Table of content:

Acknowledgements & Authors

Summary

List of abbreviations

Introduction

1. Ecological Network of Moldova

1.1. Components of Eco-Network

1.2. Geographical Aspects of NENM

1.3. Levels of Components of the Eco-Network

1.4. Eco-Network as Informational System

2. System of Criteria for Estimate of Value of Components of Ecological Network

2.1. Criteria for Attribution of Particular Status to Core Areas with Natural and Semi-Natural Ecosystem Cover

2.2. Criteria for Ranking Areas of the Eco-Network which are Not Core Areas

2.3. Principles for Designating Areas Intended for Ecological Restoration and for Establishing Biological Corridors in Conditions of Excessive Economic Land Use

2.4. Use of Lands for Establishing Biological Corridors and Restoration, which Not Meet Criteria of Areas Intended for Ecological Restoration

3. Operational Checklists

3.1. Operational Checklist of Vascular Plants

3.2. Operational Checklist List of Endemic Vegetation Associations

3.3. Operational List of Insects

3.4. Operational List of Terrestrial Vertebrates

4. Objects of Eco-Network

5. Main Actions Concerning National Eco-Network of Moldova

6. Estimation of Potential and Some Recommendations for Establishing National Ecological Network of Moldova

6.1. Main Conditions for Establishing NENM

6.1.1. Elaborating the Concept of Eco-Network in Moldova

6.1.2. Ecological and Socio-Economical Conditions of Forming Eco-Network

6.1.3. Analysis of Legal Framework for Establishing National Eco-Network

6.2. Comment on Results of Area Estimations, Based on Main Components of Ecological Network of Moldova (by Biological Indicators)

6.2.1. Estimation of Core Areas

6.2.2. Designated Components of Eco-Network in the Structure of the Country’s Area

6.3. Recommendations

6.3.1. Concerning the Development of a System of Management for Natural Protected Areas

6.3.2. Priorities of scientific estimation of core areas

6.3.3. Law on Modification and Completion of some Legislative Acts (Draft)

Conclusion

References

Map of the Ecological Network

1.1. Components of Eco-Network

The Eco-Network comprises core areas, biological corridors, restoration areas and buffer zones.

Definitions are based upon generally accepted ideas, enhanced with additional characteristics, which are important for practical planning and in terms of the areas included in the Eco-Network.

Definitions.

1. Core area – an area of special value to the conservation of an ecosystem, habitats, species and landscapes. Core areas of appropriate level and functional significance can already be designated under other international systems determined by conventions and agreements to which Moldova is or will be party (RAMSAR areas, EU Habitat Directive “Natura-2000”, Emerald Network etc.).

Comments:

Completeness of function in a core area is largely determined by size, landscape diversity, number of scenic types, ecosystems encountered and the configuration of projective cover. Species diversity grows in parallel with the increase of the first three parameters. Configuration of habitats, dependent upon their size, has significant effect on species diversity, the number of species and population. The larger the area and the more diverse the conditions, lower is the risk of local extinction. Larger area also result in higher the migration activity, upholding regional biological diversity. Practical realization of the above mentioned pattern is determined by the size and mobility of organisms.

Species richness and diversity of vegetation determine species diversity of some animal taxa, although loosely related to the other characteristics. As a result, areas of little value from the point of view of vegetation can be important as habitats for some animal species.

Estimates of the importance of core areas are performed taking into consideration multi-dimensionality of hyper-niche space.

Value of a core area for geo-systemic balance can be low because of its small size, despite its importance otherwise.

2. Biological corridor – continuous or discontinuous components of an Eco-Network that ensure territorial or functional links between other components, or their inter-connection on a higher level. Physiognomic types of corridors are linear, stepping-stone and landscape.

Comments:

To some extent, the characteristics that are used for evaluating core areas are valid for biological corridors, but in terms of size, they mainly refer to width. Depending upon the degree of implementation of the conditions above, the functions of a corridor comprise those of a permanent habitat, temporary habitat, or a shelter. The corridors least acceptable as habitats, maintain their value for small-size organisms and serve as refuges for soil biota.

A specific function of a corridor is to offer migration ways for animals or propagation of plants or use of them for guiding purposes. This is important from the standpoint of defragmentation of populations and to prevent interruption of migratory pathways, relevant both to vertebrates and invertebrates. Within a corridor, the relationship of length and width is significant as an indicator of completeness of functions.

In a corridor system, the integrity of natural habitat lying outside areas of economic use is assured by protective plantations, pastures, hayfields and seeded grassy lands when these are sustainably managed and maintained.

3. Buffer zone – an area performing the function of maintaining and protecting a core area, or has special relevance to geo-systemic balance. Functional types are: protective buffer and geo-systemic buffer.
4. Geo-systemic buffer is intended for improving the ecosystem of the Eco-Network by maintaining and enhancing geo-systemic balance. Main types are area of natural development and accumulating crop plantation.
   1. Areas of natural development – natural areas that do not meet the criteria of core area and do not perform a protective function, are isolated parts of large corridors, etc.
      1. Potential natural core areas, whose value can be raised through special actions aimed at increasing functional completeness.
      2. Quite large territories of forest husbandry.
      3. Properly used pastures
      4. Recreation areas.

2. Accumulative crop plantations – croplands that improve the state of soil biota and fertility and stimulate accumulation of biological material, fostering ecosystem stability and enhancement of the other biological resources.

1. Plantations of perennial fodder-crops.
2. Rotations of medicinal and spice kitchen herbs.
3. Poly-cultures of organic agriculture.

Comment:

The role of geo-systemic buffers of the groups A.2 and B is especially important in artificial landscapes, and their use in а land-use system is the main indicator of sustainable agriculture.

5. Protective buffer –
   1. areas described as geo-systemic buffers are situated between core areas or biological corridors on one side, and agricultural or settlement areas on the other;
   2. purposely created or designated areas intended for neutralizing the effects of special economic objects (e.g., large roads, energy nodes, centres for testing genetically modified organisms).

Comment:

Protective buffers strengthen the specified elements of the Eco-Network, thus increasing optimal functionality and alleviating human impacts. Territories designated for re-naturalisation, i.e. as designated restoration areas can also be protective buffers.

6. Restoration area – a territory intended for biological and/or geo-morphological restoration (forestation, restoration of grass cover, top-soiling, land reclamation) as a future core or buffer area or a biological corridor.

Comment:

These areas have natural elements completely or partially degraded because of intensive impacts of natural and anthropogenic processes. For instance, overgrazed patches of meadow and steppe, degraded and felled forest areas, eroded cultivated lands that should be withdrawn from agricultural use.

While retaining certain qualities as habitats, they can be restored to some extent or turned to a new condition to ensure cumulative ecosystem functioning.

Under a new management plan, such areas can maintain and enhance their economic potential.

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