Activities

Means and actions:

ROSCI0129 site Gorj North West include biological and ecological diversity, which contains 6 types of ecosystems – forests (forests and bushes), meadows, saxicole, water (water sheen) river and caves.

ROSCI0129 site Gorj North West is one of the few sites with a high biodiversity. Unfortunately, parts of this area are already degraded or destroyed. Lack of targeted habitat management activities have resulted in the degradation and loss of natural habitats with high ecological value.

Key actions are:

– Restoration of habitat 4070 * – Pinus mugo and Rhododron myrtifolium action consists in planting of Pinus mugo in the area destroyed by inappropriate management of pastures. The method is successfully used in other protected areas (national parks).

– Restoration of damaged forest – habitat 9260 – Castanea sativa, the action is based on the European experience in developing and implementing biological control of chestnut affected by a fungus from Asia – Cryphonectria parasitica. Chemical control of the fungus is not effective and hybridization with resistant Asian chestnut species is not permitted in protected habitats, the only effective method being biological control. European study field trials have demonstrated the efficacy of measures consisting of complex integrated biological and silvic control. This method consists of applying a virulent cancer treatment – an experimental biological product (based on local virus strains infecting mycelium hipovirulent CHV1), coupled with hygiene and cultural operations. After treatment following cancer healing, whole chestnut forests are expected to recover. Chestnut habitat restoration is based on biological control for 60 ha chestnut severely affected by cancer. In parallel, forestry operations are executed in the same area, in order to reduce infection and increase resistance chestnut.

Reconstruction of Castanea sativa habitat area of 25 ha where Cryphonectria parasitica infections have compromised the entire surface of Castanea sativa habitat consists in planting area of 25 ha (after cutting ancient forest) using chestnut saplings nursery production created the project.

– Development of adequate infrastructure protection and control tourism in order to mitigate / eliminate the negative impact of mass tourism and uncontrolled grazing. For these reasons two information points will be developed, located on the two valleys that will restore habitats in this project. Trails will be marked and will be developed in appropriate camping areas.

– Raising awareness through public participation in nature protection in the decision-making process and the preservation of habitats of Community importance will be enhanced by many events and meetings held during project implementation (chestnut festival and roundtables with broad participation of the local community and tourists) will be held annually.