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

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

Biological corridors

Corridors at the international level comprising corridors that include core areas and, at the same time, pass through the country along the entire length in at least one direction and providing territorial and functional unity of the national and Pan-European Ecological Network.

Comment:

Width of an international corridor passing through the area of Moldova should constitute at least 500m. along its main length, including the core corridor of around 200m. and a buffer zone. If a corridor runs along the state border, its width within Moldova should be 250m., of which the core corridor covers 100m., excluding the width of watercourses inside the corridor. In case of a meandering watercourse, the inner border of the corridor should be taken as the line.

If a core corridor is wider than a riverbank water-protection strip, it can comprise areas used for economic activities or under settlement. For such cases, a special obligatory procedure should be set for territorial management at local level, enforced by law.

Where a required core corridor cannot be established outside an agricultural area, it would become subject to a special management scheme comprising preferential taxation and supplementary payment according to proposed new legislation. A special scheme would therefore (a) compensate for economic losses and (b) stimulate efficient and sustainable economic activity.

Buying-out these areas is recommended if special procedures are not possible under private land ownership.
To ensure unity of these corridors, withdrawing restoration areas from economic use presents a first-step action, as well as forestation (if the corridors are intended to be in the framework ecosystem restoration measures) or the initiation of restorative procedures for herbaceous ecosystems.

Corridors of national level include those, which pass through or along significant stretches of one or more possible directions ensuring territorial and functional unity of the national Eco-Network.

Comment:

National corridors include core and buffer areas.

To ensure unity of such corridors, withdrawal of restoration areas from economical activity should be performed as a first stage, as well as forestation (if they are intended in the framework of measures for ecosystem restoration) or the initiation of restorative procedures for herbaceous ecosystems.

Systems of protective forest belts and dendrological parks, listed in the Fund Natural Areas, as well as water-protection banks of small rivers and, if possible, their protective zones, are included in the structure of national corridors.

Corridors of the local level comprise those that ensure territorial and functional unity of the Eco-Network at the local level through inter-connecting core, buffer and restoration areas.

Comment:

To designate and establish local corridors, withdrawal of restoration areas from economical use, or application of restorative procedures in the framework of established land use may need to be made.

Local corridors can be established on the basis of water-protection zones and banks of water bodies, rivers, lakes, etc.

Protective plantations, existing or projected in the land use system, are included within local corridor structures.

Buffer areas

Ranking of buffer areas (geo-systemic buffers) takes into account their contribution to geo-systemic balance. At the present stage of Eco-Network planning, the following levels have been designated: national, bio-zonal and local, in accordance with the scale of network implementation and assigned at the following levels:

1. 1000 -3500ha. - national,
2. 300 - 999ha. – bio-zonal,
3. 50 - 299ha. - local.

Areas that have not been given core area status, between 25 and 49ha., where species listed in the Red Data List of Moldova or the Operational Checklist grow or regularly occur, are considered as local buffers.

Comment:

During the development of an Eco-Network, geo-systemic buffers can be detailed in accordance with their physiognomic-functional types, on the basis of survey.

FSPNA areas left outside the core areas of the Eco-Network after estimation can be brought into geo-systemic buffers in accordance with size classification, raising the level by one unit, if they hold species contained in the Operational and Red Data lists.

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