Rehabilitation of wetlands and peatlands in the Center Region (RePeat)

Romania (RO)

Project facts

Project promoter:
Institute for Research and Development for Game Management and Mountain Resources Miercurea Ciuc(RO)
Project Number:
RO-ENVIRONMENT-0002
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€882,765
Donor Project Partners:
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)(NO)
Other Project Partners
National Agency for Protected Natural Areas(RO)
Programme:
Environment, Climate Change Adaptation and Ecosystems

More information

Description

The general objective of the wetlands and peatlands restoration in the Center region is to restore functions within degraded ecosystems, so that they can function autonomously, and consequently become an active peat bog, to accumulate peat and resume its pedochemical, pedo and hydrogeochemical functions, respectively, the species in specific habitats to function synergistically. The implementation of the project aims to restore the functions within the ecosystems by bringing back the positive hydrological balance and the plant associations characteristic of peatlands. The restoration actions on the ecosystems targeted by the project will be monitored throughout the implementation period and during the sustainability period of the project.

The general objective of the project consists in intervention works, in order to stop the biodiversity loss of the peatlands ecosystems in the Center area, the restoration of their water system, as well as the continuous monitoring of the ecological restoration works. The project comprises two main types of activities. The first one aims to monitor and assess the state of degradation of peatlands (this activity is necessary because the state of peatlands has changed considerably since previous evaluation, which was carried out within the PeatRO project), to assess the peatland ecosystems, the hydrogeological and geomorphological regime, to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics of the peat layer and water sources. The second type of activities include ecological rehabilitation works, and aims to reduce/eliminate the impact of grazing, to restore the optimal water regime, to eliminate invasive vegetation and biomass of grassy and dead wood vegetation, as well as a recolonization of characteristic vegetation in phytocenologically-degraded areas and landscaping thematic paths, both for educational purposes and for the realization of a guided tourism, with low impact on peatlands.

Summary of project results

The general objective of the project consists in intervention works, to stop the biodiversity loss of the peatland ecosystems in the Central area of Romania, the restoration of their water system, as well as the continuous monitoring of the ecological restoration works.

Based on the real and current situations found on the field, the concrete measures, needed to remove the pressures and threats, were proposed and applied in the project for the following 14 peatlands/wetlands (2.44 sq. km - situated in 11 declared areas of Central region of Romania): CV-004 – Muscoasa; CV-006 – Stăvilarul lui Kovács; HR-058 – Mlaștina Heveder - Kicsi Romlás; CV-008 – Tinovul Apa Roșie – Fagul Rotund; CV-010 – Movila Nisipoasă; HR-031 – Mlaștina Luc, Ruc – Fântâna Brazilor; HR-043 – Mlaștina Podul de Hârtie; HR-044 – Mlaștina Ramura Corundului; HR-042 – Mlaștina Fântâna Brazilor; HR-057 – Mlaștina de la nord-vest de satul Fântâna Brazilor; HR-035 – Mlaștina de la Pârâul Rușilor; HR-005 - Tinovul Luci Centru; HR-011 - Mlaștina Nádasfürdő; HR-009 – Mlaștina Nyirkert.

The project has fully achieved all its objectives and proposed results.

The project comprises two main types of activities:

  1. The first one aims to monitor and assess the state of degradation of peatlands ecosystems, the hydrogeological and geomorphological regime, to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics of the peat layer and water sources. This activity was necessary because the state of peatlands has changed considerably since the previous evaluation, which was carried out within the PeatRO project during 2009-2014 period.
  2. The second type of activities includes ecological rehabilitation works and aims to reduce/eliminate the impact of grazing, to restore the optimal water regime, to eliminate invasive vegetation and biomass of grassy and dead wood vegetation, as well as a recolonization of characteristic vegetation in phytocoenological degraded areas, and landscaping thematic paths, both for educational purposes and for the realization of a guided tourism, with low impact on peatlands.

Technical activities aiming the restoration of the 14 selected peatlands from the Central Region of Romania, had in view the implementation of the following technical specific objectives:

  • identification and evaluation of areas and subareas that require ecological restoration;
  • identification and evaluation of areas and subareas that require ecological restoration;
  • greening and eliminating invasive vegetation;
  • reconditioning and creation of thematic routes for educational purposes and for minimizing the impact of uncontrolled tourism;
  • prior- and post-intervention monitoring;
  • removal of invasive woody and grassy species;
  • elimination of biomass (non-specific vegetation and dead wood);
  • elimination / blocking of drainage channels;
  • disposal of illegal landfills;
  • removal / moving of gutters;
  • dam construction;
  • installation of electric fences;
  • maintenance works on bridges and passages;
  • recolonization with characteristic species;
  • overflow construction;
  • placing of pheromone traps;
  • realization of thematic routes.

The expected project results refer to:

  • obtaining 14 peatlands (2.44 sq. km) having the ecosystem ecological status improved, by applying of the appropriate restoration method, adapted specifically for each peatland/assessments of the degradation stage of these habitats
  • restoring the characteristic flora of peatlands;
  • optimization of hydrological and hydrogeological levels of peatlands;
  • decrease of anthropic influence;
  • realization of a rational and sustainable tourism;
  • elimination/reduction of invasive species;
  • improvement of water quality in peatlands;

installation of a modern system for monitoring and evaluating the hydrogeological parameters of the peatlands.

Through the implementation of the RePeat project, 7 direct results and 6 indirect results were achieved. 

As direct results can be mention: restoring the characteristic flora of peatlands, optimizing the hydrological and hydrogeological levels of peatlands, reducing the pressure of anthropic influence, contributing to the realization of rational and sustainable tourism, eliminating/reducing invasive species, improving the water quality in peatlands, respectively installing a modern system for monitoring and evaluating the hydrogeological parameters of peatlands.

The indirect results of the project were:

- increasing the capacity of Project Promoter and its Romanian Project Partner for the rehabilitation and ecological reconstruction of peatlands; 

- streamlining the internal activities of Project Promoter and its Romanian Project Partner regarding the hydrological and hydrogeological assessment of wetlands/peatlands;

- increasing the level of citizens'' information on peatlands and wetlands;

- increasing the level of information of citizens in the field of ecosystems specific to peatlands;

- restoring the hydrodynamic and interconnectivity regimes of peatlands with neighboring areas;

- the natural restoration of the fauna and micro-fauna specific to peatlands.

The project has fully achieved all its objectives and proposed results.

The implementation of the project activities led to the following achievements/results:

The direct beneficiaries of project results are:

  • Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests;
  • National Agency for Natural Protected Areas;
  • Research and Development Institute for Hunting and Mountain Resources, Miercurea Ciuc;
  • Landowners: compounds, individuals, administrative-territorial units;
  • Inhabitants - a total number of 26,150 people (redistents and tourists) benefit from the peatlands restoration works;
  • Environmental Protection Agencies in Harghita and Covasna Counties.

and the indirect beneficiaries are considered to be:

  • Educational institutions: schools, universities, professional research organizations;
  • Forestry administrative institutions: forest grounds in the administered area;
  • National Environmental Guard;
  • Counties (Harghita and Covasna) Councils.

Summary of bilateral results

The project was implemented in partnership with the Norwegian Bioeconomy Research Institute (NIBIO)- Partner 1, and the National Agency for Natural Protected Areas (ANANP) - Partner 2. The collaboration with the Partner from Norway was from the very beginning a very good and efficient one, being characterized by continuous consultation and support throughout the implementation of the project. The experts from Norway Partner participated in the specialized conference, organized in the second year of implementation, and the implementation team of Project Promoter participated in a study visit to Norway, at the beginning of 2024. Moreover, the pro-active collaboration between NIBIO and Project promoter continued even after the closure of the project, by submitting in partnership for a new project financed from EU funds.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.