the habitat types protected by this legislation are sandbanks and reefs; protected species include marine mammals, seabirds, and specific migratory fish species. The ICES project Environmentally Sound Fishery Management in Protected Areas (EMPAS) aims to answer two questions: (i) To what extent do specific fishing activities significantly threaten attainment of the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 sites? (ii) What management measures would reduce these conflicts and how effective would they be at helping to ensure the favourable condition of these sites? Assessments of fishing impacts on Natura 2000 sites require basic data on the conservation status of individual habitats and species, as well as data for fine-scale distributions of ongoing fishing activities. This paper describes and discusses the process used by the EMPAS project in developing fishery-management plans for each Natura 2000 site in German offshore waters.

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Terrestrial and aquatic flora along a mesotrophic lake shore remaining under increasing human impact: a case study of Lake Powidzkie (Poland)

Biodiversity Research and Conservation ◽

10.2478/v10119-010-0009-z ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 73-90

Author(s):

Wojciech Stachnowicz

Keyword(s):

Alien Species ◽

Human Impact ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Life Forms ◽

Lake Shore ◽

Mesotrophic Lake ◽

Aquatic Flora ◽

Impatiens Parviflora ◽

Natura 2000 Site

Terrestrial and aquatic flora along a mesotrophic lake shore remaining under increasing human impact: a case study of Lake Powidzkie (Poland) Floristical investigations were carried out in 2009 in both terrestrial and littoral zones along the NW shore of the mesotrophic Lake Powidzkie (a Natura 2000 site: PLH300026). The results comprise: a general comparison of aquatic vs. terrestrial species richness; a census of 296 species of vascular plants and 7 species of charophytes; the taxonomical, biological (life forms) and geographical-historical (native vs. alien taxa) structure of vascular flora. Distribution of nationally and regionally threatened and legally protected species is presented on maps which illustrate that most of these taxa are concentrated in Lake Powidzkie and in its neighbourhood. The ongoing synanthropization of the flora is assessed and discussed considering localities of chosen alien species and their occurrence within natural plant communities: 21 of 27 aliens were recorded at least once in natural vegetation, whereas 4 of them (Aster lanceolatus, Elodea canadensis, Impatiens parviflora and Rhus typhina) formed their own, xenospontaneous communities. The main conclusion is that while the area still abounds in regionally valuable components of native biodiversity, it simultaneously is more and more threatened by increasing anthropopressure, which has already been manifested by the presence of many potentially invasive alien species.

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Particularities of the Aquatic Vegetation from “Iron Gates” Natura 2000 Site (Banat, Romania)

Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research ◽

10.1515/trser-2015-0035 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 87-114

Author(s):

Irina Goia ◽

Adrian Oprea

Keyword(s):

Plant Communities ◽

Protected Area ◽

Aquatic Vegetation ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Main Tool ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Danube River ◽

Social Strategies ◽

The Danube River ◽

Natura 2000 Site

Abstract The paper presents the results of investigations on the aquatic vegetation, along the Romanian bank of the Danube River, in the area of Porţile de Fier (“Iron Gates”; Mehedinţi and Caraş-Severin counties), a Natura 2000 site. Twenty-three plant communities were identified from Lemnetea minoris and Potametea pectinati classes. The survey led to the identification of some newly described phytocoenotaxons in this protected area. All the plant communities in this paper are documented by phytosociologic tables, being accompanied by coenotaxonomic, phytogeographical, ecological and social strategies analysis, in order to assess their conservation status, as the main tool for management decisions.

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Suport System for the Management of the Sabanejewia aurata (De Filippi, 1863) Populations of the ROSCI0227 – Sighișoara-Târnava Mare

Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research ◽

10.1515/trser-2015-0078 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 35-44

Author(s):

Doru Bănăduc ◽

Ioana-Cristina Cismaș ◽

Dan Miricescu ◽

Angela Curtean-Bănăduc

Keyword(s):

Computer Model ◽

Fish Species ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Computer Models ◽

Research Area ◽

Management Model ◽

Management Measures ◽

Natura 2000 Site

Abstract ADONIS:CE was used to design a computer model for the management of Sabanejewia aurata (De Filippi, 1863) populations in the Natura 2000 site of Sighişoara-Târnava Mare (ROSCI0227). The recommended management model is based on the environmental needs of the species, inventoried according to the local habitats, as well as the indicators of conservation status and relevant management measures, and takes into account human pressures and threats identified in the research area. Such computer models were established for all protected fish species found at the site ROSCI0227.

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Contribution of free satellite time-series images to mapping plant communities in the Mediterranean Natura 2000 site: the example of Biguglia Pond in Corse (France)

Mediterranean Botany ◽

10.5209/mbot.66535 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 181-191

Author(s):

Sébastien Rapinel ◽

Clémence Rozo ◽

Pauline Delbosc ◽

Frédéric Bioret ◽

Jan-Bernard Bouzillé ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Biogeographical Region ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Natura 2000 Site ◽

Time Series Images ◽

Sentinel 2

Mapping plant communities, which is essential to assess the conservation status of natural habitats, is currently based mainly on time-consuming field surveys without the use of satellite data. However, free image time-series with high spatial and temporal resolution have been available since 2015. This study assessed the contribution of Sentinel-2 time-series images to mapping the spatial distribution of 18 plant communities within a Natura 2000 site (1978 ha) located on the Mediterranean biogeographical region (Corsica, France). The method was based on random forest modeling of six Sentinel-2 images acquired from 26 February to 24 October 2017, which were calibrated and validated using a field vegetation map. The results showed that the 18 plant communities were modeled correctly, with 72% overall accuracy. The uncertainty map associated with the model indicated areas that required additional field observations.

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Ongoing Activities and Natura 2000

Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law ◽

10.1163/18760104-01101001 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 1-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hendrik Schoukens

Keyword(s):

Conservation Status ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Case Law ◽

Habitats Directive ◽

Bottom Line ◽

Member States ◽

Effective Implementation ◽

Court Of Justice ◽

Legitimate Interests ◽

Natura 2000 Site

The recent figures on the conservation status of EU protected habitats and species underscore the obvious need for a more stringent application of the protection rules included in Article 6 of the Habitats Directive on ongoing activities, such as dredging, recreation and forestry, with adverse effects on Natura 2000-sites. However, all too often the Member States refrain from scrutinizing harmful forms of existing use in already heavily degraded Natura 2000-sites. The economic concerns tied to the continuation of existing use often prevail over restoration considerations. This paper showcases that, despite submissions to the contrary, legitimate interests and legal certainty cannot, as such, preclude the application of the protection rules contained in Article 6 of the Habitats Directive in relation to ongoing activities. Whilst granting the Member States some leeway as to the application of the ex ante assessment rules to ongoing activities, the Court of Justice puts forward the protection duty enshrined in Article 6(2) of the Habitats Directive as bottom-line in relation to all possible ongoing activities which could lead to deterioration and/or significant disturbance of a Natura 2000-site. However, the recent case-law illustrates that many Member States are struggling with the effective implementation of the latter obligation.

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Romanian Natura 2000 Network: Evaluation of the Threats and Pressures through the Corine Land Cover Dataset

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs12132075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (13) ◽

pp. 2075 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Adrian Ursu ◽

Cristian Constantin Stoleriu ◽

Constantin Ion ◽

Vasile Jitariu ◽

Andrei Enea

Keyword(s):

Land Cover ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Land Cover Changes ◽

Corine Land Cover ◽

Before And After ◽

Natura 2000 Site ◽

New Guidelines ◽

The Impact

The present paper aims to evaluate if the Natura 2000 sites in Romania are placed over dynamic areas from a land cover changes perspective, or if they are placed in areas with low human interest and what the impact of these changes are. The effectiveness of conservation measures was addressed by analyzing the number of land cover changes and their areas in Natura 2000 sites, before and after declaring them as protected areas. Corine Land Cover (CLC) data were used as a tool to identify threats and pressures from each Natura 2000 site, and also assess whether land cover changes are more frequent in sites with a high biodiversity index, compared to those with low diversity, in order to estimate the conservation status. Changes in the land cover during 1990–2018 are characterized by three types of events, from 1990 to 2000 with most changes recorded, followed by a relative period of stability from 2000 to 2012; the most dynamic period is from 2012 to 2018. The main changes are due to deforestation. Only 29.7% ROSCI (Romanian Sites of Community Importance) and 36.5% ROSPA (Romanian Special Protected Areas) sites are characterized by a good degree of conservation without or with low modifications regarding the land cover. The most frequent threats and pressures that were found through CLC changes in the ROSCIs in Romania are related to forestry, grazing, the extent of the urbanized environment and those related to agriculture. The correspondence between Corine Land Cover and Natura 2000 specific threats and pressures emphasizes new guidelines for the Corine Land Cover program; therefore, this correspondence can be a potential tool to get more information for Natura 2000 sites.

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The Conservation Status of Grassland Habitats Belonging to Protected Areas from Oltenia ‘Natura 2000’ Site, Romania

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb.7.4.9726 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel RĂDUŢOIU

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Natura 2000 Site ◽

Grassland Habitats

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Conservation status and trends in the transformation of Molinia meadows in the Łąki w Komborni Natura 2000 site, SE Poland

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.1718 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria Ziaja ◽

Tomasz Wójcik ◽

Małgorzata Wrzesień

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Management Practices ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Protection Measures ◽

Mean Values ◽

Se Poland ◽

Meadow Communities ◽

Natura 2000 Site ◽

Mowing Regime

The aim of this study was to provide a phytosociological and ecological characterization of meadow communities in the Łąki w Komborni Natura 2000 site (SE Poland), assess the trends in their transformation, and indicate the major threats impacting on their conservation. The study was conducted in 2015–2016. Three types of meadow communities were distinguished (alliances Molinion, Arrhenatherion, Filipendulion), due to the absence of the species characteristic for associations. The species richness noted per relevé differed significantly between the types of meadows (Kruskal–Wallis test: H = 21.65, p < 0.05). The highest floristic biodiversity (H' = 2.99) was noted for the meadow patches classified as in the Molinion alliance and the lowest (H' = 2.50) was found for the patches from the Filipendulion alliance. Mean values of the ecological indicators (F, R, N) differed between the meadow communities. The greatest disparity was noted for the mean values of the soil moisture indicator (from 6.42 to 7.45). Patches classified in the Filipendulion alliance were developed on the wettest soil substratum, whereas the patches classified in the Arrhenatherion alliance were predominant on a relatively dry substratum. The abandonment of traditional management practices (grazing, mowing) has contributed to transformation of the Molinia meadows, disappearance of characteristic species and succession of shrubs. The Molinia meadow habitat should be conserved by improvement of protection measures (appropriate mowing regime and removal of biomass) to conserve a high species richness and the rare and protected plant species.

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