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

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

Two basic concepts related to building-up Eco-Network exist in Moldova. The firsts one has been developed at Institute of Zoology, Moldavian Academy of Sciences (MAS) under the title of "Biocoenotic Oases", the second one in Institute of Institute of Geography of MAS being termed as "ecological framework".

The supporting data and some key positions of the former direction are given in the paper "Fauna of Biocoenotic Oases and its practical significance" (Фауна биоценотических, 1990). Ecological (in its classical interpretation) principles pertaining to the problem were analysed by A. Munteanu and A. Andreev (Мунтяну и Андреев, 1989, 1990). This direction is originally related to the ideas on the value of "wild" habitats interspersed among cultivated lands. It is the network of the strip and "stepping stones" oases that maintain biodiversity most appropriately in agriculturally deficient landscapes.

It was assumed that protective forest belts and remnants of natural habitats interspersed in agricultural landscapes would be integrated into a unified network with protected areas and other large forest ranges. Huge value was put on protective forest belts both in terms of agronomy and their functions as biological corridors. Zoological criteria were for the spatial structure and vegetation composition of artificial corridor elements of the Eco-Network (Андреев и др., 1989), and partially comprising botanical and agro-ecological aspects, were found some related patterns (Andreev et al., 1993).

It should be emphasised that the concept of biocoenotic oases implicitly states the idea of reconciling the interests of agriculture with needs of nature protection on the basis of common approaches. On the other hand, much hope was pinned on withdrawing unproductive degraded lands, which could be used both for re-forestation and for restoring herbaceous biocoenosa, from agricultural use. In current economic social and political circumstances, this hope should be postponed or given up.

The concept of the Eco-Network was completely adapted to the current conditions of Moldova (Андреев, 1998). Comparison of its different components was made against the background of different socio-economic conditions and practical development of the concept for a local fragment of the Eco-Network (area of the Lower Nistru). (Андреев, Горбуненко, 1999). It should be mentioned that in the latter case, the approach applied is based on direct estimates of habitats, this being the major difference between unimplemented concept of "biocoenotic oases" and a newer, but implemented one - "Eco-Network".

It was highlighted that in territorial terms, the areas to be selected should prevent further fragmentation and, at the same time, already be protected by similar legislation. Above all, these are constraints imposed on agriculture in relation to the protection of water bodies (the combination of characteristics justified the tracing of an extremely important corridor along the Dniester River). Attempts to decrease the existing degree of fragmentation in the network of biodiversity can be achieved at the expense of the lands, which, due to economic realities are withdrawn from agricultural use at present. At high population density such areas are scarce, but they exist. It was stated that surveys and formal processes should be spurred, thus ensuring expansion of the network of proper protected areas to meet commitments taken by Moldova or to follow the current priorities of European Union.

The concept of an ecological framework, developed in the framework of the programme "Territorial Complex Scheme of Nature Protection" in 1991, was formulated as the idea for forming a system of areas in Moldova able to maintain ecological equilibrium. Ensuring ecological stability of an area and sustainable use of natural resources is possible only in the case of regulated and auto-regulated ecosystems, i.e. ecological equilibrium in terms of area management. According to N.F. Reimers, ecological equilibrium of an area is defined as the proportion between extensively and intensively managed areas and natural complexes, which ensure stability of ecological balance in large territories on the whole. Ecological equilibrium is safeguarded by the ecological framework of a territory (EFT), which presents a major element of ecological planning.

EFT is defined as a complex of the crucial environment regulating and generating ecosystems (landscapes), interconnected in a network ensuring stable development of an area, its ecological efficiency and maintaining diversity of natural complexes. Adequate efficiency and stability of natural complexes depend on the degree of its territorial preservation. Quantitative indices of ecological equilibrium determine maximum acceptable degree of human transformation and indirectly characterize relative stability of landscapes. Developing the scheme of ecological equilibrium allows an approach to resolving the problem of area development in two ways:

1. justifying the structure of restricted use and the structure of area with limited and barred economic activities;
2. setting a foundation for permission concerning exploitation of natural resource potential, taking into consideration an admissible level of human transformation of landscapes, in the rest of the area.

The ecological framework was intended to comprise all protected areas, water protection strips, protective forest belts, shelterbelts along large roads and green belts around settlements. The idea relies on the concept of "geo-systemic balance" and to this end it is broader than the concept of Eco-Network, though comprising its elements. For the same reason, this approach, based on a direct estimate of habitats from the standpoint of conservation of the components of biodiversity, as well as the task for their conservation, were not the most important.

This concept, partially enhanced with the idea of "biocoenotic analyses" was used in the National Report on the State of Biodiversity in the Republic of Moldova.

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