Degraded mires and peatlands restoration of North-West region of Romania (PEAT RO4)

Romania (RO)

Project facts

Project promoter:
Institute of Biology - Bucharest(RO)
Project Number:
RO-ENVIRONMENT-0014
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€553,594
Donor Project Partners:
The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research(NO)
Programme:
Environment, Climate Change Adaptation and Ecosystems

More information

Description

The general objective is to improve the ecological state of ecosystems, reduce the negative effects of human activities and reduce vulnerability to the impact of climate change.The main objective of the project refers to the restoration of 3 wetlands/peatlands grouped in a major geographical area of Romania, the North-West region (Cluj County). The specific objectives proposed are: 1. Restoring the structure and functions of 3 degraded peatland/wetland ecosystems; 2. Reducing the effects of climate change on 3 degraded peatland/wetland ecosystems; 3. Increasing the level of knowledge of local communities, interested parties, and public in general, regarding the importance of peatlands/wetlands;  4. Supporting local communities in reducing the effect and adapting to a changing climate. For each considered site, specific mechanical interventions are foreseen to stop drainage, limit water losses through evapo-transpiration, connect fragmented sites, limit human activities within the site, waste collection, etc. Another ecological activity targets the loss of biodiversity - the ex situ conservation of some endangered peatland phytotaxa and the control of invasive species. Activities to improve ecosystem services, such as people''s livelihoods and tourism attraction, are promoted through communication and educational events and the involvement of local communities. The success of the restoration is monitored by: assessments of groundwater levels, CO2 emissions, vegetation recovery and dynamics (indicator species), etc, and by the lens of local communities, being evaluated through contact and dialogue with local people, industry and local authorities. The expected results of the project are:  (i) the restoration of a total area of ​​8 ha; (ii) reduction of biodiversity losses and carbon emissions; (iii) reducing anthropogenic pressure on peatland/wetland ecosystems; (iv) an educated public that will prevent threats and be able to adapt, 

Summary of project results

The project implementation aimed to improve the ecological state of 3 peatlands ecosystems, cumulating a total area of 8 hectares (0,089 sq km), reducing the negative effects of human activities and reducing vulnerability to the impact of climate change.

The restoration works, helping to improve the functionalities of the 3 selected peatlands from the North-West Region of Romania, were developed in  Dâmbu Negru-Între Drumuri (CJ-020), Molhașul Călățele (CJ-015), Negrușul Finciului-Rovina Mare (CJ-022) bogs area.

In addition, the technical activities of the project also aimed at the ex-situ conservation of specific peatlands plant species, for their re-introduction into the restored habitats in case of biodiversity losses.

Another activity of the PeatRO4 project was the realization of a Preliminary Study on the establishment of a national germplasm bank for the spontaneous species of the Romanian flora. Thus, within the project was performed the evaluation of a number of 3759 plant species, by assigning points for each category of importance and prioritized them on a list for the inclusion in the collections (ranking the species in descending order of the total score). Also, the implementation of the protocols for the availability of plant material maintained in the National Germplasm Bank for species from the spontaneous flora of Romania, were developed.

These activities, carried out as part of the PeatRO4 project, are the first steps that help to establish/develop a national policy for the further achievement of a National Germplasm Bank for spontaneous flora species from Romania, as a tool for the long-term implementation of the National Strategy for the Conservation of Biodiversity (2025-2030).

Technical activities aiming the restoration of 3 selected wetlands/peatlands from the North-West Region of Romania, pursued the following technical specific objectives, respectively:

  • Restoring the structure and functions of those 3 degraded peatland/wetland ecosystems. The result of this activity is considered also the main result of the project (https://www.ibiol.ro/peatro4/sites.html).
  • Reducing the effects of climate change in peatland/wetland ecosystems in the North-West Region of Romania; from scientific point or view, the effects of climate changes are connected with biodiversity losses and carbon emissions.
  • Increasing the level of knowledge of local communities, stakeholders and the general public regarding the importance of peatlands/wetlands in the region, thus decreasing of the anthropogenic pressure on peatland/wetland ecosystems.
  • Support for local communities in mitigating and adapting to a changing climate, considering that an educated public will prevent threats and should be able to adapt to the nowadays challenges in the field of climate change and extreme phenomena.

The planned and developed project activities, entirely fulfilled, referred to:

  • Elaboration of preparatory documents necessary for the implementation of measures dedicated to ecosystems restoration;
  • Equipment purchase for technical-scientific measurements;
  • Establishing and implementing a monitoring system for the periodic assessment of peatlands/ wetlands status (peatland water level or peatland scarcity/lack of water, measurements of the peatland chemical composition;
  • The implementation of restoration works and monitoring the works and their effects for each individual peatland;
  • Ex-situ conservation of 7 plant species specific to peatlands (Carex brizoides, Myosotis scorpiodes; Gentiana asclepiadea; Carex rostrata Stokes; Calluna vulgaris; Pyrola rotundifolia și Epilobium palustre, iar pentru inițierea colecțiilor in vitro a fost colectat material vegetal al următoarelor specii: Calluna vulgaris, Succisa pratensis Moench și Pyrola rotundifolia L.) for their re-introduction into restored habitats if the case of biodiversity loss;
  • Promoting restored wetlands and peatlands for ecotourism and improving the livelihood of local communities;
  • Ecological education in peatlands and the importance of peatlands restoration;
  • Providing "green-training" for entrepreneurs for economic development in local communities - raising awareness for wetlands from these areas;
  • Implementation of the project communication plan for general public, as well as for scientific world – with focus on dissemination of information related to the the objectives and impact of the EEA FM 2014-2021 grants and on the project results.

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

  • 3 restoration plans (one for each peatland/wetland) with agreements from protected area custodians and local authorities;
  • A final technical report demonstrating the fact that the proposed activities improved the functions of the ecosystems where restoration works applied;
  • 3 restored wetlands/peatlands from the North – West Region of Romania, having a total area of 0,08 sq km, with improved ecosystem status;
  • 10,000 peoples benefiting from the restored peatlands;
  • ex-situ conservation of marches specific plant species for re-introduction into restored habitats (a number of 7 typical species were preserved in seed collections);
  • developed protocols for introduction and maintenance in vitro cultures of cells and tissues with high regeneration potential (for 7 species);
  • promoting restored marches and peatlands for ecotourism and improving livelihoods, by: creating an ecotourism development plan for the restored peatlands; creating the mobile version of the web page for each site (in Romanian and English) and QR codes for each site; creating and distributing informative brochures;
  • developing ecological education in peatlands and providing training to a number of 173 students from 16 classes, 3 secondary schools on the importance of restoring peatlands;
  • "eco-training" for economic development in local communities, by carrying out a number of demonstrations and training of beneficiaries belonging to 5 local contractors from different areas of entrepreneurship and local institutions;
  • implementation of the Communication Plan and organizing 3 information events: the project launch conference, 1 seminar on the exchange of experience - challenges and problems, and the closing conference of the project;
  • development of the project''s bilingual web page (https://www.ibiol.ro/peatro4/ro/detalii.html) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PeatRO.IBB/?locale=ro_RO  – creating more than 39 posts (photos, films) regarding the activities carried out in the field, educational and informational activities, etc. A web page dedicated to the project and a social media account were created, and permanently updated.
  • 3 informative panels, installed in the field in each peatland. For each restored peatland, a panel placed on the site ensure transparent and correct information dissemination about the project funds, the purpose, the objectives and also about the results of the project and its impact on factors of local interest.

The beneficiaries of project results are:

  • inhabitants;
  • land owners;
  • local authorities;
  • Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests;
  • Environmental Protection Agencies;
  • professional research organizations on a national level and from abroad (state and private universities, research institutions, NGOs, etc.);
  • students, graduates and young researchers, researchers with different degrees of experience (professionals);
  • pupils, students, other private persons (non-professionals with a desire acquire knowledge).

Summary of bilateral results

Collaboration the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research – NINA started with the call from the fund for bilateral relations. It was an active exchange of knowledge, materials and ideas, constructive suggestions (effective planning), which led to added value in the implementation of the project activities. Activities to promote restored wetlands for ecotourism/livelihood improvement were also carried out in collaboration with NINA partner. Promotional materials developed together were very successful among students and teachers. "Eco-Training" of local entrepreneurs for economic development was the most innovative activity proposed by NINA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWKW8r4YGFw&ab_channel=Naturforskning).NINA experts participated in the project''s conferences and seminar, having highly appreciated presentations, and constantly disseminated PeatRO4 information on the NINA website, the personal and institutional social media pages.During the work visits the NINA specialists highlighted the main similarities and differences between the Norwegian and Romanian peatland ecosystems.

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.