Degraded mires and peatlands of North-East 2 region of Romania (PeatRO3)

Description

The general objective of the project is to improve ecological status in targeted ecosystems, reducing the negative effects of human activities and reducing vulnerability to the impact of climate change.

The main goal of the project is the restoration of 7 wetlands/peatlands totalling a surface of 81.73 ha. The targeted areas are clustered in geographical zone of North-East 2 region (Suceava and Maramures counties) . For the 3 sites restoration schemes were already established, being available on the website of the call. the others 4 sites are part of the reserve list, also available on the website of the call.

Within the project implementation, for each site considered for reconstruction specific mechanical interventions will be done in order to stop drainage, limit water loss through evapotranspiration, connect fragmented sites, limit anthropogenic activities within the site, waste collection, etc.

Another category of ecological activities will be also undertaken in order to overcome biodiversity loss - ex situ conservation of some endangered peatland phytotaxa and invasive species control. Activities to improve ecosystem services, such as people''s livelihood and attraction for tourism, will be promoted through communication and education events and involvement of local communities.

In order to evaluate the success of restoration/reconstruction, some monitoring activities will be carried out too, including assessment of water table, of CO2 emissions, vegetation recovery and dynamics (indicator species) etc. The societal output from restoration to local communities will be evaluate by contact and dialog with local people, industry, and local authorities.

Summary of project results

Improving the ecological state of ecosystems, reducing the negative effects of human activities, and reducing vulnerability to the impact of climate change, by restoring 7 wetlands and peatlands in the North-East 2 Region of Romania, cumulating a total area of 0,82 sq km is the main challenge of the PeatRO3 project.

The project activities were developed for the following peatlands/wetlands: SV-013 - Tinovul Jinului, SV-024 - Bahnele Bancului 1, SV-025 - Bahnele Bancului 2, MM-032 Tau la Gutai (Taurile Chendroaiei), MM-014 - Mlastinile Vlaschinescu, SV-002 - Tinovul Sarul Dornei and SV-003 - Tinovul cel mare de la Cosna.

In connection with programme outcomes/outputs regarding “the achievement/preserving the good ecological status of the restored ecosystems”, one of the project activities refers also to the ex-situ conservation of specific peatlands plant species, measure which make possible, on long term, their re-introduction into restored habitats in case of biodiversity losses.

PeatRO3 project technical activities, aiming the restoration of 7 selected wetlands and peatlands from the North-East 1 Region of Romania, pursued 4 specific objectives during project implementation, respectively:

• Restoring the structure and functions of 7 degraded peatland/wetland ecosystems, having a total area of about 82 ha, from the North-East 2 Region of Romania (https://www.ibiol.ro/peatro3/sites.html) The result of this activity is considered also the main result of the project.
• Reduction of biodiversity losses and carbon emissions of 7 degraded peatland/wetland ecosystems in the North-East 2 Region of Romania.
• Decreasing of the anthropogenic pressure on peatland/wetland ecosystems, by increasing the level of knowledge of local communities, stakeholders and the general public in the North-East 2 Region of Romania referring the importance of peatlands/wetlands for the environment health.
• 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 plant species specific to peatlands for introduction into restored habitats;
• Promoting restored wetlands and peatlands for ecotourism and improving the livelihood of local communities;
• Ecological education in peatlands and the importance of peatland 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 of the project results.

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

• 7 restoration plans (one for each peatland/wetland) with agreements from protected area custodians and local authorities;
• A final technical report, demonstrating that the proposed activities improved the functions of the restored ecosystems within the project;
• 7 restored wetlands/peatlands from the North – East 2 Region of Romania, having a total area of 0.82 sq km, with improved ecosystem status;
• 20,000 peoples benefiting from the restored peatlands;
• ex-situ conservation of marches specific plant species for re-introduction into restored habitats (a number of 10 typical species were preserved in seed collections: Empetrum nigrum L., Lysimachia vulgaris L., Potentilla tormentilla (Crantz)  Neck, Vaccinium vitis- idaea L., Pedicularis sylvatica L. subsp. sylvatica, Juncus effusus L., Vaccinium microcarpum (Turcz. ex Rupr.) Schmalh., Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench, Carex echinata Murray, Calla palustris L.);
• developing protocols for introduction in vitro collection of cells and tissues with high regeneration potential (for 6 species: Vaccinium vitis- idaea L., Pedicularis sylvatica L. susp. sylvatica, Vaccinium myrtillus L., Andromeda polifolia L, Eriophorum vaginatum L., Empetrum nigrum L.);
• promoting restored peatlands for ecotourism and improving livelihoods, by: creating an ecotourism development plan for promoting 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 (3 types of leaflets and a map with restored peatlands - for the tourists attraction "The Tinoavelor Road");
• developing ecological education and providing training to a number of 396 pupils from 27 classes of 7 secondary schools, on the importance of restoring peatlands;
• "eco-training" for economic development in local communities, by carrying out a number of 6 demonstrations and training of 19 beneficiaries, belonging to 6 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/peatro3/ro/detalii.html) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PeatRO.IBB/?locale=ro_RO  – creating more than 58 posts (including photos and videos) 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.
• 7 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.
• Participation in different events (local or scientific – at national and international level) disseminating the importance of preserving peatland habitats.: the Forest Fruit Festival ( September 2-3, 2023) organized by the Coșna City Hall and Local Council; the National Entology Symposium (April 22, 2023) organized by the Romanian Lepidopterological Society, together with the Doctoral School "Integrative Biology" and the Faculty of Biology and Geology -"Babeș-Bolyai" University; the Annual Scientific Communications Session of the Department of Taxonomy, Ecology and Nature Protection (March 31, 2023), organized by the Romanian Academy.

In addition to the foreseen activities, following the inventory and monitoring activities of the flora and fauna associated with the peatland habitats proposed for restoration within the PeatRO3 project, the Promoter identified the presence of rare and protected species at European level (e.g. Leucorrhinia pectoralis, a  dragonfly species, protected at European level by the EU Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention, and also included in the Red Book of Invertebrates in Romania). At Bahnele Bancului 2 (SV-025), was found the moss species Buxbaumia viridis (also protected at EU level by the Habitats Directive), which is considered an indicator species for spruce forests in a good and very good conservation/protection state. At the same time, near the wooded peat bog - Tinovul cel Mare de la Coșna (SV-003), a viable population of purple butterfly (Lycaena helle) was discovered, a "glacial relic" whose populations are gradually disappearing from Romania due to climate change. All these species may become symbols of the areas where they were discovered and might be included in a regional strategy to boost local ecotourism development. These findings were fundamental for the development of extensive documentation and facilitated the publication of two scientific articles based on the PeatRO3 results.

The project results and activities addressed a large category of people, from the residents from the vicinity of restored areas to science experts and researchers. Generally, the beneficiaries of project results belongs to the following categories:

• 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, other private persons (non-professionals with a desire to acquire knowledge).