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

5. Main Actions Concerning National Eco-Network of Moldova

The National Ecological Network of Moldova (NEMN) offers a unifying component to the National Strategy of Sustainable Development, National Strategy and Action Plan for the Protection of Biological Diversity, National Programme of Actions on Combating Desertification, and other measures to moderate climate change.

Establishing NENM is a major initiative related to national obligations as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on the Protection of Wild Flora and Fauna and Natural Habitats in Europe, including the Emerald Network (Bern Convention), the Convention on Wetland Areas of International Importance as Wildfowl Habitats (RAMSAR Convention) and Convention on Migratory Species and Wild Animals (Bonn Convention).

Establishing NENM presents the main act concerning the implementation of the plans of Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, to which Moldova is party. Establishing NENM in Moldova meets the Action Plan of the 2001-2010 Strategy.

Activities of primary importance to build-up NENM are listed in the Law on the improvement of degraded areas by forestation and the Law on water-protection areas, rivers and water bodies, etc.

5.1. URGENT PRACTICAL MEASURES

1. Cartographical delineation of restoration areas according to administrative and juridical divisions.
2. Delimitation of restoration areas necessary for ensuring unity of the major elements of NENM, according to international and national criteria.
3. Identification of critically degraded areas that should be urgently designated for restoration, outside the biological corridors of international and national level.
4. Administrative instruments channelled towards the designation of restoration areas, ensuring unity of NENM at international and national levels.
5. Determination of land management practises in restoration areas designated for ensuring the integrity of NENM at international and national levels.
6. An urgent programme to develop new forestation schemes in restoration areas and in designated biological corridors.
7. Development of a target programme for the State Forest Service to introduce restorative land management (complete or partial forestation, bush or special corridor plantations etc.) in designated restoration areas to ensure integrity of the main elements of NENM.
8. Development of norms for pasture use in the framework of a state programme.
9. Implementation of recommendations for pasture use as part of area management actions.

5.2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

10. Developing and adopting a Law on the National Ecological Network of Moldova to ensure its creation, efficiency and legal protection within and outside the scope of present legislation.
11. Amendments to the Law on the Fund of State-protected Natural Areas (FSPNA), aimed at clearer delineation of their territorial organisation, ensuring conditions for efficient management, establishing protected area classifications (new to Moldova) and approaches to their functioning within a new legal framework of land use and ownership.
12. Amendments to legal documents stating rights, duties and responsibilities of local authorities concerning environmentally sound land management in relation to FSPNA and NENM.
13. Legal stipulation of responsibilities and obligations of land-users and their associates in relation to maintaining territorial objects that stabilise environment.
14. International registration of the objects of FSPNA and the Eco-Network.
15. Re-enforce the legal framework supporting FSPNA and NENM by economic means (use of relevant trademarks and tools for publicity, directed towards the export), etc.

5.3. APPLIED SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT

16. Performing surveys for rapid estimation of natural areas protected by the state, or should be protected, in accordance with priorities (Table 1).
17. Developing Temporary Methodological Guidelines for applying NENM criteria in the framework of the programme for rapid estimate of natural areas and biological monitoring.
18. Carrying out a survey of natural and other landscapes for classification, including an estimate of their contribution to geo-systemic balance using measurable indicators.
19. Classification of landscapes using measurable indicators of degradation.
20. Developing an Operational Checklist of Threatened Ecosystems.
21. Estimate the completeness of the functions of FSPNA and the other designated elements of NENM in relation to the maintenance of threatened species (listed in the Red Data List of Moldova and the Operational Checklists, or in the lists of Bonn Convention and Afro-Eurasian Agreement).
22. Developing structure and establishing a Geo-informational system, “Ecological Network of Moldova”, compatible with similar European systems, as well as Moldavian informational systems.
23. Developing a structure for a database of biological information as the basis of the FSPNA Cadastre (section “Biodiversity” in the process of environment monitoring in Moldova) and GIS “NENM”.
24. Developing Eco-Network at bio-zonal and local levels.
25. Developing a concept for the Red Data List and preparing a new edition.
26. Biogeographical assessment of Moldova on the basis of accepted phyto- and zoogeographical categories using model taxa.
27. Undertaking landscape-biogeographical zoning of Moldova.
28. Developing a scientific basis and system to apply weighed indices of species richness and diversity, based on selective and non-selective data, in order to estimate the objects of FPSNA and NENM and monitoring biological diversity.
29. Developing a system of ecological monitoring of the components of FPSNA and NENM.
30. Developing Methodological Guidelines to apply a system of criteria to estimate FSPNA and NENM components and to monitor biological diversity, as well as in the Cadastres (taking into consideration the need to adapt to the educational level of users).
31. Agreeing Operational checklists, intended for the use at the scale of biogeographical regions of Eastern Europe.
32. Developing recommendation for sustainable use of nature, related to agriculture, primarily with agro-melioration, use of pastures and hay lands.
33. Developing methodological guidelines for environmentally sound land-use (organic agriculture).

5.4. DEFINITION OF TAXATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE STATE POLICY,
DIRECTED AT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

34. Introducing land use plans based upon economic factors, irrespective of type of property including publicly owned lands.
35. Developing a simple primary system of non-exhaustive (sustainable) use of agricultural and forest areas for monitoring, with the purpose of applying taxation instruments.
36. Introduce into the tax system tools (mechanisms, incentives) for maintaining environmental security in terms of non-exploitation of areas used in agriculture and forestry.
37. Setting-up juridical instruments to give protected status to private lands, based on voluntary agreement to respect measures for nature conservation without compensation or through tax incentives, as well as encouraging the use of technologies and crops that promote or maintain biodiversity.
38. Implementing tax and administrative instruments in order that local authorities and communities transfer degraded areas for restoration, or to change land-use, in order to observe the Law on National Ecological Network of Moldova as well as the Law on Improvement of Degraded Areas through re-forestation.
39. Establishing a fund of environmentally sound land-use to promote organic farming (attracting investments from abroad).
40. Creating possibilities for sustainable use at public lands not earmarked for privatisation.

5.5. INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ESTABLISHING NENM

41. Ensuring public and NGO participation in publicizing the Concept of Eco-Network, planning and running local and national events.
42. International co-operation for fund-raising and ensuring harmonious integration of the National Eco-Network of Moldova into the Pan-European Eco-Network through consultation and public hearings.
43. At the legislative level, determine the duty of public authorities in the implementation of the Concept of Eco-Network, in relation to public access to information on land management plans, documents, including normative acts that pertain to the state, establishment and restoration of the elements of the National Ecosystem of Moldova.

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