Anna-Mária Csergő

Biodiversity Inventory, Sustainable Conservation and Establishment of a New Nature Reserve in Harghita Mountains (Eastern Romanian Carpathians, Harghita County), Romania

Eriophorum vaginatum in the Szoko Peatbog, Harghita Mountains.

Winter landscape.

Town/RegionCountryCategoriesDate
Harghita MountainsRomaniaEurope, Forests2 Aug 2007

Harghita Mountains belong to the volcanic chain of Eastern Romanian Carpathians, which was active during the late Tertiary period. It is build by around 10 volcanic cones, among which Harghita-Cone is encircled by the highest peaks of the mountain range (Hegyes-kő – 1570 m, Mihály-Havas 1685 m, Madarasi-Hargita – 1800 m, Rákosi-Hargita – 1757 m, Madéfalvi-Hargita – 1710 m, Csicsói-Hargita – 1759 m). The landscape is dominated continuous Picea abies forests, but the local geomorphology of the inner and outer sides of the former crater allowed the development of several spring-fens, raised-bogs, rich-fens and an aapa-fen type, extremely fragile habitats that are very important from conservational point of view. One of the largest peatland is the Szökő Láp (Szökő Peatland) under the peak of Madarasi-Hargita.There grows populations of several rare and protected plant species, like Carex limosa, Comarum palustre, Dactylorhiza cordigera ssp. siculorum, Drosera rotundifolia, Listera cordata, Menyanthes trifoliata, Paludella squarrosa, Pinguicula vulgaris, Pseudorchis albida etc. Raised bogs are characterised by tussocks of Sphagnum species, on which small shrubs of Empetrum nigrum, Eriophorum vaginatum, Oxycoccos microcarpum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea established, creating a specific landscape.

Unfortunately, several of these habitats are unknown to scientific and nature protection community. Moreover, recent retrocedation of lands draw serious problems regarding effective protection of these habitats. Anticipating their degradation due to lack of informations and consequently improper land use, the main activities of the project are as follows:

- complex research within the area (biodiversity investigations, land use informations)
- steps to grant the protected area status
- collaboration with local stakeholders and land owners for its correct management
- raising public awareness

Harghita Mountains are also called “the saint mountain” of seklers (the local people) and are visited annually by thousands of tourists from home and abroad, attracted by its beautiful landscape and continuous spruce forests, home to one of the largest population of bears and wolves from Romania. The establishment of a nature reserve in this area offers a good opportunity to raise public awareness regarding the unique natural values of Romania.

For more information contact kankalinka@yahoo.com

Project Update: August - December 2007

During this period, the team has taken the following actions:

• Two botanical field surveys during which we have identified the protected, endemic and phytogeographically important plant species, the habitat types and the plant communities;

• Discussions with several people and public authorities from Odorheiu Secuiesc, during which we were able to identify 4 land owners. One of them is the major holder of the Szökő Peatbog;

• Preparation of a database of all plant species identified so far in the field. 30 moss, 85 higher plant and 1 animal species were registered and stored in a database;

• Elaboration of protected area proposal documents in undergoing. A scientific description of the Szökő Peatbog has been prepared. Boundaries of the protected area have been established and featured on different types of maps and aerial photos;

• Agora NGO has participated to a number of 4 public presentations organized by UFF (Forum of Young People from Odorheiu Secuiesc). During these presentations, participants have been informed about the importance of the conservation of the natural values of Szökő Peatbog;

• Endangered plant populations size and habitat conservation state was registered and will constitute the base for further monitoring activities.

Project Update: April 2008

During January-February 2008, they have prepared the webpage of the Szoko Peatbog. Please visit it at the following address:

http://www.szokolap.green-agora.ro/

Their data on the biodiversity of the Szoko Peatbog have been published in a scientific paper, among other new and interesting floristic data from Szeklerland. It can be downloaded from the following address:

http://columbia.nyme.hu/~novenytan/novtan/florapannonica/eng/frame_eng.htm

They have visited the site during winter, and prepared a list of winter visitor bird species.

As the National Forestry of Romania has split in several private forestries, they have had difficulties in obtaining forestry maps, needed for the scientific documentation of the protected area. With the help of the Environmental Protection Agency of Harghita County, they have obtained the administrative map of the peatbog, which is important to identify the stakeholders of the area.

Final Report

Read about the activities undertaken and findings of this project in the final report below.

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Detailed Final Report1.19 MB

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