REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

FIRST NATIONAL REPORT on BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Authors: dr. Alexandru Teleut г (Project Manager), dr. Arcadie Capcelea (material analysis), dr. Petru Coc оrl г (material analysis), dr. habil. Tatiana Constantinov, dr. habil. Andrei Negru, dr. habil. Ion Todera є, dr. Dionisie Boaghie, dr. Mihai Gheorghit г, dr. Angela Lozan, Victor Zubarev International expert: dr. Anghelut г V гdineanu World Bank Coordinators: Ph. D. Phillip Brylski, Anatol Gobjil г Scientific Editor: dr. habil. Ion Dediu National Coordinating Committee: dr. habil. Valentin Bobeic г (chairman, Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development), dr. habil. Ion Todera є (Institute of Zoology, ASM), dr. Dumitru Drumea (National Institute of Ecology), dr. Andrei Dumbr гveanu („Ave-Natura” NGO), dr. Alexei Palancean (State Forestry Service), Andrei Conifescu (Ministry of Finance), Alecu Renit г (NG Organisation „Ecological Movement” of the Republic of Moldova), Mihai Rapcea (Ministry of Agriculture and Processing Industry) Official Reviewers: dr. habil. Alexandru Ciubotaru, dr. Andrei Munteanu With the participation of: Institute of Botany, ASM: dr. habil. Mihai Bodrug, dr. habil. Alexandru Ciubotaru, dr. habil. Vasile Florea, dr. habil. Ana Єtef вrt г, dr. Valentina Cantemir, dr. Ion Junghietu, dr. Єtefan Lazu, dr. Gheorghe Simonov, Afanasie Istrati Institute of Zoology, ASM: dr. Ion Chiriac, dr. Andrei Munteanu, dr. Maria Negru, dr. Mircea Vicol, dr. Mihai Vladimirov, dr. Nicolai Zubcov, Marin Usat вi Istitute of Geography, ASM: dr. habil. Andrei Ursu, dr. Dumitru Capu є, dr. Olga Cazanteva, dr. Ilie Mangul, dr. Efrem M оtul, dr. Maria Mucilo, dr. Ghenadie S вrodoev, Vasile Cozma, Gavril G вlc г, Aureliu Overcenco Istitute of Genetics, ASM: dr. habil. Pavel Chintea, Ion Cotofan National Institute of Ecology: dr. Dumitru Drumea, dr. Efim Sergentu, dr. Mihai Bolfosu National Institute of Research and Planning „Urban-project”: Gheorghe V оsotchi Moldova State University: dr. habil. Mina Lozan, dr. habil. Petru Obuh, dr. Mihai M вrza, Larisa Bulat Agrarian State University: dr. Iachim Gumeniuc, dr. Svetlana Manole Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development: dr. habil. Valentin Sofroni, dr. Ion Bejenaru, Valeriu Balan, Angela Bularga, Mihai Coca, Andrei Isac, Sergiu Magd вl, Ludmila Munteanu, Ala Rotaru, Nicu Vrednic Ministry of Agriculture and Processing Industry: dr. Valentin Cr вє maru. State Forestry Service: Ion Haralampov, Petru Rotaru Scientific Reservations: „Codrii” – dr. Єtefan Manic, „Plaiul Fagului” – dr. Petru Cuza Centre of Vegetable Genetic Resources: dr. Anatol Ganea Non-governmental Organizations: „Asociatia Zoologilor din Republica Moldova” – dr. Zaharia Neculiseanu, „Biotica” – dr. Tatiana Izverscaia, dr. Alexei Andreev, „Ecospectru” – dr. Vasile Buc гtel, „Mi єcarea Ecologist г din Republica Moldova” – dr. Vasile Scorpan, „Protectia biodiversit гtii” – dr. habil. Gheorghe Postolache, „Societatea de Botanic г din Republica Moldova” – dr. Gheorghe G вnju, dr. Veceaslav Ghendov, dr. Vadim Baclanov Project Secretariate: Ion Palancean, Natalia Brasnuev The maps has been elaborated by the experts of the Institute of Geography, the Istitute of Botany and the Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. The pictures have been presented by the authors and participants in the project elaboration.

PREFACE...... 5

INTRODUCTION...... 7

GLOSSARY...... 8

I. COUNTRY OVERVIEW ...... 9 1.1. Physico-geographical conditions...... 9 1.2. Human settlements...... 9 1.3. Economy ...... 9

II. BIODIVERSITY: CURRENT STATUS AND TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT...... 11 2.1. Biogeographical zones ...... 11 2.2. Lanscape diversity ...... 11 2.3. 2.3. Structural and functional diversity of ecosystems ...... 12 2.3.1. Ecosystems diversity ...... 12 a) Forest ecosystems...... 12 b) Steppe ecosystems ...... 13 c) Meadow ecosystems ...... 13 d) Petrophyte ecosystems ...... 13 e) Aquatic and paludous ecosystems...... 14 f) Agricultural ecosystems...... 14 g) Urban ecosystems...... 14 2.3.2. Correlation between natural and anthropogenic ecosystems...... 14 2.4. Ecosystems and communities of prime importance for biodiversity conversation...... 15 2.5. Species and genetic diversity...... 16 2.5.1. Current status of flora and the trends of its changing ...... 16 a) Relict and endermic species...... 16 b) Endangered and vulnerable species...... 16 c) Iwasive and alien species ...... 18 2.5.2. Current status of fauna and the trends of its changing ...... 19 a) Relict and endemic species...... 19 b) Endangered and vulnerable species...... 19 c) Invasive and alien species...... 20 d) Migratory species...... 21 2.5.3. Microorganisms current status ...... 22

III.ESTIMATION OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES, THEIR USE AND DYNAMICS...... 23 3.1. Forest resources...... 23 3.2. Genetic resources...... 26 3.3. Piscicultural resources...... 27 3.4. Resources of agricultural plants and domestic animals...... 27 3.5. Genetic resources...... 28 3.6. Biotechnologies and genetically modified organisms...... 29 3.7. Recreational utilization of natural biological resources ...... 30

IV. IMPACT ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA ...... 31 4.1. Natural impact...... 31 4.2. Anthropogenic impact on biodiversitz in different social-economic sectors...... 31 4.3. Level of radiation ...... 35 4.4. Strongly endangered ecosystems and species...... 35 V. CURRENT ACTIVITIES ON BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ...... 37 5.1. Policy and national legislation in biodiversity conservation...... 37 5.1.1. Main trends of ecology policy ...... 37 5.1.2. Legal background ...... 37 5.1.3. Institutional system ...... 39 5.2. Development of researches...... 40 5.3. Development of monitoring system of biodiversity...... 41 5.4. Informational management on biodiversity...... 42 5.5. Programmes for landscape, habitat and species conservation ...... 42 5.5.1. Development of the system of natural protected areas...... 42 5.5.2. National Ecological Network – a concept for natural landscape protection...... 46 5.5.3. “Ex-situ” biodiversity conservation...... 50 5.6. Staff training in the field of biodiversity conservation ...... 50 5.7. Public awareness on ecology...... 50 5.8. Financial capacity ...... 51

VI.BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY CONSERVATION STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN ...... 53 6.1. Biological Diversity Conservation National Srategy – goals, principles and objectives...... 54 6.2. Biological Diversity Conservation Action Plan...... 54 6.2.1. Main activities for biodiversity conservation ...... 54 a) Improvement of the legislative and institutional base...... 54 b) “In-situ” protection of species ...... 55 c) Protection of natural significant habitats...... 55 d) “Ex-situ” protection of species...... 55 e) Protection and restoration of migration routes ...... 55 f) National Ecological Network creation...... 56 g) Development of scientific researches...... 56 h) Improvement of the informational and monitoring systems ...... 56 i) Improvement of the educational and training system...... 56 6.2.2. Responsibilities for BDCSAP implementation...... 57 6.3. Financial sources fro BDCSAP implementation...... 57

VII. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ...... 59

VIII. MONITORING BDCNS IMPLEMENTATION ...... 60 Bibliography ...... 66 List of abbreviations ………………………………………………………………………………… PREFACE Biodiversity is one of the most important natural resources of the Republic of Moldova. For centuries the inhabitants between the Prut and Nistru rivers have lived in harmony with nature having a life style inherited from pre-Christian times, when people believed in deities. The elements of this attitude to nature, full of love and respect, can be found in elegiac songs typical of Romanian lyrical folk poetry and music “doina” – unique collections, of historical value, which constitute the nation’s way of thinking and perception of nature. The richness of Moldova’s nature is reflected in them: fertile soil, rivers and springs, forests and meadows, birds and animals – all being perceived as sacred. Nowadays nature protection is a much more complex domain. Economic and Social development has determined people’s activities, thus leaving a considerable stamp on landscapes. This, unfortunately, led to the destruction and vulnerability of many species and biotopes. Biological diversity protection is a national priority of prime importance for environment protection. The biodiversity conservation measures are consecutively undertaken by the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development, institutions specialized in environment protection, local public administration, non-governmental organizations as well as other interested groups. This National Report on Biodiversity Conservation of the Republic of Moldova, elaborated by the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development in the framework of the project “Elaboration of the Strategy and Action Plan on Biological Diversity Conservation in the Republic of Moldova”, with the financial support of the World Bank, will be submitted to the Secretariate of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Report has been elaborated by professionals in the field of environment protection, conservation and rational utilization of biological diversity, contains information on the situation, trends and ways of improving biodiversity in the Republic of Moldova. The first National Report on Biological Diversity is an important element of activity, which is necessary to our country for the development of environment protection policy in the future. The next important step is the elaboration of the biological diversity conservation strategy. I would like to express my profound gratitude to all who participated in the elaboration of this document and I hope they will continue their activity in environment policy making in the future, which will be a serious token of success in biodiversity conservation.

INTRODUCTION The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development which took place in Rio de Janeiro, 1992. It is the first legislative document, which recognizes that biodiversity has the status of general resources, like atmosphere, water and soil. The goal of this Convention is to prevent the global biological diversity degradation. The Convention has three major objectives: • Conservation of biological diversity; • Sustainable use of its components, i. e. forms of use that do not pose a long-term threat to biological diversity; • Sharing the benefits arising from the utilisation of biological resources in an equitable manner. Some specialists consider, that the total number of plant and animal species and microorganisms on the Terra is about 30 mln, but only 2 mln species have been described. Ecosystemic, specific and genetic diversity is of vital importance for Mankind. The history of humanity development has a close connection with the utilisation of biological diversity in order to support the life conditions, at present about 150 species being used for this purpose. The socio-economic benefits of Mankind using the assets offered by the biological diversity are enormous. Biological resources give us food, clothes, raw material for constructions, medicines etc. These goods are offered by forests, steppes, rivers, seas and oceans which are component parts of the natural heritage of humanity. We can also find these goods on the agricultural fields, in gardens and orchards, genetic funds, parks, botanical and zoological gardens. Spontaneous flora and fauna species constituted the basis of many agricultural crops created by the man: grape – vine and fruit trees; bread grains and food cereals, vegetable and fodder crops, technical and oleaginous crops, medicinal and decorative plants and domestic animals. The improvement of crops and domestic animals brings enormous benefits through the use of genes of high productivity and resistance to diseases and pests of the spontaneous species. Biodiversity is an important factor in the maintenance of the biological balance through the diminution of the environment pollution degree, the unfavorable climatic effects, soil protection and purification of aquatic and air resources. The role of biological diversity in environmental protection for the Republic of Moldova is of major importance, because of periodical droughts, scorching heats and frosts, considerable soil-erosion and land-slide processes. Similarly is the role of biological diversity for recreation and human health and for ecological tourism development. The most important benefits of biodiversity for the Republic of Moldova are as follows: 1. Supplying the population with various high quality food. 2. Provision of active ingredients of vegetal and animal origin for the production of medicinal and biologically active substances. 3. Use of genetic resources which are precious materials for increasing the resistance of some varieties of plants and animals to diseases and adverse abiotic factors (e. g. frost, drought, intense heat, salinization etc.). 4. Contribution to the regeneration of the component parts of the environment, such as soil, water and air. 5. Utilization of natural ecosystems as recreational zones for the population. 6. Ensuring ecosystem stability due to the capacity of plant and animal populations to adapt to changeable environmental conditions. The development of our society depends on the diversity of biological resources and this dependence will probably increase due to the crisis of natural resources. The structures and functions of ecological systems, thanks to their efficacy, will serve as models for developing agrophytocenoses. The strategies of spontaneous species survival and the mechanisms of their adaptation to noxious factors, the models of population and individual interactions can be considered as sources of precious ideas for elaborating advanced technologies. The Republic of Moldova has the obligation to elaborate and to implement approprite activities, which will guarantee the realization of the Convention provisions at the national and international levels. The First National Report on Biological Diversity in the Republic of Moldova is elaborated by a group of scientists and experts under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development in accordance with Article 26 of the Convention, which obliges the Parties to submit reports concerning the implementation of the Convention. The present Report is to inform the administration bodies and the wide public on biodiversity state in the Republic of Moldova, to use the natural biological resources and the measures undertaken for their conservation in accordance with the Convention provisions, so as to set forth the strategic directions and priority activities in this domain. The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development takes upon itself the complete responsibility for the elaboration of the first National Report, which also includes the contribution of other governmental sectors, responsible for the Convention implementation. In accordance with decision 11/17 of the leading body of the Convention Parties and Article 6 of the Convention, the Parties are obliged to elaborate their own Strategies and National Action Plans as well as to integrate the requirements of biodiversity conservation into the plans, programmes, a sectoral and cross- sectoral policies. It is necessary to mention that the pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy was elaborated (Sofia, 1995), which stipulates common activities in this field at the regional and European level. Sharing the anxiety of many countries regarding the global threat on biological diversity and the responsibility for its conservation within the national boundaries, the Republic of Moldova ratified the Convention on Biodiversity in 1995. In conformity with this Convention (Art. 6), the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biological Diversity conservation and sustainable use were elaborated in 1999–2000 in the Republic of Moldova and will be submitted to the Government. These documents provide for the short-term and long-term implementation of priority measures and activities.

GLOSSARY Biocenosis – totality of plant, animal and microorganisms populations, which people a certain biotope. Biodiversity – diversity of living organisms, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as well as ecological complexes (biotopes) of which they are a component part; it also includes ethno- cultural diversity. Biogeography – study of geographical distribution of organisms and life єpreading on the Earth. Biota – totality of the historically formed flora, fauna and microorganisms that populate a certain territory. Biotope – a relatively homogeneous plot corresponding to separate parts of biocenosis or ecosystem, being a place of habitat of this or that species of animals and plants. A biotope with a biocenosis forms an ecosystem. Community – a group of populations of various species at a given place and time. “Ex-situ” conservation – conservation of biodiversity components outside the boundaries of their natural habitats. “In-situ” conservation – conservation of ecosystems and biotopes, maintenance and restoration of species and their populations in their natural environment, while the cultivated and domestic species – in conditions they developed their distinctive features. Genetic diversity – diversity of genes (characters) which different organisms carry. Ecosystem – dynamic complex of communities of plants, animals and microorganisms and their abiotic surroundings, integrated in an entity by reciprocal relations. Habitat – space, living place used by an organism where it coexists with other organisms and is influenced by landscape components and climate. Landscape – homogeneous territory by its origin and evolution, with the same type of geological relief basis, with a uniform combination of hydrothermic conditions, of soils and biocenoses. Biological monitoring – system of supervision, evaluation and prognostication of the dynamics of species populations of plants and animals. Population – group of individuals of one species with common genofund. Landscape region – landscape totality, of similar age and origin, with common relief characteristics, superficial deposits, hydrographic network, climate and biocenosis genesis. Species – fundamental structural unit in the system of living organisms totality of populations that interbreed and produce fertile offspring, occupies a defined region and have common morphophysiological features and common relations with biotic and abiotic environment factors. Natural zone – territory specified by common thermic conditions, humidity, landscape biological components (vegetation, soil, water) and exogenous geomorphological processes.

1.1. Physico-geographical conditions The Republic of Moldova is situated in the South-East of Europe in the latitude of 48o and 45o N and longitude of 26o and 30o E, on the surface of 33800 square km. Moldova has direct access to the Lower Danube and Black Sea and it borders on Romania in the West and the Ukraine in the North, East and South. The territory of the republic, having, on the whole, a hilly character, slightly inclined from the North-West to the South-East, gradually descends from 400 to 150 m altitude. There is a wide range of soils in Moldova, predominant being the chernozems (they occupy 75% of the total area). 3260 rivers and rivulets with a total length of above 16000 km build up the hydrographical network of the republic. The main rivers are the Danube, the Nistru; the Prut, Raut, B вc and Botna rivers are placed in the Black Sea Basin. There are also 3532 lakes and accumulation basins with the total surface of 333 square km and accumulation volume of 18 square km on the republic territory. The Republic of Moldova has a temperate-continental climate. The average January temperature is -3,5oC and +21,4oC in July. The warm period lasts about 193 days. At present the estimated population of the Republic of Moldova is 4.293 mln people, out of which 45% - urban population and 55% - rural. The population density is 127 persons per square km. The landslide processes afflict about 18% of the total area of the Republic of Moldova, but high floods threaten the destruction of 20-30 thousand dwellings. Natural calamities are an increasing danger not only for the safety of some local communities but for the sustainable development of the whole country. 1.2. Human settlements Human influence upon nature became a sugnificant factor approximately 5000-7000 years ago. Dacians, the ancestors of our people, created a centralized state in the fifth century B.C. At the beginning their activity was characterized tu an extensive use of natural resources, then by domestication of animals and agricultural crop cultivation. Forests and hay fields represented the main ecosystems. It should be mentioned that during many centuries aurochs, ure ox and wild horse disappeared. At the same time various species of animals (bovine, sheep, goat and birds), some species of plants (maize, potato and tomato) were introduced and widely spread on these lands. The social-economic development of the Republic of Moldova is based upon the intense use of natural resources, including biological ones. The diversity of natural conditions in the republic contributed to a large diversity of animals and plants. At present the territorial administrative organisation is represented by 10 districts, one autonomous territorial unity (Gagauzia), two territorial units, 61 cities and 925 villages.

1.3. Economy The Republic of Moldova is in a transition period to market economy, characterized by profound reforms and a sudden waning of economic activities in all the sectors of national economy. From 1991 the total Gross Domestic Output is permanently decreasing (Fig. 1.1). In 1998, the GDO constituted 8804 mln. lei (2410 lei per capita). The average cash income per capita constituted 170 lei per month, however the consnmption basket was 473 lei per month. The economic decline of the country aggravated even more in 1999. The volume of industrial and agricultural output decreases from year to year too (Fig. 1.2). The decline of economic activities occures because of inner and outer factors such as: the fission of economic ties from the past; the disturbance of the economic system of the republic; low efficiency of the economic mechanisms in the transition period; the armed conflict of 1992 unleashed by the separatist forces, the territorial division of the Republic of Moldova.

BIODIVERSITY: CURRENT STATUS AND TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT

2.1. Biogeographical Zones The natural biological diversity of the Republic of Moldova is conditioned by its geographical position. The territory of the republic is situated at the crossing point of three biogeographical zones: Central-European, represented by the central plateau of Codrii (54,13% or 18,3 thousand square km of the republic); Euroasiatic - represented by the forest steppe and steppe regions (30,28% or 10,23 thousand square km); Mediterranean - to which xerophytic forest steppe fragments in the South part of the republic belong (15,59% or 5,27 thousand square km). From the faumistic point of view the territory of the Republic of Moldova borders on the Balkan region and forms the transition zone between the faunistic elements of the Asian continental steppe and the European forest steppe.

2.2. Landscape diversity The territory of the Republic of Moldova is situated within two natural zones: forest steppe and steppe, which include 5 landscape regions (fig. 2.1). a) Forest steppe zone It occupies the north and central parts of the Republic of Moldova and represents a hilly plain with an obvious alternation of plains and plateaus. The floristic diversity of this zone is represented by a rich vegetation of forest flora, hay-fields and steppe. Soils are characterized by regular and leached chernozems, as well as by dark-chestnut and brown soils, formed in the oak and beech woods and on the hay fields covered by a compact grassy cover. Pursuant to the physico-geographical conditions three landscape regions can be distinguished within the forest steppe zone: 1. The region of elevations and the forest steppe plateau in the North of Moldova. 2. The region of hay-fields and elevations of B гlюi steppe. 3. The region of Codrii forest elevations. b) Steppe zone It is situated in the South and South-East of the republic and is characterized by a lower biological diversity than that of forest steppe. There can be found both elements of steppe and forest steppe. The natural territorial complexes of the Nistru terraces as well as the hilly complexes of the interstreams play an important role in the landscape structure of this zone. Querqus pubescens, Fraxinus and Prunus cerasus predominate the vegetable timber communities, white the grassy cover is rich in lawns, flooded meadows and Mediterranean communities. Within this zone the regular carbonic and leached chernozems and easily flooded meadow soils are widely spread. In accordance with the natural conditions of the steppe zone two landscape regions have been lighted high: 1. Region of the steppe plain of the lower Nistru terraces. 2. Region of dismembered plains of Bugeac steppe. The total area of the Republic of Moldova includes 75,6% agriculture al lands, of which 64,5% are subjected to intensive development. The natural ecosystems territory does not exeed 20%, it is very fragmented and highly degraded.

2.3. Structural and functional diversity of ecosystems Biodiversity is vast at all levels of living matter organization - genotypes, populations, genomes, biocenoces, ecosystems and landscapes. Most biodiversity taxons are at the extremity of their natural areas, a fact leading to their increased vulnerability to anthropogenic factors. The geobotanic regionalization is represented in fig. 2.2. Cultivated plants biodiversity and that of domestic animals (intraspecific and specific) is especially vast.

2.3.1. Ecosystems diversity The ecosystems in the Republic of Moldova are grouped into tree main groups: natural ecosystems (forest, steppe, meadow, petrophyte and aquatic), semi- anthropogenic ecosystems (botanical and zoological gardens etc.), anthropogenic (agrarian-cereals, fruit-growing, viticulture etc.; urban - urban, localities rural and industrial). a) Forest ecosystems Deciduous forests like those from Central Europe represent the forest ecosystems. They are an important source of biological products and maintain many functions concerning the protection of aquatic and soil resources, recreation and hygiene and aesthetics. The total area of the National Forest Fund (NFF) is 394,4 thousand ha, including 325,4 thousand ha of forest grounds. NFF comprises about 800 forest grounds with a surface from 5 to 1500 ha differently distributed on the territory of the republic. The average percentage of afforeslation is 9,6%, with the average age of 40 years; the average class of productivity is 0,73. The majority of secular forest areas which constitute about 6000 ha (2% of the NFF) are included in reservations. Two types of forests are spread on an insignificant surface in the northern zones: - oak woods with Quercus robur and Cerasus avium; - forests with Fagus sylvatica, Quercus petraea and Quercus robur, Caprinus betulus, Tilia tomentosa, Fraxinus excelsior and others, characterize the central zone; - forest communities with Quercus pubescens and guercus robur are spread in the southern part of the Republic of Moldova. The riverside coppices of Populus alba, Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and various species of Salix can be found in the river meadows of the Nistru and Prut rivers. Moldova's forest flora covers 859 species and is characterized by a high weight of species introduced from other floristic regions, thus occupying 34,1% of the total afforested surface. This fact shows the low vital potential of the forest ecosystems. Fauna includes 172 terrestrial vertebrate species (68,0% of the total number) and about 9 thousand insects species, most of which are on the decline. The phenomenon of forest degradation is also confirmed by the considerable number of vulnerable and endangered species. b) Steppe ecosystems Steppe ecosystems occupy the west extremity of the Euro-asian steppe zone and have undergone great changes, their vegetation being very much destroyed and broken up. The areas of these ecosystems decreased by about 70% in the last 40 years and only some steppe fragments survived. Nowadays grassy steppe formations occupy 65 thousand ha (about 1,92% of the total area of the country) and they preserved themselves in the shape of clusters in the northern zones (Balti steppe) and in the southern ones (Bugeac steppe). Steppe flora includes more than 600 species. An important role have Poaceae with a xerophytic character, Festuca Valesiaca and Stipa species. Steppe fauna consists of 109 vertebrate animal species. The most widely spread are: mammals - Lepus europaeus, Cricetus cricetus, Crocidura suaveolens and others; birds - Coturnix coturnix, Perdix perdix, Alauda arvensis and others; reptiles - Vipera ursini et al. c) Meadow ecosystems Within the past 40 years the natural meadow ecosystems have been destroyed on a surface of about 200 thousand ha. At present they only occupy about 101 thousand ha (3% of the total area of the republic). The biodiversity of the meadow ecosystems includes: plants - about 650 species; vertebrate animals - 88 species. The great part of meadow ecosystems that remained on fragmented territories are strongly degraded and are often occupied by secondary biocenoses with ruderal and halophytic plants. d) Petrophyte ecosystems The petrophyte ecosystems are uniquie relief forms (lime stone), they emerge in the northern part of the republic and occupy insignificant areas (from Lipcani to Braniste) - 23 thousand ha (0,68%). Mosses and lichens, steppe vegetation, forests (altogether 252 species) and various groups of terrestrial vertebrate animals (38 species) represent the biodiversity of these ecosystems. Petrophyte forests took shape on the slopes of the Nistru, Raut, Ichel, Vilia, Draghiste and Racovat rivers and on some open spaces, sectors of steppe vegetation appeared. Cavernous landscape structures (underground cavities) are represented by caves, grottoes and drifts. Meadow and forest ecosystems There are caves of significant length on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, but such as karst cave "Emil Racovita" is considered to be an important natural monument. The living organisms in the cavernous complexes are not widely spread, the main representatives being Chiroptera mushrooms and invertebrates. e) Aquatic and paludous ecosystems The aquatic and paludous ecosystems (rivers, lakes and ponds surfaces) occupy 94,6 thousand ha (2,8% of the total area of the republic) are distributed differently and are characterized by a vast variety of ecological, physico-geographical, hydrochemical and hydrobiological peculiarities. The hydrographic network is made up of two rivers (the Danube and Nistru) and 3260 rivers and rivulets (the most important are - the Prut, Raut, B вc and Botna), the total length being more than 16 thousand km. The hydrographic network represents one of the basic component parts of the republic landscapes, which under the anthropogenic influence modified a lot during centuries. The majority of rivulets, which constitute about 70% of the hydrographic network, have been deteriorated, destroyed or sewered. Consequently, the density of water streams network has reduced more than two-fold, and at present it is about 0,12 km/km2. Channels, dams and breakwaters have been built in the streams of large rivers. There are 3532 lakes and artificial basins, with a total surface of 333 square km and the volume of water accumulation of about 1,8 square km. The biodiversity is vast and includes: 160 flora species, 125 fauna species (vertebrates). The hydrofauna of the rivers and lakes numbers about 2135 species and subspecies of animals from about 55 taxa of various systematic categories: protozoa - 633 species; Rotifers - 485 species; insects - 336 species; crustaceans - 318 species. f) Agricultural ecosystems Agricultural ecosystems occupy about 75,6% of the total area of the republic. The following plants prevail in the agrophytocenoces: cereals, fruit-growing, viticultural, technical cultures, fooder crops, vegetables etc. The cultivated biodiversity in the agricultural ecosystems constitutes about 94 plant species, which include 553 sorts, hybrids and forms. Among mammals rodents prevail in agrophytocenosis. The tree birds nestle in different types of orehards. Skylark (Alauda), tufted lark (Galerida cristata), quail (Coturnix coturnix), bunting (Emberiza), white wagtaiel (Motocilla) and others can be found in open spaces. The spontaneous fauna of agricultural ecosystems constitute about 109 species. g) Urban ecosystems Urban ecosystems have a great importance for environment protection and biodiversity conservation. It is a valuable element for creating some ambience between the blocks of flats and the environment. The data on green spaces in the principal municipalities of the republic are presented in table 2.1.

2.3.2. Correlation between natural and anthropogenic ecosystems At present the areas of natural and anthropogenically modified ecosystems constitute respectively, 18% and 82% of the territory of the republic. It is known that the loss of 20% of the total species brings about the destruction of the ecological balance, while the preservation of 10% of the natural ecosystems territory allows the maintenance of 50% of the total species. The optimum ecological relation of natural and anthropogenically modified ecosystems is not strictly determined.

Table 2.1. Distribution of green spaces in the main municipalities of the Republic of Moldova Surface of Surface of green Percentage green spaces Municipal- spaces, of (m2) per ity thousand afforestation capita ha

15 Chisinau 1,1 3,3

15 Tiraspol 0,3 3,3

26 Balti 0,4 5,9

2.4. Ecosystems and communities of prime importance for biodiversity conservation The basic types of natural complexes, that need protection, are the following: a) Landscapes • Forest steppe landscapes, represented by natural territorial complexes of the pliocene superior Nistru terraces. • Forest landscapes of plateaus of mountains chains type, represented by the highest peaks and slopes of Codrii elevation. • Steppe plains landscapes - the interfluvial surfaces of the Ichel, B вc and Botna rivers and the lower Nistru sector. • Tigheci Plateau Landscapes b) Ecosystems • forest; • steppe; • meadow; • aquatic and paludous. Ecosystems of major priority are considered those which are less anthropogenically modified and reflect the natural-historical character as well as the structure of the country's biological diversity. The existing scientific reservations "Codrii", "Plaiul Fagului", "Padurea Domneasca", "Prutul de Jos", "Iagorl вc", forestry complex "Orhei" and landscape reservations "Codrii Tigheciului", "Rudi-Arionesti", "Trebujeni", "Padurea Capriana", "Padurea H вrbovat" etc. are the most significant areas of biological diversity from the Republic of Moldova. To protect the vegetal and animal biodiversity, special attention should be paid to the natural lakes (Beleu, Manta), the swamps and meadows of the Nistru and Danube rivers, the Prut, Raut and Ialpug which are characterized by a unique and varied fauna, but are insufficiently protected by the state. c) Communities The zone vegetal formations of the Republic of Moldova are essentially represented by forest and steppe communities. The significant natural forestry vegetation is represented by communities which constitute four vegetal formations: Fageta sylvaticae, Querceta pubescentis, Querceta petraeae and Querceta roboris. The importance and significance of the typical forest vegetation is supplemented by the existence of unique petrophyte forests (edificators: Quercus robur, Q. Petraea) with a number of endemic associations (Genisto tetragonae - Seselietum peucedanifoli, Astragalo pseudoglauci Koelerietum). The republic steppe vegetation is differently distributed. There are registered associations on the whole territory of the country which belong to 11 steppe formations. The main are as follows: Stipeta capillatae; Festuceta valesiaceae; Botriochloeta ischaemi; Poeta angustifoliae and Artemisieta austriaceae. The petrophyte steppe communities, from the north of the republic, with various rare species both of regional and European importance are especially valuable from the point of view of biodiversity representativeness (Gymnocarpuim robertianum, Paronychia cephalotes, Schivereckia podolica and others). Pursuant to actual conditions of anthropogenic modification of nature, of special importance are not only the existing natural ecosystems, but the anthropologically- modified territories as well, which possess a rich floristic and faunistic diversity. At present about 25% of species included in the "Red Book" can be found in anthropogenically modified habitats. The anthropologically-modified territories of major importance for fauna and flora species conservation are the following: • lakes and artificial basins (Costesti - St вnca, Dubasari, Cuciurgan) which after their fauna composition (especially birds) are analogical to natural lakes; • swampy places and river meadows; • various and unique arboreta of artificial origin (parks, dendrological parks, protection strips), which serve as valuable habitats of fauna original and rich complexes; • agroecological zones with a rich biotic complex (multiannual plantations and mixed cultures, sectors with a high alternation of agricultural plantations and natural vegetation, oases of spontaneous vegetation, animal migration corridors and plants dispersity etc.).

2.5. Species and genetic diversity The geographical position of the Republic of Moldova conditioned the origin and distribution of biodiversity at specific, coenotic, ecosystem and landscape levels. 2.5.1. Current status of flora and the trends of its changing The plant kingdom of the Republic of Moldova is very rich and includes about 5513 plant species (higher plants - 1989 species, inclusively vascular plants - 1832 (pteridophyte - 25, gymnosperms - 1, angiosperms - 1806), bryophyta-(mosses) - 157 species, inferior plants - 3524 species, inclusively lichenophyte (lichens) - 124, algae - 3400 species) and 1200 species of mycophyte (fungi). Asteraceae, Poaceae and Cyperaceae and the richest families of higher plants. There are 139 species of trees and shrubs: liana -3, shrubs - 81, trees - 45 species (tab. 2.2). The changes concerning flora status in the Republic of Moldova have the tendency of increasing the number of vascular plant species which are on the way to disappear (tab. 2.3). The other groups of plants (mosses, lichens, algae) and fungi are insufficiently investigated in view of their endanger and vulnerability.

Table 2.2. Summary of plant groups and fungi, 1999

N umber of N umber of estimated species G roup estimated species in the Republic at the global level of M oldova

I. Plants > 321000 5513

Vascular plants > 250000 1832

Mosses > 14000 157

Lichens > 17000 124

Algae > 40000 3400

II. Fungi > 70000 > 1200 Table 2.3. Comparative analysis of plant species

1987 1999

Taxa Number of Number of endangered Number of Number of endangered species and vulnerable species species and vulnerable species

Vascular plants 1752 186 1832 224

Mosses 154 10 157 10

Lichens 70 16 124 18

a) Relict and endemic species The majority of the species from the Republic of Moldova flora are relict tertiary species (genera species - Quercus, Fagus, Carpinus, Swida, Berberis, Trapa, Typha, Phragmites, Nymphaea, Nyphaperus) and quaternary (Asteraceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae etc. families). The following species belong to the relict plant category: Lunaria rediviva, Coronilla elegans, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Euonymus nana and others. There are no endemic plants in the flora of the republic, however it is evident that some groups of plants (bryophita, lichens, algae) and fungi are insufficiently studied for making such an affirmation. The organisms may be present in the specific biotopes of the country. Some very rare species represent sub-endemic elements: Genista tetragona, Centaurea thirkei, C. angelescui, Euonymus nana. Some species are at the boundary of natural spreading area: Fagus, Sylvatica, Quercus pubescens, Caprinus orientalis, Paeonia peregrina, etc. b) Endangered and vulnerable species The problem of species diversity reduction is at the global level. At present the status of many populations of vulnerable and endangered plant species is lamentable. Many species of plants, that grow on the territory of the Republic of Moldova are becoming more endangered and should be protected by state (fig. 2.3). There are also irreversible erosion and/or degradation phenomena of genetic variety at the species and population levels, that lead to the complete disappearance of some taxa from the habitat. The share of endangered biota is rather high (fig. 2.3). 26 species of plants were introduced in the first edition of the "Red Book" (1978), the second edition (2000) includes 117 plant species and 9 species of fungi. It reflects the process of degradation of the living conditions of vegetation in the Republic of Moldova (tab. 2.4). Of the total number of endangered and vulnerable plants 46 species are specific to forest ecosystems, 31 species - to steppe ecosystems, 18 species - to meadow ecosystems, 18 species - to petrophyte ecosystems and 4 species - to aquatic ecosystems. Trapa natans and Cypripedium calceolus L. are included in the European Red Book.

Table 2.4. Number of plant species and fungi, introduced in the "Red Book" (2nd edition), 2000

Categories according to IUCN* classification

Group CR E V Total

I. Plants

Angiospermae 27 29 25 81

Gymnospermae 0 0 1 1

Pteridophytae 2 5 2 9

Bryophyta 05 5 10

Lichens 37 6 16

II. Fungi 0 2 7 9

Total 32 48 46 126

*Note: CR (critically endangered) - taxa that are in great danger of disappearance from the local flora; EN - taxa in danger of extinction, but not critically endangered and whose survival is unlikely if the casual factors continue operating; VU (vulnerable) - taxa, believed likely to move into the EN category in the nearest future, if the casual factors continue operating. 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Number of species 269 Floristic Faunistic 269 50 15 215 65 33 1962 1975 1998 years

c) Invasive and alien species The presence of invasive plants in the natural ecosystems shows the tendency of synanthropization of the Republic of Moldova flora. The intensive anthropic activity challenged the invasion of anthropophyle (synanthropic) species in degraded agrarian and natural ecosystems that hampers the processes of natural development and restoration of natural biocenoses. Synanthropic flora is made up of 3 main groups: ruderal, segetal and adventitious. Their diversity numbers 463 species. Weeds - plants with an agressive character - constitute 114 species. Quarantine species (11 species) especially affect terrestrial, meadow, degraded and agroecosystems. Acer negundo represents a great danger for forest ecosystems. The collections of the institutions from the Republic of Moldova contain about 14000 plant species. There are many economically important introduced plant species: rye, what, maize, potato, bean, tomato, sun-flower, soy bean, tobacco, fir, pine, birch, gladiolus, tulips etc. Some species introduced from other floristic regions (white acacia, coniferae species) occupy vast breeding places.

2.5.2. Current status of fauna and the trends of its changing About 14800 species of animals, including 461 species of vertebrates and nearly 14339 species of invertebrates are recorded on the territory of the Republic of Moldova (tab. 2.5). Resulting from the known species in East Europe, the existence of other 6-8 thousand species can be admitted.

Table 2.5. Summary of animal groups, 1999 Number of estimated Number of estimated Group species in the Republic species at global level of Moldova Mammals 4327 70

Birds 9881 281

Reptiles > 6500 14

Amphibia > 4000 14

Fish > 8500 82

Invertebrates >1220000 14339

The comparative analysis and the abundance dynamics of animal species from the Republic of Moldova made possible the evidence of a dangerous tendency - the increase of endangered species share - which, with time, will accelerate even more, if adequate measures to stop these processes are undertaken ( tab. 2.6 ).

Table 2.6. Comparative analysis of animal groups

1978 1999 Total Total Taxa numb- Number of numb- Number of endangered and er of endangered and er of speci- vulnerable species speci- vulnerable es es species Mammals 67 29 70 46

Birds 243 59 281 89 Reptiles 14 8 14 9 Amphibia 14 1 14 4

Fresh water fish 75 15 82 15

Invertebrate 10000 39 14800 34+9 families, 3 orders a) Relict and endemic species The current components of fauna of the Republic of Moldova includes about 55 species relict ponto-caspian organisms: polychaeta - 2; oligochaeta - 1; hirudinea - 1; shellfish - 4; copepoda - 1; amphipoda - 17; mizidae - 7; cumaceae - 5; izopode - 1; decapode - 1; fish - 15. About 10-% of these species are endemic for the Black Sea basin. In the "Red Book" 7 species of the relict ponto-caspian fauna are included (myses -1, shelfish - 2 and fish - 4 species) as well as 2 fish species endemic for the Black Sea basin (Zingel streber which occurs only in the Prut river, while Zingel zingel can be found in the Nistru and Prut rivers). b) Endangered and vulnerable species 116 animal species are included in the "Red Book" (tab. 2.7).

Table 2.7. Number of animal species included in the "Red Book" (edition), 2000 Categories according to IUCN Group CR EN VU Total Mammals 9 2 3 14 Birds 29 2 8 39 Reptiles 1 7 0 8 Amphibia 1 0 0 1 Cyclostoma- 0 0 1 1 ta Fish 1 5 6 12 Crustaceans 0 1 0 1 Shellfish 1 2 0 3 Insects 17 17 3 37 Total 59 36 21 116

At present the populations and habitats of many fauna species under the danger of disappearance are in a state of permanent degradation. An analogical situation is characteristic of aquatic habitats where the species of trout and loach have been reduced to nothing. The following species from the fauna of the Republic of Moldova are included in the "European Red Book": mammals - Mustela lutreola, Spermophylus citellus, Spermophylus suslicus; birds - Aythya nyroca, Aquila clanga, Falco naumani, Crex crex; reptiles - Vipera ursini; fish - Zingel streber, Hucho hucho, Acipenser guldenstadti; insects - Calosoma sycophanta and Cerambyx cerdo. 2 fish species are mentioned in the documents of Bern Convention: Umbra krameri and Aspro zingel which can be found on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

c) Invasive and alien species The fauna of the Republic of Moldova includes an insignificant number of invasive and alien species. The following are among them: mammals - Cervus nippon, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Dama dama, Ondatra zibethica, Phasianus colchicus, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Mylopharyngodon piceus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Aristichthys nobilis, Ictalurus punctatus and others. The deer acclimation is considered to be unsuccessful on account of the appearance of hybrids between Cervus nippon and Cervus elaphus. Some invasive species accommodated themselves in aquatic basins and spread very quickly, for instance, Dreissena polymorpha. Many species and breeds of domestic animals (horned cattle, pigs, goats, horses and birds), introduced in the Republic of Moldova from other regions, are sources of food products. d) Migratory species A number of bird and mammal species migrate on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. Some birds build nests (138 species), others come to the country to winter (21 species). 57 species migrate across the country during vernal and automnal flights, while 28 species are only on passage. The birds' migration on the territory of the Republic of Moldova takes place both in open spaces and according to East-European migration routes (fig. 2.5). According to the number of birds, which rest and feed in the lower streams of the Nistru and Prut rivers, aquatic and paludous birds occupy the 1st place. These river meadows are the main flying corridors for terrestrial species (predatory birds, Ciconiiformes and Paseriformes). The main migration routes during vernal and automnal flights depend on the location of large water basins in East Europe.

2.5.3. Microorganisms current status The majority of studies and investigations concerning bacteria and viruses were performed at the level of national economy branch. Generalized studies regarding the diversity of these taxonomic group in the Republic of Moldova are not available.

ESTIMATION OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES, THEIR USE AND DYNAMICS

3.1. Resurse forestiere Suprafa\a total= a Fondului Forestier Na\ional (FFN) reprezint= 394,4 mii ha, inclusiv 325,4 mii ha terenuri acoperite cu vegeta\ie forestier=. }mp=durirea teritoriului republicii constituie 9,6%, fiind una din cele mai sc=zute din Europa ( fig. 3.1 ). The percentage of afforestation differs much from zone to zone: the north zone - 7,2%; the central zone - 13,5%; the south zone - 6,7%. NFF's forests are administrated by the national forest bodies (87%), by the public local administration organs and by agricultural units (13%).

Table 3.1. Characteristic of forest fund

Forest fund/forest Volume of timber mass Average Class of Annual recovery Year covered grounds Density age produc-tivity (increase) m3/ha (thousand ha) total, mln. m3/ha m3

1957 207,8/179,0 30 2,7 72 16,61 93 3,2

1985 322,8/271,3 40 2,3 73 33,53 124 3,3

1999 394,4/325,4 40 2,3 73 35,14 108 3,2 The forests age is 40 years (fig. 3.2), density - 0,73 and production category - 2,3. Important indices of forests status are the percentage of afforestation and their structure (3,1). The forests of the Republic of Moldova belong to the first group, having, exclusively, the function of environmental protection and are devided into the following functional categories: • forests for the protection of water, lands and soil against harmful climatic and industrial factors; • forests with recreation functions; • forests of scientific interest and significant genetic fund conservation (fig. 3.3). Oak grove and acacia grove are the most significant forest communities which constitute 80% of the total afforested territory of the republic (fig. 3.4). In 1997 the territory of planted forests constituted 1011 ha, that is about 0,003% of the existing forest surface. The future objectives provide for extending the forest surface up to 550 thousand ha (fig. 3.5). 27-30 timber species from the spontaneous flora of the Republic of Moldova are intensively used for firewood, fruits and berries. About 200 species of medicinal plants are also used, but some of them have become very vulnerable (Astragalus dasyanthus, Digitalis lanata and others). The majority of grassy plant. Species from forests are fodder for wild animals. At present the forests have an average productivity. The total volume of timber mass of the forest fund constitutes 35,14 mln m3 (8,1 m3 per ingabitant). The most productive are the poplar trees (310 m3/ha/year); the least productive being acacia trees (132 m3/ha/year). The main part of collected wood in the country proceeds from regeneration cuttings, ecological conservation and rehabilitation. Legal cuttings were effected on a surface of 14260 ha in 1999, while hygiene cuttings were done on a surface of 976 ha. The volume of annually collected timber mass in the forests of the Republic of Moldova is about 0,37 mln m3, with 87% of the total volume assigned as firewood for the population. The Republic of Moldova does not have important forest resources for timber industry, that is why it imports most of timber resources. The illicit cutting of forests in the Republic of Moldova, although it has stabilized lately, still presents great danger for the protection and conservation of forest resources (fig. 3.7). Flora, especially, that of forests, is an important source of raw material used in medicine nourishment and in other domains (tab. 3.2).

Table 3.2. Volume of accessory forest products (tons) Years Unit 1996 1997 1998 Fruits and berries 2502 3174 2256 Service tree fruits 2000 1900 1312 White underbrush, cornel 400 41 110 Walnuts, hazelnuts 102 1233 834 Hiprose, hawthorne 1289 1144 1399 Medicinal plants, tea production 267 294 440 Honey 124 83 106 Fodder 20410 12197 20074

3.2. Cynegetic resources The wild fauna of the Republic of Moldova is intesively hunted: 10-15 species of terrestrial vertebrates and 25-30 aquatic species. At present the hunting fund of the Republic of Moldova extends on a surface of about 2800 thousand ha. The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development, State Forestry service and the Association of Hunters and Fishermen regulate legal hunting. The current legislation and documents regulate the zones and areas for hunting as well as hunting species, rate etc. The number hunting species is shown in table 3.3. In the last 8-10 years the number of deer decreased about 10 times, of roebuck and wild boar - 5-6 times and the number of hares reduced 2-3 times. The main cause of reducing the hunting number is poaching, fragmentation of natural habitats and disturbance in the reproduction period. At present the cynegetic fund can provide food for 2000 deer, 10000 roebucks, 5000 wild boar, 180 thousand pheasants and the same number of partridges. The share of bird hunting constitutes 3,1% for geese, 20,3% for ducks, 17,8% for moorhens and 17,3% for turtledoves, respectively of their total number (fig. 3.8). Poaching influences very harmfully the birds number that winter on the territory of the Republic of Moldova or migrate across it. The collection of frogs and snails has increased lately. In order to present the degradation of the hunting fund through the decision of the Parlament in 1996-1997 the hunting of artiodactyla was forbidden, but in 1998 this interdiction was extended at the disposition of the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development.

Years Species 1992 1996 1997 1998

Deer 1076 370 385 426 Roebuck 3818 2410 2800 2954 Wild boar 2775 1254 1280 2120 Hare 42360 56760 60000 63000 Fox 12310 12390 12450 12600 Table 3.3. Dynamics of hunting species (units)

3.3. Piscicultural resources The Republic of Moldova has a considerable number of aquatic objects, which occupy approximately 2,8% of the total territory of the country. Their volume is 1,8 km3. The economic crisis in the Republic of Moldova and technogenic impacts had negative repercussions upon fishery, considerably diminishing its production volume. 84 species and subspecies of fish live in the aquatic ecosystems. 74 of these fish species can be found in the Nistru river and 54 species in the Prut. The fish productivity in aquatic basins has declined considerably with years (tab. 3.4). The most important species for fishery these last years are bream, roach, pike perch, crucian, rapacious carp and others. Some alien species - Hypophthalmichthis molitrix and Aristichthys nobilis etc. have an important weight in fishery (fig. 3.9).

Table 3.4. Industrial fishery indices in the basins of the Republic of Moldova

Main fishery Years basins 1980 1985 1990 1995 1996 1998

Dubasari water 56,0 31,4 47,4 14,7 6,6 5,7 reservoir The Nistru river 90,2 98,5 29,3 11,5 12,3 16,0

Costesti-St вnca 10,9 15,4 42,6 4,1 4,5 3,2 reservoir

Cuciurgan lake 94,7 160,3 - 33,2 - 16,0

Manta lake - - 32,1 1,8 1,2 -

3.4. Resources of agricultural plants and domestic animals A wide range of species is used in agriculture, forestry, horticulture and floriculture of the Republic of Moldova (tab. 3.5). For example, 94 species reprezented by 553 sorts and hybrids of crops (cereal, technical, fodder, fruit-growing, vegetable etc.). Most of them (80%) have been introduced from other floristic regions. Local sorts of agricultural plants (grape-vine, apple tree, pear, tree, cherry tree, plum tree, kidney bean, chickpea, horse bean) are cultivated in individual farms. For example, about 350 genotypes of bean were gathered from individual farms. It should be mentioned that during the last 40-50 years many sorts and forms of local cereal and vegetable plants, fruit trees etc. have disappeared. 9 species of domestic animals, which include about 37 breeds have a significant economic importance in the Republic of Moldova.

3.5. Genetic resources At present the genetic resources of cultivated plants are kept in 11 research, scientific and educational institutions (collections, samples of seeds in gene banks). Basic genetic resources of cereals (wheat and barley), vegetables (kidney bean, soya, pea), technical crops (sunflower, sugar beet), fodder crops (beet, lucerne, vetch) are kept in the Research Institute of Cultivated Plants, where important selection works are carried out. Rich genetic resources of sorghum and maize are kept at the Moldova Scientific Research Institute of Maize and Sorghum, which at present extends its activity to the creation of other collections of crops - potato, cabbage, cucumber, tomato, onion, carrot, radish, pepper and others. Significant genetic resources of grape -vine can be found at the National Institute of Vine and Wine. The Research Institute of Selection and Technologies of Fruit-Tree Growing holds a rich collection of fruit-growing trees - apple, pear, quince, peach, plum,

Table 3.5. Diversity of crops in the agrarian sector, 1999 Number of Number of Unit species sorts Cereals 7 60

Technical crops 3 23

Fodder crops 7 40

Oleaginous crops 10 25

Vegetables 15 94

Fruits 11 122

Viticultural crops 1 53

cherry, apricot, walnut trees and others. There is an important collection of vegetables at the Agriculture Research Institute. A valuable and rich genetic fund of arboreal, flowery, medicinal, fodder, decorative, fruit growing, berries and the National Herbarium is preserved at the Botanical Garden (Institute) of the Academy of Sciences. The genetic fund of aromatic plants is preserved at the Research Station of Aromatic Plants and Etherial Oils. Some collections of cereals and vegetables are stored at the Agrarian State University and Moldova Research Institute of Tobacco maintains genetic sources of Nicotiana varieties. Within the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova, a Centre of Vegetable Genetic Resources was created. Its main tasks are to establish the National Bank of germoplasma for the conservation of the genetic fund of cultivated plants and their forebears. The Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences holds the National Collection of microorganisms. The genetic collections of cultivated plantsand from the spontaneous flora include about 14 thousand species (70 thousand sorts, hybrids, lines and forms). The evaluation and ex-situ conservation of domestic animals are carried aut by 2 institutions: the Institute of Physiology and Curative Diseases of the Academy of Sciences and the National Institute of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine. The main methods used are cryoconservation of male gametes of cattle, pigs, birds and fish and selection and preservation of new breeds of animals for the livestock sector. It is necessary to mention the lack of a National Centre of Genetic Resources and an Informational Bank of unified data of genetic resources.

Main institutions holding genetic collections of the Republic of Moldova. 1. The Botanical Garden (Institute) of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova holds a collection of 12400 species, sorts and forms of decorative, medicinal, aromatic, fodder, fruit growing, vegetable species etc. The Herbarium contains about 200 thousand samples of plant species and fungi, which reflect the floristic diversity of the republic. 2. The Research Institute of Maize and Sorghum of “Porumbeni” Association has a collection of 1091 species, 1830 lines (autopollinators) and 1033 genetic sources of maize. 3. The Scientific Research Institute of Cultivated Plants of “Selec юia” Association holds about 65000 sorts and forms of wheat, pea, soya, 123 hybrids of sunflower and 1300 hybrids of sugar beet etc. in its collections. 4. The Scientific Research Institute of Selection and Technologies of Fruit Growing „Codru” preserves the genetic sources of walnut, apricot and quince, sorts of apple, pearch, plum etc. 5. The National Institute of Vine and Wine stores the genetic bank constituted of 2800 sorts and bunch shapes from the whole world. 6. The Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences holds a collection of microorganisms which includes about 500 types of algae, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, actinomyces and microalgae. 7. In 1999 the Centre of Vegetal Genetic Resources was created. Its task is to carry out work on the collection of cultivated plants forms and their forebears.

3.6. Biotechnologies and genetically modified organisms Research in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering has been recently started in the Republic of Moldova. The usage of some biotechnological methods in agriculture and medicine are considered priority activities. In the field of biological methods in agriculture there is a tendency of gradual switching to using biological preparations instead of chemicals and to cryoconservation of gametes of breeding animals. Biotechnological methods are used in pharmaceutics to create some biologically active substances. The permanent activities of ensuring the safe handling and use of biotechnologies and genetic engineering have a great importance. It is necessary to improve the existing ecological legislation with elements regarding the safeguard and application of biological security of the country and the transfer of transgenic organisms in conformity with the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity and of the respective protocols. It is necessary to sign this Convention protocol which provides for the regulation of import and export of the organisms trangenically obtained.

3.7. Recreational utilization of natural biological resources The Republic of Moldova is a promising region for ecological and cultural tourism. The diversity of landscapes and nature monuments, the existence of historical and cultural monuments permit the organisation of various excursions and touristic routes. Nevertheless, the level of ecological tourism is very low in the Republic of Moldova (tenfold decrease of the number of tourists lately). There are few recreative and curative zones appropriate to modern tourism standards. This not only leads to the decrease of the level of ecological culture of the population but also to the loss of important financial resources, which can be used to biodiversity more efficiently.

IMPACT ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

4.1. Natural impact Global changes of environment status. The analysis of temperature changes in the last century showed the rise of the air temperature in different zones of the Republic of Moldova. Nevertheless, there is a natural tendency towards lowering the environment humidity. It is worsening through the anthropogenic impact (drainage of wetlands, sewerage and river meadows destruction). The diminution of environment humidity leads to the degradation of plant and animal populations specific to these habitats. The excessive reduction of natural green covers through the massive extension of agricultural lands represents a ctitical situation in the Republic of Moldova. The consequences of these phenomena are the xerophytization, as well as the impoverishment of the vegetal cover, its tendency being towards a southern ecological aspect (steppe). One of the obvious changes in the ecology of a wide range of species, resulting from the thermic pollution of aquatic basins and warming of the global climate, is the increase of species composition (10-15%) and the number of birds, especially water-fowl in the winter period. However, these phenomena are not sufficiently studied in the Republic of Moldova. Introduction, invasion (intervention) hybridization. An important natural threat to plant and animal diversity is the influence of competitive relations between the introduced species on the one hand and the species of spontaneous flora and fauna with low adaptability on the other hand. Examples of these relations of mutual exclusion between flora and fauna species are as follows: • substitution through competition of autochthounous forest species by Acer negundo; • gradual exclusion of Cervus elaphus by Cervus nippon and hybrid population; • exclusion through competition of Mustela lutreola by Mustela vison and Mustela putorius.

4.2. Anthropogenic impact on biodiversity in various social- economic sectors a) General data. The most important changes of flora and fauna status happened and are still taking place in the Republic of Moldova as a result of direct impact (hunting, animal extermination, illicit collection of medicinal plants), as well as indirect impact (destruction or change of natural habitats). The factors noxiously influencing flora and fauna are the following: extensive farming by permanent development of new natural areas; drainage of wetlands and exploitation of improved natural territories; change of small rivers flowing; non-observance of pesticide and fertilizers use technologies; poaching; animal disturbance during the reproductive period. The situation is worsening because of the lack of ecological knowledge and the population irresponsibility, the ineffectiveness of economic and legislative methods which could stimulate the activities of environmental protection. Due to the destruction and fragmentation of landscapes, the consequences of natural calamities intensified; torrential rainfalls and landslide processes led to the destruction of thousands of dwellings and constructions. b) Territorial planning and urbanization. Environment pollution with residues from cities and industrial centres influences the river ecosystems considerably. It brings about excessive eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems with the further deformation of flora and fauna composition. As a result of eutrophication, Cyanophita algae developed, provoking the phenomenon of "water blossom" - a real trouble for rivers and artificial water reservoirs. Another source of reparian ecosystems pollution is surface trickling (while rainfalls and snow thawing) off the urban territories (about 200 thousand tons of pollutind substances), the water penetrating into rivers without being treated and containing a complex of suspended substances, petroleum products and heavy metals. This trickling, according to hydrometeorological service and scientific publications, increases downstream water pollution by 20-40% more than the upstream sectors of the rivers. Waste material lead to serious consequences of the environment in the Republic of Moldova, it accumulates in the quantity of 5,5-6,0 mln tons annually. Uncontrolled stocking of offals, the lack of modern technologies for their neutralization, reutilization, destruction, inhumation etc. and unsatisfactory management contributes to the maintenance of tense ecological situation, population health condition and spontaneous biodiversity. c) Agriculture. Intensive agricultural use of the territory is a factor of major influence on biological diversity of the ecosystems. Agricultural lands occupy about 2560 thousand ha (75,6% of the total area of the country), the plough-land constituting about 70%. The economic activity has considerably changed the territorial structure, the composition and functional particularities of the vegetal cover of the republic territory. Inappropriate agricultural activity has caused the extension of uniform agricultural areas with homogenous agricultural phytocenoses, characterized by a low biological diversity. This situation is especially characteristic of postwar period of agriculture intensification and specialization. The increasing number of crop rotation fields, agricultural lands on the account of ameliorative measures, the use of fertilizers, introduction of land farming technologies have not only changed the landscape structure but also led to the liquidation of natural ecotopes between the agricultural territories. The latter were the only natural formations (oases), which were keeping the biological diversity of ecosystems. As a result of these activities, the natural landscapes were divided into large agricultural land plots, settlements and a few forest and pastures plots. These modifications do not permit the preservation of the ecological equilibrium and biodiversity conservation properly. The intensive exploitation of the ground surface during 30 years is a strong impact on biodiversity. As a result of these activities the surfaces of eroded soils increased being affected by landsliding, salination degraded because of weakly humified, destructured, with a negative balance of humus. All these taken together, have led to the reduction of soil resources fertility and to the degradation of soil biodiversity. In the 60s-70s hydro-amelioration had its negative impact on biological diversity at both specific and ecosystemic level. Hydro-amelioration on draining over 60 thousand ha of wetlands, marshes, other low productive lands from the valleys of the Prut, Nistru, Raut, Ialpug rivers, the small rivers flowing change led to the complete destruction of plants associations and habitats for aquatic and paludous animals. In the past these territories were habitats for such species as: otter, mink, ermine, egret, swan, duck and others. Because of the destruction of these habitats, the number of many species has sharpl reduced while some of them have become rare and have been included in the "Red Book". Intensive irrigation and the use of the water with high content of salt, the application of inadequate technologies for the development of drained soils led to the salinization and the destruction of their composition, the sharp reduction of humus contents in the soil which finally diminished their fertility. At the same time the impoverishment of biocenoses occured. One of the causes of these extremely negative consequences was the ignorance of the requirements of scientific recommendations for preserving the marshes and wetlands zones as major elements for ecological stability in the region, the creation of natural vegetative oases within the already ameliorated territories as elements of biodiversity support. Intense use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers in the 70s-80s led to fauna poisoning, but the use of inadequate farming machinery, the non-observance of technological requirements, a large number of animals (10-15 times more than the number of hunted animals) is exterminated. Thus, if the manual hay mowing used to kill about 15% of wild animals, then the mechanized mowing killed over 40%. This, especially, refers to young animals and birds (roebuck, hare, deer, wild boar, quail). There are territories in the Republic of Moldova, that show a relative optimal territorial combination of forestry and meadow lands and of aquatic and agricultural ecosystems. A good example of the above mentioned would be some agricultural plots of the central zone of the Republic of Moldova, where the forest ecosystem reaches 13,5%. The forest ecosystem in combination with meadow plots allows to preserve the biological diversity at species and ecosystem level. d) Forestry. A lot of changes have taken place in the forestry fund of the Republic of Moldova during the last two centuries. The main problems of this sector are the following: • the insufficient degree of afforestation; • the permanent reduction of forestry biodiversity; • the low bioproductive and ecoprotective potential of forests. The increase of the weight of forestry plantations caused the reduction of the genetic fund of autochtonous species from the forestry formations. The disturbance of the natural conditions inevitably leads to the simplification of forestry communities structure and composition and to the predomination of single-crop system of local decidous tree species. Another problem is the substantial increase of acacia in the forest fund. At present it has become the second forestry formation with regard to its spatial importance. 80% of Quercus species which constitute 49,2 % of the forestry fund are grown from copses. As a result, these species are less vital, degraded and do no generate fruits. This also caused the reduction of their exploitation period, in some cases, up to 70-80 years. These forestry communities are often attacked by diseases and pests. Moreover, the use of forests as pastures and hay fields is an essential factor, which changes the quantitative and qualitative components of biodiversity, disbalancing the renewal process of several species. The high recreational load of the forests, exceeding the optimum limit of 10 persons per/ha causes their degradation, lack of coenotic composition and internal structure and synanthropization of flora composition. An indisputable example of negative consequences provoked by the failure to observe the rules of forest use is the intensive diminution of biological and genetic diversity, the decline of the development of some vulnerable and rare species and the increase of the number of species which have disappeared and endangered in the last 15-20 years. After the analysis of forestry data, the Republic of Moldova, together with Belaruss, Denmark, Germany, Cechia and other countries, has been included in the group of countries with severely affected forests (over 20% for the 2nd-4th classes). e) Hunting and fishery. At present, hunting, poaching and animal disturbance in the period of reproduction have a severe impact on many faunistic species of economic importance for Moldova. It is these causes that reduce the number of deer and wild boar. They led to a considerable reduction or even local disappearance of some precious species such as otter, deer, stag, elk and others. It is obvious that excessive hunting of vulnerable and endangered species leads to serious degradation of populations and to their disappearance. Due to selective fishing of fish species and the destruction of their places of reproduction brought to the specific and age structure change of populations. A serious impact on ichthyocenoses has the introduction of new species in water besins. This fact causes a drastic reduction of aboriginal species. The introduction of new species of fish in the aquatic basins of the republic has intensified in the last 30-40 years. The introduction of such new species of fish as Ctenopharingodon idella, Mylopharingodon piceus, Acipenser baeri, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Aristichthys nobilis and others has originally increased the productivity of water basins, though causing a 6-7 fold decrease of productivity later. f) Water management. The use of land and population increase have contributed to an essential change of the hydrographic network. Ample works have been carried out in the Republic of Moldova in regard to river sewerage, reservoirs creation, drainage of river meadows etc., which led to the increase of water turbidity, hydrobiontic habitat destruction, sudden diminution of specific diversity, in many cases, ichthyofauna of small rivers being entirely damaged. A series of fish species has disappeared from the aquatic basins of the Republic of Moldova and the abundance of economically valuable fish species has decreased, while the number of insignificant species has considerably increased in the last 50 years. Another major issue is the regulation of the water flow of the Nistru river which in the "80s" after the construction of the dam in Novodnestrovsk (Ukraine). Its consequences are manifested in the establishment of an unsuccessful modality to regulate the downstream water flow (in the majority from deep cold layers) and in the basic change of ecological conditions of ecosystem functioning of the medial sector of the Nistru river and the Dubasari water reservoir on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. A similar negative impact on the aquatic biodiversity of the river Prut has the "Costesti-St вnca" dam. As a result the functional indices of ecosystems and biodiversity (thermic and hydrographic regimes, specific diversity and their abundance) have reduced sharply. It should be mentioned that the reproduction capacity of many thermophyle species, has considerably teoreased, the productivity of some of them having reduced by about 44 times. g) The energetic complex and industry are ample polluters of the environment. Big enterprises such as the Electric thermocentral from Cuciurgan, the metallurgical plant from R вbnita and the Concrete Plant of Rezina, Tractor and Chemical Plants of Chisinau and others constitute the major sources of environmental pollution. In addition, industry contributes significantly to chemical and organic pollution of water basins (salts of heavy metals, petroleum products, phenols, detergents and others). The stationary and movable sources give off over 800 thousand tons of polluting substances in the atmosphere. The environment status is also agvating, because of the transboundary transfer of harmful substances on the territory of the republic due to the mass of air streams from the North-West. The essential negative consequences are brought about by the pollution of the environment with industrial and domestic toxic offals, especially with heavy metals. They accumulate in soil and water, organs and tissues. They are also incorporated in trophic chains and cause disturbances of living organisms functioning, biocenoses, biotopes and ecosystems in general. The thermal pollution of water has a narrower character but causes serious changes of the biological cycle. These effects are more pronounced in the influence zone of warm waters of the Cuciurgan estuary. All these led to a tense ecological situation in a series of counties of the Republic of Moldova, and as a consequence, the abundance and vitality of the populations of some plant species (lichens, bryophytes) and animals (amphibians and aquatic birds) rapidly degraded. h) Transport and road construction. The most congested thoroughfares in the Republic of Moldova are: those leading to the frontier with Romania, the frontier with Ukraine as well as Chisinau-Cahul, Balti-Briceni, Chisinau-Balti-Soroca. Transport and road construction represent a real threat to biodiversity and some species populations in the Republic of Moldova. It is manifested through the disturbance of historically established conditions of natural ecosystem functioning and through physical extermination of animals during their migration. The thoroughfares are a particular threat when they segment natural protected areas (e.g. "Codrii" scientific reservation). i) Military Complex. Until recently different military objects have been placed in the Republic of Moldova. They influenced harmfully the environment. Immense forest sectors have been destroyed in order to construct military bases. The environment pollution increased much due to intensive utilization of airports. At present big deposits of armament are still kept at Russian military bases. They are illegitimately dislocated on the left bank of the Nistru river. The utilization of these territories in economy or environment protection can be effected only after armament removal and the elaboration of respective scientific recommendations. j) Tourism and recreation activity. At present the process of natural, historical and cultural monuments revival and protection is taking place. The Republic of Moldova has a sufficient base for organising ecological tourism-formed by nature monuments, unique sceneries and landscapes. The use of these for touristic purposes will require the solution of such issues as protection of territories, destined to ecological tourism, from the expansion of economic activities and the impact of unorganized tourism. Chaotic streams of people may become a distructive factor of natural complexes. Inappropriate measures and standards of tourism regulation and excessive tourism load in the natural ecosystems negatively influence the status of a series of animals and plants.

4.3. Level of Radiation Immense territories of the European continent were liable to an intense pollution with radionuclides after the accident at Cernob вl Nuclear Power Station (Ukraine). A high level of radiation was registered on the territory of the Republic of Moldova too. Lately the concentration of radioactive substances in food and fodder products, potable water and in many other components of the environment does not exceed the maximum admissible concentration. The natural radioactive fund in the Republic of Moldova is also determined by the emissions of thermal power stations and boiler houses, exhaust cars gases, atmospheric precipitations. It may also be determined by the imported food products, consumer goods, medicinal plants, construction material from the contaminated zones of the neighbour countries. The Republic of Moldova has about 340 enterprises and institutions which work with ionizing radiation sources. There is also a centre, which deposits and keeps under control the radioactive waste. The territory of Moldova is also a transitory for the transportation of nuclear fuel, offals and radioactive sources that represent a potential danger for population health and environment. The neighbour countries with the Republic of Moldova have 8 nuclear power stations placed at a distance of 125 to 450 square kilometers. The eventual nuclear accidents may also affect the territory of the republic. The effect of radiation on the development of living organisms has not been thoroughly studied in the Republic of Moldova. At present we may say that no mutations or deviations in the development or functioning of living organisms have been noticed. The changes in the structure of biocenoses caused by radiation have not been seen either. An actual problem that requires solution is monitoring of radiation quality and intensity indices of the environment in rural and urban settlements.

4.4. Strongly Endangered Ecosystems and Species In the course of 2-3 centuries the key anthropogenic impact on ecosystems and biological diversity were cutting and alteration of forest structure, excessive transformation of various natural landscape elements, swamp and marsh drainage as a result of agricultural activity and urbanization process. The area of forests has reduced to maximum at the beginning of the XXth century. The steppe lands, which in the past occupied 30% of the wholeterritory, have been transformed into agricultural land. The change of the hydrological regime and the pollution of water reservoirs had a negative impact upon plants and animals vitality. The forest, aquatic, paludous, steppe and meadow ecosystems are strongly degraded and require undertaking some urgent measures for restoring their vitality. The above mentioned transformations have reduced the biological diversity and caused the disappearance of a large number of species. Among the critically endangered plant and animal species (except the varietis the number of which is small due to their location at the boundary of a specific spreading area of a species) are those characteristic to steppes and meadows, old forestry massives, aquatic and paludous territories. 18 species of animals have disappeared from the territory of the republic during the last 300 years. Thus, the following species were widely spread in Moldova in the XVIIth century: Bison bonasus, Bos primigenius, Linx linx, Ursus arctos and others. Nowadays, a wide range of fauna varieties is under anthropogenic pressure, in the process of permanent degradation. This is confirmed by the fact that 500 species from the fauna and flora of the Republic of Moldova require state protection. 117 plant species, 9 fungi species and 116 animal species are in the process of disappearance and have been included in the second edition of the "Red Book". The region of central Codrii, the Danube sector, the meadows of the Nistru and Prut rivers as well as Cuciurgan and Beleu lakes are the main habitats of the majority of endangered plant and animal species menaced with disappearance at the national and European level. At the same time these species have significant populations on the territory of the republic.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES ON BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

The proclamation of independence of the Republic of Moldova (1991) led to the elaboration of a new policy, which could regulate the relations within the system "Man- Society-Nature" and environment protection. The main purpose of the environment policy in the Republic of Moldova is to restore the optimal level of biological diversity and landscapes and to elaborate and implement the efficient measures of their conservation, according to national and international requirements. The adhesion of the Republic of Moldova to the international conventions on environment protection requires the effective implementation of the concept of sustainable development, accepted at the International Forum on environmental protection and development problems from Rio de Janeiro (1992).

5.1. Policy and national legislation on Biodiversity Conservation

5.1.1. Main trends ecology policy At present the national policy on environment of the Republic of Moldova centers on the following trends: • to create the legal and institutional framework, suitable to market economy; • to integrate the ecological requirements into all the spheres of national economy and the reformation strategies of the social-economic sector; • to create the ecological security basis of the population; • to improve the ecological management; • to highlight the priority ecological problems and to draw the local and foreign financial resources in order to solve these problems. Conservation and biological diversity conservation constitute the main objectives of the national policy of the Republic of Moldova. The most significant documents on environmental protection are as follows: • Environmental protection concept in the Republic of Moldova (1995); • National Action Programme on Environmental Protection for the period 1995-2025 (1995); • National Action Plan on Environmental Protection for the period of 1996-1999 (1996). It is necessary to mention two previously adopted documents, which are still valid: • Complex long-term programme on environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources of the Republic of Moldova for the period of 1987-2005 (1985). • Territorial Scheme on environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources of the Republic of Moldova for the period of 1991-2010 (1991). The new governmental policy "Strategical orientations of social-economic development of the Republic of Moldova till 2005" was adopted in November 1998. For the first time in term "Sustainable use" is mentioned in this document and the environment problems are treated more profoundly. The main objectives of this document are directed at the improvement of the living conditions through the expansion of forest areas, urban green spaces, the improvement of potable water quality, maintenance and improvement of air quality, soil, to provide the population with ecologically pure food products.

5.1.2. Legal background There is a wide range of laws and regulations on environment, especially, on biodiversity, which is continously completed with new laws and normative acts (tab. 5.1). The improvement of the legislative basis on biodiversity conservation in the Republic of Moldova is performed through: • the elaboration and adoption of laws on environmental protection, protection and sustainable use of vegetal and animal kingdom; • the elaboration and adoption of normative documents for the executive branch of power, concerning the implementation of the main stipulations of the mentioned legislation; • the elaboration of normative documents on state bodies activity in the field of environment protection, measures of biological diversity conservation and integration of biodiversity conservation requirements into sectoral practice. The existing legislation provides for the solution of the environment problems, however the implementation of the legislative provisions face some difficulties, including: • unsatisfactory implementation of the legislation; • presence of contradictions in some paragraphs of the laws; • inconsistency between laws; • ineffective application of penalties. Concomitantly the Republic of Moldova adhered to the main international treaties, which supplement the national legislation (tab. 5.2). At the same time it should be mentioned that the current legislation is far from being perfect. There is a total absence of normative documents on conservation and maintenance of the genetic fund of spontaneous floristic and faunistic species and the regulation of relations concerning biotechnologies and the utilization of genetic modified organisms. There is no legislative and normative documents which could set up the mechanism of spontaneous flora species collection (medicinal plants), as well as some animal species (insects, snails, frogs etc.). The biodiversity conservation requirements are integrated at a low level into the branch legislation, especially, into the economic one. The regulation of the vegetal kingdom use is

Table 5.1. Laws regulating biodiversity conservation:

A. Laws regulating biodiversity: 1. Animal Kingdom Law (1995) 2. Law on Zones and Strips for Rivers and Water Basins Protection (1995) 3. Forest Code (1997) 4. Concept on Hunting Property Development (1997) 5. Law on State Protected Natural Areas (1998)

B. "Horizontal" laws which refer to various environmental aspects, including biodiversity: 6. Environmental Protection Law (1993) 7. Law on Ecological Expertise and Environmental Impact Assessment (1997) 8. Natural Resources Law (1997) 9. Law on Environment Pollution Payment (1998) 10. Law on Green Spaces of Urban and Rural Localities (1999)

C. Laws at ministerial level which deal with biodiversity conservation: 11. Law on Monument Protection (1993) 12. Law on Principles of Urbanistics and Territorial Development (1997)

insufficiently performed compared to that of the animal kingdom. One should also mention the absence of regulations on the National Ecological Metwork (NEN), which constitutes the basic element of the ecological optimization of the territory. There are possibilities to create a NEN as part of the European Ecological Network, taking into consideration the fact that the areas of the forest fund, zones and strips of rivers and lakes protection, state protected natural areas, degraded plots destined to recreative purposes are state property. That is why it is necessary to elaborate a special law, which will stipulate the status of NEN, modify and complete some branch laws, as for instance the Law on Principles of Urbanistics and Territorial Development and Environment Protection Law etc. Though the legislation stipulates the necessity of surveying the animal world, the mechanism of doing this is indefinite. In fact, unexposed remains the legal normative base, which would regulate the management of wetland zones important for fish, aquatic birds etc. The Republic of Moldova undertook important measures on international cooperation in this field (tab. 5.2). The analysis of the legislative basis in this field highlighted the neces

Table 5.2. The Republic of Moldova adhered to the following treaties:

A. Treaties and documents on biodiversity: 1. Convention on Wetland Zones of International Importance, especially, as Aquatic Birds Habitat (Ramsar, 1971) 2. Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 1979) 3. Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992) 4. Pan-European Strategy on Biological and Landscape Diversity

B. "Horizontal" treaties which refer to various environmental aspects, including biodiversity: 5. Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in Transboundary Context (Espoo, 1992) 6. Convention on Access to Information, Justice and Public Participation in Decision, making in environment matters (Aarhus, 1998)

C. Treaties and documents at ministerial level which deal with biodiversity conservation: 7. World Nature Charter (New York, 1980) 8. Action Programme on sustainable development "Agenda XXI" (Rio de Janeiro, 1992) 9. Convention on Protection and Sustainable use of the Danube River (Sofia, 1994) 10. Convention on Desertification Combat (Paris, 1994)

sity to adhere to a wide range of treaties, which could cover the legislative gap. That is why there is the imperative need to reatify the Convention on migratory species and wild animals conservation (Bonn, 1979). The ratification and observance of the above mentioned Conventions will facilitate the conservation and protection of a significant number of fauna species, taking into account that the stream of the Nistru and Prut rivers represent important transcontinental migration ways for waterfowl.

5.1.3. Institutional system The implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity is performed by a series of institutions, governmental and non-governmental organisations. The strategical recommendations stipulated in the National Report are directed at different levels of state administration and at other social-economic sectors. The commitments of the Government of the Republic of Moldova on implementation of the Convention are performed by the following ministries: • The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development - coordinates and controls the implementation of the Convention on on Biodiversity in the Republic of Moldova. It also has the basic role for the elaboration and promotion of the state policy in the field of environment protection, rational utilization of natural resources, national territorial development. The main subdivisions are: the State Ecological Inspectorate, "Hydrometeorological" Service, the National Institute of Ecology and Ecological Angencies; • The Academy of Sciences with the main subdivisions in this field: Botanical Garden (Institute of Botany), Institute of Zoology, Institute of Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, Institute of Geography, the Centre of Vegetal Genetic Resources performs researches in the following branches: botany, zoology, genetics, microbiology, geography, biotechnology etc.; • The Ministry of Science and Education performs research in the field of biological diversity, climate, atmosphere, soil and water etc. • The Ministry of Agriculture and Processing Industry is responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in agriculture, the protection of genetic resources used in these sectors. • The Ministry of Health Care is responsible for environment hygiene. • State Forestry Service manages and maintains the forest and hunting fund. Another administrative chain which has a major influence on biological diversity represents local bodies. The initiatives of Agenda 21 on local activities are the starting point for the implementation of the Convention. The Academy of Sciences and some institutions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Processing Industry make up the scientific support in the field of biological diversity protection. Besides governmental organizations, there are about 40 non-governmental organizations, which act as partners in implementing protection measures of the environment, including those of biodiversity and habitats. A decisive factor in biological diversity conservation is the public attitude. The polls confirm the high level of public awareness, but there is a lot to do in order to stimulate the population to protect the biological diversity. It means the public access to information and justice and public participation in the decision-making process.

5.2. Development of researches The majority of researches on "in situ" and "ex situ" biodiversity have been performed within the framework of fundamental multisectoral researches based on biological, ecological, agricultural, chemical, medicinal and pharmaceutical sciences. Many investigations on the status and biodiversity protection are made by the Academy of Sciences as well as the National Institute of Ecology, Moldova State University, Agrarian State University and others. These are the main research centres of flora, fauna and microorganisms in the Republic of Moldova and the nuclei of different scientific societcs in zoology, botany, ecology, micology, entomology, hidrobiology, genetics and others. The investigations on flora and fauna are made at the level of species (populations, individuals), communities and ecosystems, but the level of their accomplishment is different. Little attention is paid to biodiversity study at the ecosystem level, database development and recording and genetic resources protection. The insects, aquatic invertebrates (especially benthos), protozoa, fungi and other organisms are studied insufficiently. Within the intersectoral technico-scientific programmes "Flora", "Fauna", "Ecology" elaborated in common with some institutions the following trends of research have been developed: • Evaluation of flora and fauna status and their communities. • Elaboration of scientific bases and recommendations on genetic fund protection (animals and plants). • Optimization of technogenic influence on environment. • Economical evaluation of natural resources and their utilization. • Elaboration of technologies and bases for informational framework and management of ecology environment protection. The socio-economic changes during the transition period in the Republic of Moldova have negative consequences on the realization of these programs. The directions and volume of researches have been considerably reduced in the last years because of the drastic budget reduction. The vegetal and faunistic resources are studied by the Institutes of the Academy of Sciences (Zoology, Botanical Garden), Moldova State University and the Agrarian State University. The National Institute of Ecology elaborates annual reports on the status and environment protection in the Republic of Moldova. These reports include information on biodiversity. Annually the experts of the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development and those from the scientific research institutions, State Forestry Service in collaboration with the representatives of public administration elaborate norms, shares for the hunting and fishing season in conformity with the current legislation, the current status of animal populations and scientific recommendations. The first edition of the "Red Book" of the Republic of Moldova appeared in 1976 and the second edition will appear in 2000. The data analysis on ecosystems development presents special interest. Some types of aquatic ecosystems have been studied more profoundly, especially, Nistru basin, Dubasari and Cuciurgan aquatic reservoirs, the Prut river and Cahul lake. The information on biological diversity of terrestrial waters, wetlands, meadows and anthropogenic ecosystems is insufficient.

5.3. Development of monitoring system of biodiversity The biodiversity monitoring is made at the level of departments and institutions. The observations on biological diversity are carried out by the respective institutions of the Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development the State Forestry Service, higher educational institutions, at 5 research stations of scientific reservations, 7 ecological and geographical polygons and over 40 ecological observations within different biogeographical zones. Hower, these observations haven't been made systematically and at an appropriate level of complexity. There is no monitoring concerning the status of protected species and there are no separate conservation programmes of species, biocenoses and ecosystems. At present, in the Republic of Moldova, the system of integral ecological monitoring is under development. The conception, methodology and integral ecological monitoring programme, the structure of data banks, schemes of stations and monitoring posts location, their parameters and the regulation of the ecological system of monitoring, which establishes the responsibilities and duties of institutions and beneficiaries for collecting, evaluating, processing and utilizing data have been elaborated. The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development is responsible for the implementation of ample programmes of monitoring the air, water, soil, waste, flora and fauna, environment sectors concerning pollution. The State Forestry Service has been performing the regional forest monitoring (the European Network 16 x 16 km) since 1992 in accordance with the requirements of ICP - Forest International Programme. The National Forest monitoring has been functioning since 1993 (National Network 2 x 2 km). The State Forestry Service and the Association of Hunters and Fishermen effect monitoring of hunting and fishing. The specialists of the scientific reservations "Codrii", "Plaiul Fagului", "Padurea Domneasca" and "Prutul de Jos" in collaboration with the Botanical Garden (the Institute of Botany) and the Institute of Zoology take account of the floristic and faunistic species, endangered plant and animal species included in the "Red Book" and those requiring protection. The First Farming Research Station, the Institute of Zoology of the Academy of Sciences as well as the Piscicultural Service monitorize the piscicultural resources from aquatic basins and industrial waters of the Republic of Moldova. Periodically, the experts of government and scientific institutions upon request of the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development perform the biodiversity monitoring and elaborate recommendations on biodiversity protection and conservation. However, much information is not preserved in databases and has a fragmental and non-systematic character. Nowadays, the activities in the field of monitoring are in decline because of the shortage of financial sources. Establishment and development of state survey of vegetal and animal kingdom State survey has the main objective to accumulate data on specific spreading area of species, their abundance, the specific conditions of their living (habitats), the sustainable use and economic value of biological diversity, actions and measures of their restoration and protection. The legislation of the Republic of Moldova provides for the establishment and development of account state survey systems of vegetal and animal kingdom, however the mechanism of implementing the respective laws lacks some provisions. According to legislation, the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development, State Forestry Service, the Academy of Sciences and other organizations have the main responsibilities in this domain.

5.4. Informational management on biodiversity The Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development and the State Forestry Service are the main holders of databases in this field. The Academy of Sciences holds valuable information on specific biodiversity of the vegetal and animal kingdom, landscapes and soils in the Republic of Moldova. The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development has the information on the ecological situation in the country. The information on biological diversity is reflected in reports and scientific publications of state and non-governmental institutions. The elaboration of databases in the geoinformational system (GIS) has been initiated. However these sets of data are not complete. At present the renewal and development of the system of databases of the state financial survey and hydrometeorological information are carried out. The Guidelines "Development of the Managerial Informational System" of the Republic of Moldova (approved through a special decision Nr. 155 of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, March 6, 1995) were elaborated. The Informational System on Public Network of Transportation is being developed now. Nowadays the following networks are accesible for utilization: TERENA (Transeuropean academical and research network); INTERNET (Global network); CRINET (National network for the majority of district centres): WWW site - Moldova ON LINE and others. Nevertheless, the population of the Republic of Moldova do not have access to the information on environment issues, biological diversity status and its conservation, the people do not sufficiently participate in the decision-making process.

5.5. Programmes for landscape, habitat and species conservation According to Article 8 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, "each contracting part shall as far as possible and appropriate: establish a system of protected areas or zones where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity (a); elaborate guidelines for the selection, establishment and management of protected areas as well as measures for biodiversity protection (b)". In this sense the Republic of Moldova has undertaken a number of actions for the realization of these stipulations.

5.5.1. Development of the system of natural protected areas Environmental protection and the establishment of natural protected areas have been given attention since the Middle Ages. The main objectives were protection of forests, hunting species and the protection of curative springs (XIII-XV c. c.). There are three main stages in the development of the fund of state protected areas in the Republic of Moldova: 1958-1959 - the first decision on including 19,5 thousand ha of forest into natural protected areas; 1969-1975 - establishment of the fund of state protected areas and the first state scientific reservation "Codrii"; 1976 up till now - actions of implementing the previous decisions and measures of permanent development of the protected areas (fig. 5.1). The fund of natural protected areas constituted 331 natural objects. They occupied the surface of 41,2 thousand ha or 1,2% of the total area of the country (tab. 5.3). The genetic fund of spontaneous plant species and wild animals constituted 37 000 ha.

Establishment and development of state survey of vegetal and animal kingdom State survey has the main objective to accumulate data on specific spreading area of species, their abundance, the specific conditions of their living (habitats), the sustainable use and economic value of biological diversity, actions and measures of their restoration and protection. The legislation of the Republic of Moldova provides for the establishment and development of account state survey systems of vegetal and animal kingdom, however the mechanism of implementing the respective laws lacks some provisions. According to legislation, the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development, State Forestry Service, the Academy of Sciences and other organizations have the main responsibilities in this domain.

5.4. Informational management on biodiversity The Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development and the State Forestry Service are the main holders of databases in this field. The Academy of Sciences holds valuable information on specific biodiversity of the vegetal and animal kingdom, landscapes and soils in the Republic of Moldova. The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development has the information on the ecological situation in the country. The information on biological diversity is reflected in reports and scientific publications of state and non-governmental institutions. The elaboration of databases in the geoinformational system (GIS) has been initiated. However these sets of data are not complete. At present the renewal and development of the system of databases of the state financial survey and hydrometeorological information are carried out. The Guidelines "Development of the Managerial Informational System" of the Republic of Moldova (approved through a special decision Nr. 155 of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, March 6, 1995) were elaborated. The Informational System on Public Network of Transportation is being developed now. Nowadays the following networks are accesible for utilization: TERENA (Transeuropean academical and research network); INTERNET (Global network); CRINET (National network for the majority of district centres): WWW site - Moldova ON LINE and others. Nevertheless, the population of the Republic of Moldova do not have access to the information on environment issues, biological diversity status and its conservation, the people do not sufficiently participate in the decision-making process.

5.5. Programmes for landscape, habitat and species conservation According to Article 8 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, "each contracting part shall as far as possible and appropriate: establish a system of protected areas or zones where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity (a); elaborate guidelines for the selection, establishment and management of protected areas as well as measures for biodiversity protection (b)". In this sense the Republic of Moldova has undertaken a number of actions for the realization of these stipulations.

5.5.1. Development of the system of natural protected areas Environmental protection and the establishment of natural protected areas have been given attention since the Middle Ages. The main objectives were protection of forests, hunting species and the protection of curative springs (XIII-XV c. c.). There are three main stages in the development of the fund of state protected areas in the Republic of Moldova: 1958-1959 - the first decision on including 19,5 thousand ha of forest into natural protected areas; 1969-1975 - establishment of the fund of state protected areas and the first state scientific reservation "Codrii"; 1976 up till now - actions of implementing the previous decisions and measures of permanent development of the protected areas (fig. 5.1). The fund of natural protected areas constituted 331 natural objects. They occupied the surface of 41,2 thousand ha or 1,2% of the total area of the country (tab. 5.3). The genetic fund of spontaneous plant species and wild animals constituted 37 000 ha. Table 5.3. Fund of natural areas protected by state, 1990 Surface Unit ha %

Natural reservations 6124 14,8

Natural landscapes 27961 67,6

Natural parks 349 0,8

Monuments of nature 3886 9,4

Resources reservations 2927 7,4

Total 41247 100,0

The necessary pre-requisites for the creation of a new legislative system and the extension of the fund of natural protected areas appeared in 1991, when the Republic of Moldova got its independence (1991). The laws of environment protection (1993) and the fund of natural protected areas (1998) formed a new concept of environmental protection, based upon a territorial system of ecological stability, which is ad justed to the national and international requirements.

Table 5.4. Natural areas and objects protected by state (2000) Surface Protected objects IUCN Classification Number ha % Scientific reservations I 5 19378 29,4 National parks II - - - Monuments of nature III 130 2906 4,3 Natural reservations IV 63 8009 12,0 Landscape reservations V 41 34200 51,5 Resources reserves VI 13 523 0,8

Multifunctional management areas VII 32 1030,4 1,5

Biospherical reservations VIII - - - Botanical gardens 1 105 0,1 Zoological gardens 1 20

Dendrological gardens 2 104 0,1 Secular trees 433 - - Rare species: floristic 269 - - faunistic 215 - -

Monuments of landscape architecture 20 191,06 0,3

TOTAL 1225 66467 100,0

At present preference is given to in situ conservation of genetic diversity of organisms. A new classification of natural protected areas has already been adopted. At the moment it includes 12 types (including 8 - according to IUCN criteria), stipulated in the Law on natural protected areas by state (tab. 5.4). At present the total area of natural protected areas protected by state makes up 1,96% of the territory of country, it includes 1225 objects and represents one of the lowest shares of natural protected areas of European countries (figure 5.2). The dumamics of natural protected areas and their perrpective development is diven in fig.5.3. Increase of natural areas protected bu state, which in 2015 will amount to abont 80 thousand ha (2,36% of the country's territory), is planned in juture. The natural protected areas constitue a network for the conservation of biological resources and genetic variety, its nucleus being scientific reservations (which occupy 29,4% of the total protected area) followed by landscape reservations (51,5%). An important particularity of the existing fund of natural protected areas is the inclusion of 15 soil model sectors. Thus the number of vegetal species protected by state is 269 (221 species more than in 1975) (tab. 5.4) and 215 animal species (151 m ore species). The main landscape units of natural protected areas are: Codrii - 38,1%; forest steppe - 24,2%; steppes and meadows - 28,6% (fig. 5.5). A characteristic feature of the national network of natural protected areas is that 92,4% (60721 ha) of the total surface of these areas is under forestry sector, which represents about 18,8% of the total area of forest fund. Unfortunately, the regime of natural protected areas is only partially observed within scientific reservations (tab. 5.5) where the forest cover is 16377 ha (0,5% of the total area covered by forests). The analysis of the main forest communities in the scientific reservations shows that the oak and hornbeam groves are not effectively protected, constituting less than 10% of the total area of forest communities (fig. 5.6) In situ conservation of biological diversity is focused on expanding the natural protected areas and improving their management as well as on developing an ecological network connected to the European Ecological Network.

Table 5.5. Scientific reservations (2000)

Number of Government Number Number of Unit decision and Total Forest of plant animal year of surface surface species species foundation

Codrii Nr. 310 5177 5005,6 1012 200

Iagorl вc date 7.09.71 1044,41 563,29 649 161

Prutul de Jos Nr. 34 1691 312 193 241

Plaiul date 15.02.88 5642 5336 903 197 Fagului

Padurea Domneasca Nr. 209 6032 5160 729 210

5.5.2. National Ecological Network - a concept for natural landscape protection The ecological disbalance, the actual hard social and economical situation, intensive use of natural resources and of the entire environment of the republic require the acceleration of creating the National Ecological Network (NEN). It would cover the network of natural state protected areas, the geosystems and ecosystems still existing in different landscape regions of the republic. The concept of NEN creation was presented in 1991 in the Complex Territorial Scheme on Natural Protection in the Republic of Moldova. In conformity with the mentioned Scheme, NEN structure includes the following main elements: • natural areas representative for ecosphere/biosphere structure (nucleus); • ecological migration and dispersion corridors; • reorganized ecological belts (oases of spontaneous vegetation and protection strips of agrocenoses). The CCB are targeted to the self-regeneration of natural components and biological diversity conservation. For the Republic of Moldova, the natural areas are in fact natural areas protected by state. At present such areas exist in both natural zones and in 5 landscape regions of the republic. The ecological migration corridors will consist of strips and oases of natural vegetation which will ensure the functional link of these habitats and will be migration corridors for animals and dispersion of plants. In order to ensure stable functioning and integrity of the ecosystems, a strict regime will operate on the territory of these biospherical centres with ecological corridors that will provide for: • prohibition of new industrial enterprises construction; • limitation of transport circulation and highways construction; • increase of territorial share of natural complexes up to 30 % in the forest steppe zone and up to 20 % in the steppe zone; • increase of the network surface of natural protected areas; • stable functioning of agrocenoses and obtaining agricultural products ecologically pure. On the basis of the above mentioned the NEN map-scheme at scale 1:200000 was drafted in 1991. It includes 6 sub-zones connected among them via forestry protection belts from the meadows of the Nistru rivers, the Prut, Raut, B вc etc. streams (fig. 5.7). Taking into consideration the surface and the geomorphological and physicogeographical particularity of the territory of the Republic of Moldova and according to the performed calculations NEN will cover 11113 square km (or 33% of the country's territory) with the degree of afforestation of 19%. At present the surface of forests in NEN constitutes 207 thousand ha; including the steppe zone - 31 thousand ha and the forest steppe zone - 176 thousand ha. In order to maintain a dynamic balance, protect and preserve biological diversity, it will be necessary, first of all, to increase the surface of afforested areas, included in NEN, up to 286,4 thousand ha (tab. 5.6), including: in the forest steppe zone- up to 240 thousand ha; in the steppe zone - 46,4 thousand ha. It was stated, based on a preliminary analysis, that the meadows of the Nistru and Prut rivers, the scientific reservations "Codrii", "Plaiul Fagului", "Padurea Domneasca", "Prutul de Jos", "Iagorl вc" as components of NEN, are of European importance for the conservation of biological diversity in the Black Sea basin and Danube Delta. The wetlands of the Nistru river (the zone through which the river flows into the Black Sea) and of the river Prut (the zone of its flowing into Danube Delta) which are habitats for the majority of migratory aquatic birds in the direction of south-north and east-west, are of primordial importance. The meadows of the Raut, B вc, Botna rivers and other tributaries of Nistru and Prut, the natural reservations and the main landscape areas, recreation zones, forestry protection belts and biocenotic oases within agroecosystems, lakes and big water reservoirs are the main components of NEN of national importance. The preliminary analysis of how the already determined elements for NEN structure correspond to the international requirements and how they reflect the specific particularities of the republic territory identified a number of drawbacks, the following being: 1. Negative balance between urbanized and natural areas (increase of urban settlements surfaces based on excessive use of the territory). The centres of urbanization and communication systems have a negative impact upon the natural ecosystems located between them, by the emission of toxic substances into air and aguatic basins, construction of varians objects, unorganised recreational activity of the population. Starting with the 90s, a rapid increase of urban settlements surface is registered due to individual constructions. 2. The existing network of natural protected areas is not enough representative, because many natural valuable areas do not have the appropriate protection status and a number of natural ecosystems (steppes, wetlands) are insufficiently protected. 3. One of the main indices of the areas assisting to stabilize environment is their distribution within the existing landscape diversity (tab. 5.7; fig. 5.8). It was established that the areas assisting to stabilize environment cover nearly 17,5% of the territory of the republic. Moreover, they are not uniformly distributed in the natural zones of the country, constituting 29% of the region of Codrii elevations of Moldova and only about 10-15% of the Balti region of steppe elevations and plains and the region of steppe plains of the lower Nistru terraces. 4. There is no connection between both NEN components and elements of the European Ecological Network. In addition, there is no system of territorial complexes for the protection of the meadows of the Nistru, Prut and other rivers and their tributaries as well as springs, marshes and other wetlands, formed by these rivers. At present, migratory bird species that use these wetlands as habitats are in very serious danger.

Table 5.6. Characteristic of the National Ecological Network (model) Surface of forest and Surface of Level of Increase of Zones of ecological zones, forest afforesta- afforested protection balance thousand on strips, tion, % areas, ha thousand ha thousand ha

A. Forest steppe zone 879 240 27,3 64

B. Steppe zone 232 46,4 20 15,4

Total 1111 286,4 25,7 79,4

Table 5.7. Share of areas assisting to stabilize environment Areas assisting to stabilize environment (% of Surface, landscapes zones) Landscape units thousand ha inclusive protected areas, % % I. Forest steppe zone 1923,20 18,8 2,56 A. Region of forest steppe plateaus and 762,30 15,7 2,10 elevations B. Balti region of meadow steppe elevations 711,30 15,3 1,14 and plains C. Region of Codrii elevations 449,60 29,8 5,61 II. Steppe zone 1461,00 16,1 1,14 A. Steppe-plain region of the Low Nistru 666,10 15,4 0,90 terraces B. Region of fragmentary plains of Bugeac 794,90 16,8 1,35 steppe

Programmes on protected natural areas. The legislation of the Republic of Moldova contains the legal bases for the creation of managerial programmes on natural protected areas. The procedure of areas management with different level of conservation has been set forth by law (1998). The document Nr. 1107 adopted by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, November 6, 1998 "Strategic Directions for Social and Economic Development of the Republic of Moldova till 2005" provides for the major social objectives of the environmental policy with regard to the creation of the National Ecological Network and Biological Diversity Conservation, which are directed at the elaboration of a programme and an action plan in this field.

5.5.3. Ex situ biodiversity conservation. Museum collections There are different institutions, activating in the field of plant and animal species protection, in the Republic of Moldova. The traditional ones are the botanical, zoological, dendrological gardens, public parks and others. At the beginning they were protected in the parks of estates and monasteries located in various regions of the country. They were created starting with the XIXth century. The park of Pavlovca (18,3 ha, founded in 1900), the park of H вncauti (27 ha, end of XIX century), the park of Taul (46 ha, 1901-1904), "Leontea" park (21,49 ha, end of XIX century), the Arboretum of Chisinau municipality (74 ha, 1950) and others are among these areas. At present ex situ evaluation and conservation of plant and animal species are carried out at academic and branch institutions. Beyond the natural habitats, about 3 thousand plant species are preserved, the main holders being the Botanical Garden (Institute) of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, the Dendrological Garden, Taul park, the Arboretum from Tiraspol. The Collections of the Zoological garden and those of the Institute of Zootechnics and Veterenarian Medicine contain about 203 species and breeds of animals, uith 106 species from other regions. Nhe National ccollection of Microorganisms holds nearly 500 taxa - fungi, bacteria, viruses etc. The Herbarium of the Botanical Garden and State University includes about 320 thousand samples of plants from different floristic regions. The zoological collections contain about 182 bird species and 4700 insect species. The palenonthological collections of plants contain nearly 270 species and 1500 animal species. Nowadays the condition of these collections is lametable because of financial insufficiency.

5.6. Staff training in the field of biodiversity conservation

The existing system of personnel training seeks to provide various institutions and organizations with specialists in the field of biological diversity conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. First of all, this relates to personal training in the field of botany, zoology, microbiology, genetics, ecology, forestry, agronomy and other fields dealing with biological resources. The main centres of personnel training are Moldova State University, Pedagogical University of Tiraspol and State Agrarian University. The existing condition of the educational process is strongly affected by the general decline of economy of the republic and reduced capacities of educational institutions. Poor technical basis and insufficient supply of modern equipment obstruct proper development of studies and researches.

5.7. Public awareness on ecology

The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development maintains permanent relations with the country's population by conducting press conferences, round tables etc., in particular upon drafting projects, taking major decisions and important proposals on environment. A number of state institutions and non-governmental organizations are actively involved in elaborating informative materials, conducting seminars and educational campaigns to raise the public awareness regarding the biological diversity conservation. The most important state organizations in the field of education are as follows: the Botanical Garden (Institute) of the Academy of Sciences; the Zoological Garden from Chisinau; the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History; Moldova State University Nature Museum, the Scientific Reservation "Codrii". About 70 non-governmental organizations exist in Moldova. 40 NGOs conduct important activities toward public education and awareness on ecology and the solution of problems on biological diversity conservation. The population education on the importance of biological diversity and the ways of its improvement is inadequately conducted and do not meet the requirements of different conventions and agreements in the respective domain. There are no educational state programmes concerning the ecological education and nature protection for schools. There is no strategy on ecological education of the society for the time being. This issue is becoming more and more important, in particular due to land reforms conducted in the republic when individuals receive land plots into ownership. Most of them have already begun using natural resources without posessing adequate knowledge of the methods of sustainable use of agricultural land and the importance of biodiversity conservation. The TV programme "Ave Natura" and the radio programme "Ecoterra" play an important role in public awareness. At present the main periodicals "Natura" (published since 1989) and "Guta" (a magazine for children, founded in 1996) cover issues on nature protection and biological diversity conservation. The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development in cooperation with the Regional Centre of Environment is conducting workshops with NGOs addressing urgent issues on environmental protection. The programmes and appropriate actions in this field will contribute to increase public awareness, public authorities and specialists in the field. The population contribution to decision-making and implementation of programmes for biodiversity conservation both on a "horizontal" and "vertical" approach compulsorily provides: • development activities of public awareness by the whole society and decision- making factors on the complexity of environmental problems and their consequences upon health and quality of life, the vital necessity of changing and protecting the ecosystems, of biodiversity conservation at the local and republican level; • development of a public informational system with independent sources to supply reliable, updated data on the status of environment, biological diversity and quality of life, observance of the ecological legislation, application of penalties and fines and further integration of this system into the global, Pan-European, regional and zonal informational network; • profound ecological educational education at all levels (primary, secondary, secondary-school, gymnasium, university, academic); • determination of ecological and investment priorities by the respective authorities and population in order to solve the problems in the fields of ecology, biological diversity protection and environment sanitation at local and zonal level; • launching a "movement of greeners" in all political, statal and non-governmental structures; • public access to justice and participation in the problems of environment and health and genetic security.

5.8. Financial capacity National statistics fails to indicate separately the funds targeted to biodiversity conservation but it is obvious that they represent expenses both for forestry and partially for water and soil protection. In 1997-1998 the annual expenses for environment protection constituted 97 million lei or about 1,2% of the GDO and is still reducing (73% as compared to 1993). In 1998 the current expenses had the largest weight (64,6% or 61 million lei) and were followed by the expenses in the forestry sector (24,7% or 23,2 million lei) and the capital investments (4,6% or 4,3 million. lei). Since 1995 the state contribution to financing this field has been continuously decreasing. The state budget provided less and less funds for the development of forestry farming for the last 5 years: in 1993 - 86%; in 1997 - 19%; in 1998 - 26% (or 6 mln. lei) of the total volume of expenses in this field. According to the available data, the expenses related to the maintenance of natural reservations, protection and reproduction of wild animals are 1,2 and 0,2 mln. lei or 5,5 and 0,9% of the allocations for forestry. In 1998, about 0,85 mln. lei or 3,7% of the total allocations for scientific researches were alloted in the field of biological diversity conservation. A two-fold reduction of these allocations was noticed in the last 2 years. The ecological funds provide no essential support for biological diversity conservation. After signing a number of international conventions on environmental protection Moldova benejits certain international assistance both from international financial institutions and on the part of the governments of some developed countries. Thus, the annual expenses related to biodiversity conservation, from all financing sources amount to nearly 29 mln. lei (6,3 mln. USA dollars), constituting 0,3% of the GDO, except foreign assistance (fig. 5.9). Problems in the fields of financing activities of biodiversity conservation: • The incapacity of the state and local budget to provide sufficient financial resources in the field; • Budget system imperfection regarding payments accumulation for into local budgets the utilization of natural resources, while the problems of biological diversity conservation, in most cases, are of regional or national character; • Lack of alternative sustainable financial sources; • The imperfection of the economic and financial mechanisms that do not encourage the economic agents to meet the environmental requirements. It is necessary to become conscious that the control of the degradation of the existing biological diversity, the improvement and implementation of the concepts on sustainable development will require fewer funds as compared to the future needs for the restoration of degraded biotopes, populations and species of spontaneous plants and endangered wild animals.

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY CONSERVATION NATIONAL STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN

Priority problems and strategy elements on biological diversity conservation were elucidated in the National Strategic Action Programme on Environmental Protection (NSAPEP) and the National Action Plan on Environmental Protection (NAPEP), which were approved by the Government of the Republic of Moldova. The National Strategy and the Action Plan on Biological Diversity Conservation (NSAPBDC) presented here can be considered as forthcoming steps in solving the mentioned problems and the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity in the Republic of Moldova. These documents stipulate a series of measures concerning the restoration and biological diversity conservation at genetic, specific and ecosystemic levels. Taking into account the transition period to the market economy and the implementation of the environment policy, NSAPBDC in the Republic of Moldova will serve for: • negotitations with the representatives of different branches of the national economy, local communities and landowners that manage the biological resources; • actions on the promotion of the national environmental programme. The success of the NSAPBDC planning and implementation will largely depend on the rational use of financial and human resources as well as the efficient information and awareness of the society on biological diversity. The national strategy on bio-diversity conservation defines the strategic long-term objectives in this field. The Action Plan specifies the necessary actions within the established period, the institutions in char-ge and the financial resources for the implementation of the Biological Diver-sity Conservation Strategy. The governmental institutions are involved as organizations in charge of sectoral policy including the private sector in order to accomplish the drafted actions. The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development has the role of a National Agency for Strategy Implementation. The Ministry has established a Coordinating Committee, which includes representatives from various state organizations directly or indirectly involved in biodiversity conservation in order to supervise and ensure the consistency of the planned actions. NSAPBDC shall ensure: • a comprehensive assessment of the existing data on biological diversity conservation in the Republic of Moldova; • priority actions promotion aimed at biological diversity conservation and protection; • conduct a compaign of public information to persuade its participation in actions on the conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity. To carry out these tasks at the stage of NSAPBDC elaboration a number of seminars and conferences were organized. The current situation and the tendencies of changing biodiversity in Moldova were discussed. The purposes and objectives as well as measures for their realization were determined. Representatives of different state institutions, scientific, economic and non-governmental organizations that took part in these meetings contributed to the establishment of the informational base for NSAPBDC development. The public information campaign is in full swing and covers a series of publications, TV and radio programmes.

6.1. Biological Diversity Conservation National Strategy - goals, principles and objectives

The overal goal of the Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy - is conservation, restoration, reconstructure and rational use of biological diversity and landscape in order to ensure social and economical sustainable development of the Republic of Moldova.

BDCS identifies the following basic principles for its implementation: 1. Priority of in situ conservation of biological diversity. 2. Significant loss of biological diversity compensation by the extension of natural protected areas and new green spaces. 3. Landscapes maintenance in accordance with their biological richness. 4. Utilization of biological resources within the framework of their regeneration. 5. Common responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The SBDC in the Republic of Moldova focuses on the following main objectives in order to implement the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity: 1. Assessment and aknowledement of biological diversity as a fundamental value of the Republic of Moldova. 2. Identification and liquidation of all risks of anthropogenic origin that threaten the integrity and maintenance of ecosystems and species. 3. Identification of optimal conditions to restore the environment via biological diversity conservation. 4. Improvement of the legal framework for the use and conservation of biological resources. 5. Establishment of a social and economic benefit for the sustainable use of biological resources at the regional, national and local level. 6. Improvement of the management system in the field of biological diversity conservation. 7. Information and awareness of the population regarding the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, public involvement in the decision-making process.

6.2. Biological Diversity Conservation Action Plan The implementation of the National Strategy in the field of Biological Diversity Conservation requires the elaboration of a plan of action which would allow the accomplishment of the strategic goals by concrete actions. The activities of biological diversity conservation are directed at the improvement of policies, legislation and institutional system, measures for territorial development, the elaboration of programmes for the conservation and restoration of biological diversity, the development of monitoring and researches, the improvement of the informational and educational system, ensurence of biological security. To fulfill the tasks on the conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity, it is necessary to undertake ample concrete actions at regional, national, district and local level, taking into account the peculiarity of the natural and economic asset of the region and country, the local priorities and the risk of biological diversity loss. The components of the Action Plan have been systematized dependind on the complexity of the provided actions and objectives and distributed under three categories, in conformity with the implementation term - short term (< 5 years); medium term (5-10 years) and long term (> 10 years). However, the calculations of the financial resources necessary for the strategy implementation have been done only for the period of 10 years. The responsible institutions for promoting the actions indicated in the plan have also been identified.

6.2.1. Main activities for biodiversity conservation a) Improvement of the legislative and institutional basis The current reform of the legislative system in the Republic of Moldova regarding its integration in the European Union (EU) is in full swing. Though certain results in this field ave deen obtained, actions of improving the existing legislative basis are necessary. They are as follows: • the elaboration of a draft law regarding the protection of the vegetal kingdom and their habitats. The law will provide the general principles on the protection of wild plants and animals and will include the regulations on these species trade. The international conventions requirements on biodiversity will be integrated in it; • the elaboration of the draft law on the National Ecological Network which will provide the general principles of creating an ecological network and the methods of regulating the owners responsibilities; • improvement of the Law regarding the zones and protection strips of rivers and water basins; • elaboration of the regulation regarding the protected species and habitats which will provide general regulations of territorial management for the protection of plant and animal species as well as the adoption of the new list of protected species; • elaboration and/or improvement of the legislation and regulations regarding the protection of significant natural habitats taking into consideration the national requirements and those of international agreements; • elaboration of legislative documents with regard to the protection of collections and genetic funds; • elaboration of the law concerning the use and protection of transgenic organisms. Biodiversity protection should be integrated in the sectoral policy and legislative documents, which regulate the use of natural resources and territories. The major task is the coordination improvement between the law on environment and the documents that regulate the responsibilities and rights of the local administration and landowners. The adequate institutional system should be elaborated to implement the priority actions. b) In situ protection of species The protection of plant and animal diversity should be ensured, as a rule, by two ways: • protection of new natural areas by state; • in situ protection of species. The recommended actions to ensure protections of species are as follows: • to establish a system of evaluation and monitoring of endangered species in order to draft methods of their protection; • to publish the new version of the "Red Book" of species from the Republic of Moldova; • to prepare programmes of action for species on the way to disappear at national and international levels; • to include the principles of biodiversity conservation in the educational programmes; • to strictly stipulate the tasks of local administration for environment protection; • to organize educational activities and campaigns of public information. c) Protection of natural significant habitats To ensure the protection of species diversity under natural conditions, it is necessary: • to protect plants and wild animals habitats; • to identify the significant habitats and organize their protection; • to sign contracts and agreements between the local administration and land users on the protection of significant and endangered habitats, which will stipulate the introduction of stimulators for their correct management. d) Ex situ protection of species Great importance in the conservation of biological diversity is given to the development and protection of the genetic fund outside the natural habitats (ex situ). Among the priority actions in this domain we should mention: • registration and evaluation of cultivated plants, domestic animals, collctions of plants and microorganisms, their certification and financing; • optimization of institutional capacities of the gene banks of cultivated plants; • conservation of species in botanical and zoological gardens, their supervision, multiplication and reintroduction in natural ecosystems, especially, of rare and endangered species. e) Protection and restoration of migration routes The Republic of Moldova is a region of major importance regarding the migration routes of birds, bats, butterflies, dragon-flies, amphibians, plants seed dispersion and many other living organisms. The international responsibilities that provide animal migration between Europe and Africa, the regions of West and Central Europe and those of North and East Europe oblidge us to pay special attention to preserving the quality of the environment and important habitats. The preservation of fish migration routes, the spawning areas and the ensurance of water high quality for the conservation and protection of fish species and ichtiocenoses are of special value for biodiversity conservation. The maintenance of the migration routes requires the implementation of the following actions: • identification and map-drawing of migration routes of animals and plant dispersion, the evaluation of intersection places and their protection; • the elaboration of a research programme of migration routes and the evaluation of the importance for animals migration and plants dispersion; • the furher development of subregional cooperation in order to do away with the fragmentation of migration routes of animals and plant dispersion, ensurance of their continuity from country to country. f) National Ecological Network creation The improvement of the existing system of protected areas should be based on the concept of a National Ecological Network where the most valuable natural territories are surrounded by buffer zones and connected by forest strips and oases of natural vegetation. This will contribute to the diminution of the unfavorable impact of natural habitats fragmentation, the maintenance of migration corridors of wild species, the stabilization of ecosystems and the sustainable use of biodiversity at landscape level. The necessary measures for the creation of the National Ecological Network are: • Improvement of the conception and methodology on the National Ecological Network creation at different levels; • Incorporation of NEN requirements into the Scheme of National Territorial Development and regional development; • Elaboration of territorial schemes of NEN, district Ecological Networks and local ones; • Organization of new protected areas and adoption of documents of action within them; • Selection of valuable biological areas so as to include them into NEN; • Optimization of institutional and management capacities of natural protected areas by state and the coordination of these activities with the neighbour countries (particularily with Romania and the Ukraine) in order to ensure transboundary connection of biologically valuable territories and to join them with the system of the European Ecological Network; • Connection of the territories included in NEN with the European protected areas of downstream Danube (the biosphere reservation "Danube Delta") and of the lakes near the Black Sea; • Educational activities and public information on the importance of NEN, protected areas and its involvement in the actions of biodiversity protection. g) Development of scientific researches It is necessary to undertake studies on the determination of the causes of the species degradation and to elaborate measures on the restoration of endangered populations in order to increase the effectiveness of these species protection. It is necessary to accomplish the inventory of flora and fauna and to develop the monitoring of the species status and valuable habitats as well as threatened ones. Special attention should be given to complex studies of valuable areas, where natural values of international importance are concentrated (the lower and the medium stream of the Nistru and Prut rivers, the Danubian sector, scientific reservations and the territories of future national parks). It is also necessary to evaluate the efficiency of various methods of management in different social-economical sectors on biodiversity, to elaborate recommendations on the restoration of natural degraded areas taking into consideration their cost and the possibility of the local population involvement. h) Improvement of the informational and monitoring system It is necessary to offer truthfull and accessible information regarding the current status of biodiversity with a view to sustainable use of natural resources. Thus, the data collected by different institutions should be compatible and have unique interpretation. It is of use to create a complex system of monitoring, to select indicators of biodiversity representativeness for the entire country and for territories of high natural value. A biodiversity information department should be created within the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development, which would coordinate research, monitoring and information storage. i) Improvement of the educational and training system The system of education and training should be deepened on cultivating positive attitude towards nature starting with preschool institutions. The educational programmes should be revised but the principles of biodiversity conservation should be integrated in such domains as forestry, agriculture, tourism and others. It is necessary to train specialists in the matter of nature conservation, to include in the curricula the up-to-date methods of research on the environment protection and biodiversity. 6.2.2. Responsibilities for Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan Implementation Different governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations implement the Convention on Biological Diversity. The recommendations stipulated in Chapter VI are directed, first of all, at different state administration levels and other social economic sectors. The Government of the Republic of Moldova and the competent ministries (Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Processing Industry, State Forestry Service and others) are responsible for the implementation of measures meant to ensure the Convention goals. Another administrative chain concerning the Strategy and Action Plan realization is represented by local public authorities. The Academy of Sciences and other branch scientific research institutions create the scientific support for biological diversity conservation. There is a wide range of non-governmental organizations and interested groups which act as partners in implementing the specific measures. It is necessary to create an Interministerial Coordinating Council and an Institutional Operational Unit within the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development in order to increase the efficiency of the activities of BDCSAP implementation. A decisive factor in the protection of biodiversity is the level of public awareness in the Republic of Moldova. Therefore, it is important to increase the level of awareness, responsibility and their participation in decision-making in this field.

6.3. Financial sources for BDCSAP implementation The total cost of activities in conformity with the Action Plan constitutes about 18,7 million USD, 68-70% of these sources will be provided by the state budget, State Forestry Service, national ecological fund, other local sources and 30-32% of them will be offered by international organizations. The cost of actions for the restoration and protection of different ecosystems considerably varies, the major weight belonging to forest ecosystems (about 30% of the total cost) (fig. 6.1). The activities in different domains which will be undertaken to implement the Action Plan, require various expenses for the territorial development, actions for biodiversity conservation and restoration - 61%, researches and monitoring - 22%, informational and educational aspect - 12% and actions to improve policies, legislation and institutional framework - 5%. The possible sources of financing will include: state budget, national ecological fund, own assets of the State Forestry Service, landowners, assistance of internationalfinancial institutions and foreign donations. Nearly 1,4 fold increase of the cultural expenditures is required in order to implement the Action Plan. These expenditures will constitute 0,47% of the GDO. The financial aspects and partners responsible to implement the Action Plan elaborated in the framework of BDCSAP are given in tab. 6.1.

Table 6.1. Financial aspects and institutions in charge of the BDCSAP Action Period of Cost of actions, thousand USD Institutions in charge of implemen-tatio- policy promotion and n Total National Foreign action realization

General actions 2000–2010 1074 741 333 METD, ASM, SFS

Creation of National Ecological Network 2000–2010 1183 816 367 METD, ASM, LA

Protection of forest ecosystems 2000–2010 5592 3858 1734 METD, SFS, LA

Protection of steppe ecosystems 2000–2010 3861 2664 1197 METD, MAPI, LA

Protection of meadow ecosystems 2000–2010 1100 760 340 METD, MAPI, LA

Protection of petrophyte ecosystems 2000–2010 763 526 237 MAPI, ASM, LA

Protection of aquatic ecosystems 2000–2010 1214 838 376 METD, CAM, LA

BD protection of agricultural ecosystems 2000–2010 2303 1589 714 METD, MAPI, LA

BD protection of urban ecosystems 2000–2010 593 409 184 METD, LA

Species protection 2000–2005 647 446 201 METD, ASM

Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity 2000–2005 374 258 116 METD, ASM, MAPI

Total 18704 12907 5797

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION The common actions with the neighbour states, Romania and the Ukraine, as well as in the framework of the environmental regional programmes in the Black sea basins and the Danube constitute an integral part of the environemnt policy of the Republic of Moldova. The rivers Danube and Nistru, the stream Prut, as well as wetlands with unique landscapes and monuments of nature, the zones with rare, vulnerable and endangered species etc. are attributed to sectors of mutual interest. The implementation of these actions in these regions should be based both on separate financing by the parts concerned and on international assistance. The Republic of Moldova signed agreements on bilateral colaboration with Romani (1997), Belarus (19940 and the Ukraine (1993). Nevertheless, it is necessary to include some compartments on biodiversity conservation: • protection of boundary aquatic ecosystems, including plant and animal species; • implementation of common actions on promoting the sustainable use and protection of migratory species; • continuity ensurance of boundary ecological corridors/networks on the respective territories; • agreements on important natural objects and managements harnomizing programmes of boundary protected zones. The Republic of Moldova takes an active part in regional multilateral cooperation programmes on the protection of the Black Sea and Danube basins. In 1993 Moldova joined the regional programme on ecological administration in the Danube river basin, but in 1994 it signed the Convention and the Declaration for the Danube river. At present, the project on the extension of the reservation in the Danube delta is being prepared in common with Romania and the Ukraine. The Republic of Moldova, in collaboration with Bulgaria, Romania and the Ukraine, participates in the elaboration of the project "Green Corrdiors for Migratory Species". Close and regular contacts between the governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations, should be supported and promoted, as well as between the scientists that work on solving the biodiversity issues in this region. The conferences and workshops are to be considered as important forms of the regional activities on experience exchange. The basic directions of these activities can be the following: • to bring the legislation in compliance with that of the European Union; • to create the National Ecological Network and subregional networks; • to create and manage transboundary protected areas. One of the important common activity between the three states can be the extension of protected areas in the junction zone of the Prut and Danube rivers. It should be mentioned that common activities on the creation of a free economic zone in this region were started in 1998 and in 1999 TACIS project "Management of Prut river water" began. Projects on the extension of the scientific reservation "Prutul de Jos" and its connections to the biospheric reservation "Danube Delta" are being elaborated. Of major importance are the common activities of the Republic of Moldova and the Ukraine on the creation of protected areas in the north-west basin of the Black sea. The project "Management of water quality and biodiversity protection in the lower Nistru river" is under work. It will contribute to the solution of some problems of common interest. The bilateral Convention between the Republic of Moldova and the Ukraine on the utilization of aquatic and biological resources and the biodiversity conservation of the river Nistru is under elaboration. As a member of the European Council, the Republic of Moldova makes efforts in the implementation of the Pan-European Strategy on the Biological and landscape diversity, approved at the European Conference of ministers of the environment (Sofia, 1995).

MONITORING OF BDCNS IMPLEMENTATION

The sociao-economic, ecological and organizational indicators of sustainable development have been determined in the "Strategical directions of social economic development of the Republic of Moldova up to 2005". The basic indicators of sustainable development, determined by the indices of the environment status, ecosystems and natural areas protected by state, those directly dealing with biodiversity conservation are the following: • afforestation; • share of state protected natural areas (reservations, monuments of natural); • share of endangered plant and animal species (of the total number of species of the main taxa), status of endangered and vulnerable species (included in the Red Book); • the surface of the areas for water protection; • the utilization of the financial fund, including the agricultural, afforested, aquatic, roads and settlements. The organizational indicators of sustainable development referring to biodiversity are: • provision with normative acts and methodical recommendations for evaluating the biological damage; • ratification of international conventions reffering to the environment protection, including that of biodiversity; • presence of governmental and non-governmental organizations which activate in the domnain of environment protection. The way of tacking the effectiveness of the activities of the Convention realization with regard to Biological Diversity is reflected in art. 7 of the Convention. In conformity with this article, the Republic of Moldova, as much as possible, concerning the objectives of art. 8 "In situ conservation", art. 9 "Ex situ conservation" and art. 10 "Sustainable use of the strategy components": • determines the biodiversity components of major importance, in conformity with tab. 8.1; • monitors the biodiversity components, especially those requiring urgent measures of conservation and can have sustainable utilization; • evaluates and controls the factors which have a strong negative impact on biodiversity conservation; • collects and analyses the corresponding information (accroding to the above- mentioned domains). The main indicates of biodiversity which will be used in the monitoring realization of the Convention on Biological Diversity are reflected in tab. 8.1. The majority of the indicators have already been resorted to in the analytical compartments of this report (II, III, IV, V) in order to reflect the current situation of biodiversity in the Republic of Moldova. The basic indicators will be used for the elaboration of National reports on carrying out the Convention Requirements with regard to Biological Diversity provision of the informational database as to political decision-making, the activities of the main institutional structures in the respective domain and public information.

Table 8.1. Main indicators of the effectiveness monitoring of the Convention realization on Biological Diversity Main indicators in 1999 Levels and components of BD evaluation Future objectives and conservation

Indicator type Indicator value

1. Landscapes The ration of the territory Optimization of the natural ecosystems surface ratio with the and ecosystems surface of different anthropo-genic territories by increasing their mosaicity ecosystems, % (forest strips, biocenotic oases)

- forests 9,6 15% - steppes 1,92 2,5% - meadows 3,0 3,52% - petrophyte 0,68 at the present level - aquatic and paludous 2,8 increase up to 3,3% - anthropogenic 82,0 reduction up to 75%

1.1. Forestry Total surface, thousand ha Increase of the forestry ecosystems surface up to 15%, - afforestation, % 325,4 especially in the poorly afforested zones. Conservation of - afforestation degree by 9,6 natural forests. zones, % - south 6,7 - central 13,5 - north 7,2 Species number: plants 859 vertebrate animals 172 State protected surface, % thousand ha 18,8 60721

1.2. Steppes Surface, % 1,92 Conservation of the existing steppe ecosystems and the thousand ha, including: 65,0 reduction of the negative impact on them, restoration of the pratosteppes - degraded ones. Extension of the steppe ecosystems areas real steppes - protected by state. subdesert steppes - Species number: plants 600 vertebrate animals 88

1.3. Meadow Surface, % 3,0 Conservation of the existing meadow ecosystems, thousand ha, including: 101,4 restoration of the deteriorated biotopes. Extension of the flooded - protected by State meadow ecosystems. unflooded. - Species number: plants 650 vertebrate animals 88 State protected surface (steppe and meadows), % 0,40 thousand ha 0,67

1.4. Petrophytes Surface, % 0,68 Conservation of the existing petrophyte ecosystems, thousand ha, 23,0 restoration of the degraded ones. Diminution of the negative including: impact on them. Extention of the state protected petrophyte oak petrophyte forests - areas. common oak petrophyte forests - subarid oak forests - petrophyte grassy communities - Species number: plants 250 vertebrate animals 38 State protected surface, % thousand ha 19,6 4,5

1.5. Aquatic and Surface, % 2,8 Conservation of the existing aquatic ecosystems, restoration paludous housand ha 94,6 of the degraded ones. Stopping their pollution. Extension of Rivers: state protected aquatic and paludous ecosystems areas. number 3260 total length, thousand km; 16,0 network density km/km2. 0,12 Lakes: number 3532 total surface, km2 333 accumulation volume, km3. 1,8 Species number: plants 160 vertebrate animals 125 hydrofauna 2135 State protected surface, % 2,1 thousand ha 2,0

1.6. Agrarian Surface, % 75,6 Stopping the extension of agricultural areas. Increase of thousand ha 2555 agricultural by practicing mixed cultures, optimal ecological including arable land, % 64,7 alternation of annual and multiannual cultures, acreation of thousand ha 2187 biocenotic oases and protection strips, implementation of Surface of degraded soils, methods of biological agriculture and integrated technologies, thousand ha 490 increase of the index of agricultural areas covering, Species number: spontaneous withdrawal of the degraded land out of agricultural circuit plants 460 and their amellioration. wild animals 109 Cultivated species: plants 97 ce includ 553 soiuri Animals 28 rase Soil types 5 clase 13 tipuri 35 subtipuri

1.7. Urban Surface of green urban Increase of green spaces surfaces from urban settlements up spaces, % 4,16 to 15% of the locality territory. Ecological optimization of the thousand ha 1,8 green spaces structure. Number: plant species 220 secular trees 88

2. Utilization of Share of areas, % Ecological optimization of anthropogenic landscapes. biological natural 18 Increase of the share of areas stabilizing the environment. resources anthropogenic 82

2.1. Resurse Forest distribution per Retrocession of afforested areas to the State Forestry Service. forestiere holders, % : Stopping illicit forest cutting. Increase of the surfaces of State Forestry Service 87,0 protection strips for agricultural areas, water basins, green other holders 13,0 protection zones of industrial enterprises. Functional structure of forests, % : environment protection 48,0 recreational 29,0 genetic fund conservation 14,0 areas protection 7,0 water protection 2,0 Protection forest strips, % of arable land 1,1 thousand ha 22,0 Forest cutting: for exploitation, th. ha 14,26 hygiene, ha 976,0 Volume of wood mass: total, mln. m 3 35,14 harvested, thousand m 3 80,0 Annual growth, m 3/ha Illicit 3,2 cutting, thousand m 3 7,0

2.2.Resurse ale Collection of accessory Reduction of the volume of plants collection from natural florei spontane products: ecosystems. Control on the observance of the restrictions of number of utilized 200 plant pecies collection, included in the Red Book. species volume of collected products, tons/year 2653

2.3. Resurse Structure of the The main task is the optimization of the abundance of hunting cinegetice єi cynegetical fund: animal populations. Quadrupted hunting has been forbidden piscicole surface, thousand ha, 2535 lately, while other species hunting has been significantly including: reduced. Wor on fish reproduction and amellioration. Stopping forestry 383 aquatic basins pollution. agricultural 2069 aquatic 83 Species abundance and vezi capitolul 3.2 hunting share Piscicultural resources: fishing 56 basins 70 fishing volume, t vezi capitolul 3.3 species frequency, %

2.4. Resurse The genetic fund of vezi cap. 3.4, Creation of the National Centre of Genetic Resources, genetice agricultural, medicinal plants 3.5, 3.6 Informational Bank of Genetic Resources and optimization of Endangered species, the capacities of the Centre of Vegetal Genetic Resources. domestic animals and microorganisms

III. Flora єi fauna Floristic and faunistic vezi cap.2.5 There exist indicators of all biodiversity conservation activities diversity: in different socio-economic sectors; the optimization of their - species proportion habitats. according to taxa - relict and endemic species share (% and total number) - endangered species share (% and total number) - species number included in the Red Book - number of invasive species (introduced) - number of species with Evaluation of protection measures and their international protection status

IV. Impact on It is necessary to elaborate The characte-ristics of the Purpose: ecological optimization activities in biodiversity the evaluation criteria of the reasons and impact on different socio-economic sectors (see chapter impact. biodiversity is reflected in IV). chapter IV.

V. Protection level Number and total surface Capacities (main indicators of (ha) of natural areas Optimization of natural areas protected by state protection protected by state: including: 1225 (66467) in conformity with the "Law on the fund of activities) - scientific reservations state protected natural areas". - monuments of nature 5 (19378) - natural reservations 130 (2906,8) - landscape reservations 63 (8009) - resource reservations 41 (34200) - multifunctional anagement 13 (523) areas - natural areas share 34 (1030,4) protected by state. Development of the system 1,96 of state protected natural areas: 2005 years See chapter 5.5.1. 2010 70000 An increase of the surface of state protected 2015 75000 natural areas is planed. By 2015 it will share by 80000 constitute 2,36% of the country territory. 2015, % (ha) 2,36 Typological structure of state 80000 protection natural areas (%): - scientific reservations - natural reservations - landscape reservations 29,4 - monument of nature 12,0 - multifunctional areas 51,5 - others. 4,3 Landscape structure of 1,5 state protected natural 1,3 areas (%): - plateaus and forest steppe - Balti steppe - Codrii 24,2 - Lower Nistru plain 12,3 - Bugeac steppe 38,1 Ecosystemic structure of 9,1 state protected natural areas, 16,3 ha (%): - forests - steppes and meadows - petrophytes 59495,6 (89,5) - aquatic and paludous 647,7 (1,01) National Ecological 4503 (6,77) Network: 2015,6 (3,03) - number and surface (ha) of centres of biospheric It is being elaborated. See chapter 5.5.2. constitution Creation of the optimal ecological proportion - length of migration of environment stabilizing areas and those corridors (km) antropogenically transformed and other - number and surface of optimization activities of landscapes and their buffer zones structure. - ecological reconstruction zones

- ecological reconstruction zones - agricultural ecological texture Ecosystems surface included in NEN (ha): - forests - steppes - meadows - petrophytes - aquatic and paludous

Integration degree with the See chapter 5.5.2. European Ecological Network: - national legislation harmonization with that of EU - subregional network creation - number and surface of transboundary protected areas VI. Control level Government Decisions Activities of the central control Control of Convention implementation on body - Ministry of Environment Biological Diversity Interministrial Coorsinating and Territorial Development Council creation

Level of tasks realization National Reports on the Control of Convention implementation on BD Convention realization on BD. Periodic publication The Red Book of protected Control of biodiversity endangered components, species in the Republic of elaboration of their conservation measures Moldova. Real level of monitoring Evaluation of the state and dynamics of National Monitoring (system of indicators) biological resources Department of the Environment Section of biological monitoring Real level of survey State cadastral survey of accomlishment (system of Additional information on the condition and vegetal and animal world indicators) utilization of vegetal and animal world

According ro the Law of Environment State and public control Protection VII. Organiza- Convention Requirements on Level and terms of priority Implementation of Convention requirements on tional-opera-tional BD, National Strategy and actions imple-mentation Biological Diversity Creation of Operational level Action Plan on Biological Institutional Units (agency or direction) Diversity Conservation

Priority actions of local and public bodies, ministries and departments.National reports on the realization on Convention requirements with regard to Biological Diversity.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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ABREVIATIONS

LA – Local Administration ASM – Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova

CAM – Concern „Apele Moldovei” BD – Biological Diversity

NFF – National Forest Fund

MAPI – Ministry of Agriculture and Processing Industry MES – Ministry of Education and Science

MIE – Ministry of Industry and Energetics

METD – Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development MTC – Ministry of Transpotation and Communications

NAPEP – National Action Plan for Environmental Protection

NSPAEP – National Strategic Programme of Action for Environmental protection BDCSAP – Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan

SFS – State Forestry Service

TACIS – Asisten\a Tehnic= a Comunit=\ii Statelor Independente TV – Television of the Republic of Moldova EU – European Union