PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The project area in the Southern Carpathians consists of five Natura 2000 network sites within one of Europe's largest contiguous areas of high nature value forests (estimated over 7 000 ha virgin forests). This area has healthy populations of large carnivore species (ca. 500 bears, 150 wolves, 100 lynx), a small population of golden eagle, a formerly good but rapidly declining population of capercaillie, and significant populations of birds and insects, all native to central European mountain forests. This area is increasingly under threat, due to virgin forests being logged, overgrazing of the alpine grasslands, a lack of good wildlife management, and destructive development projects. Historically, farming communities from the surrounding villages have used the area as a source of timber, game, and grazing. Low-intensity forestry and logging during communist times maintained functional forest ecosystems, with many of them untouched on steep slopes. With the end of communism in 1990, pressures increased significantly, particularly due to change in forest ownership, reduced control over forest exploitation activities, trophy hunting, poaching, overgrazing in certain areas, and the disappearance of traditional livelihoods.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the LIFE CARPATHIA project is to save at least 2 000 ha of natural forests in the Fagaras Mountains in the Southern Carpathian Mountains, Romania, through land purchase and conservation agreements, to protect virgin forests in Natura 2000 network sites. This will also enhance habitat conditions for species strongly dependent on natural forests, such as western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), red-breasted flycatcher (Ficedula parva), and the Alpine longhorn beetle (Rosalia alpina).
Specifically, the project aims to:
accelerate re-wilding processes by purchasing and restoring 500 ha of clear-felled areas by replanting native tree species, purchasing and initiating the conversion of 500 ha of spruce monocultures into natural forests, purchasing and restoring 300 ha of alpine habitats, and reintroducing key mammal species, such as European bison (Bison bonasus) and Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). Habitat conditions for a variety of bird species, including Ural owl (Strix uralensis), white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) and hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia), will consequently improve; create a model of human-wildlife coexistence on ca. 80 000 ha by replacing trophy hunting with a system of damage prevention, rapid intervention for direct conflict mitigation, and innovative compensation measures. This model should restore and securehealthy populations of brown bear (Ursus arctos), wolf (Canis lupus), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and their prey species; foster the ecological integrity of the Fagaras Mountains by removing at least 50% of all riparian invasive species from two mountain valleys, and by implementing active conservation measures for Habitats and Birds directive listed species, such as golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and their prey species; develop a new economy based on conservation, which combines local economic development and job creation with the long-term conservation goals of the Fagaras Mountains; and raise public awareness for conservation and build positive relationships with local communities to achieve conservation through Natura 2000 sites. The project contributes to the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020, the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive, and the success of the Natura 2000 network.
The project complies with the Common Agricultural Policy by promoting carnivore-friendly agricultural practices and supporting "biodiversity and the preservation and development of 'natural' farming and traditional agricultural landscapes".
The project will also contribute to the implementation of national policy with respect to Natura 2000, natural protected areas, species and habitats conservative management, forestry, and rural development.
RESULTS
Expected results:
at least 2 000 ha of natural forests (with at least 1 000 ha Acidophilous Picea forests of the montane to alpine level with Vaccinium sp. and at least 600 ha Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests Habitats Directive habitat types) purchased and protected by FCC or under agreement for conservation with compensation payments agreed; two large and at least five small tree nurseries established and production of at least 500 000 saplings; at least 1 300 ha of degraded forest habitats and alpine areas containing target habitat types purchased and restored; a total of 75 bison and 90 beaver released into three distinct valleys to re-establish populations; a model wildlife monitoring and management system with a non-hunting policy to be established on 80000 ha, with conflict-mitigation measures decreasing wildlife-human conflicts by at least 20%, livestock predation by large carnivores decreased at least by 25%, and acceptance level scores toward bison and beavers increased by 20%; an analysis of the ecological status of selected listed species and the presence of ecological corridors to identify conservation and restoration areas on about 200 000 ha; At least 50% of the invasive alien plant species to be removed from two mountain valleys; The situation of golden eagles and their prey species (capercaillie and marmot) is better understood habitat conditions improved on at least 1 000 ha;Creation of a minimum of 10 nature-based enterprises, employing over 50 people; Local communities engaged in establishing the Fagaras National Park.
