National strategy and Action plan for biodiversity conservation 2014–2020.

This publication contains the full text of the Romanian National strategy and Action plan for biodiversity conservation for the period from the year 2014 until 2020, as in accordance with relevant international conventions, and aligned with European Union legislation and policies. The text is structured into six main Chapters, each containing different thematic under-sections: Chapter 1 – Introduction (Biodiversity and importance of its conservation; Objectives and principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity; Policy and Strategy of the European Union on biodiversity conservation; National policy on biodiversity conservation; Strategies and action plans for Romanian biodiversity conservation); Chapter 2 – Romanian biodiversity (Diversity of natural and semi-natural ecosystems and habitats; Diversity of species; Genetic diversity); Chapter 3 – Direct threats on Romanian biodiversity (Conversion of lands; Infrastructure development; Extension and development of human settlements; Hydro-technical works; Over-exploitation of natural resources; Inadequate exploitation of non-renewable resources; Invasive species; Climate changes; Pollution); Chapter 4 – National strategy of biodiversity conservation (a part of text which sets specific strategic objectives: A. Development of general legislative and institutional framework and ensuring financial resources; B. Ensuring coherence and efficient management of the national network of natural protected areas; Ensuring a favourable conservation state for protected species; D. Sustainable use of biological diversity components, which includes land development; forest management; wild species with economic value; agriculture; tourism; transport, energy and exploitation of non-renewable resources; ex-situ conservation; control of invasive species; access to genetic resources and fair distribution of benefits arising from the use of these resources; Support and promotion of knowledge, traditional practices and innovations; Scientific research development and promotion of technology transfer; Communication, education and public awareness; Chapter 5 – National action plan for biodiversity conservation; Chapter 6 – Implementation, responsible authorities, necessary financial resources and reporting indicators.
In order to implement the EU strategy on biodiversity conservation, the Action plan was established, with the following priority objectives: Objective 1. Maintenance of diversity of ecosystems, habitats and biomes inside protected areas Objective 2. Maintenance of specific diversity by: 2.1 Reducing the decline, restoration and maintenance of conservation state of populations belonging to protected species 2.2 Improving the statute of endangered species. Objective 3. Maintenance of genetic diversity by: 3.1 Genetic diversity conservation of culture plants, domestic animals, species with economic importance, as well as the maintenance of use traditions of local communities. Objective 4. Reduction of pressures due to changing the destination of lands and which lead to the loss of natural and semi-natural habitats Objective 5. Limitation of negative impact of invasive species Objective 6. Halting unsustainable exploitations by: 6.1 Sustainable exploitation of biodiversity components used in natural condition or as derived products 6.2 Management of production areas according to the requirements for biodiversity conservation. 6.3 Prohibition at international level of trade with endangered flora and fauna species. Objective 7. Reduction of pressures due to climate changes, pollution and soil erosion. Objective 8. Maintenance of the capacity of ecosystems to provide ecological goods and services and to function as life support system by: 8.1 Maintaining the support capacity of ecosystems. 8.2 Halting the decline of biological resources, traditional knowledge of local communities, techniques and practices that allow the sustainable exploitation and food safety. Objective 9. Assurance of correct and fair distribution of benefits resulted from the use of genetic resources.
Forest ecosystems, grasslands, ecosystems of fresh and brackish water, maritime and coastal ecosystems, underground ecosystems, natural and semi-natural habitats are all topics analyzed and included in this Biodiversity National strategy and Action. The natural and semi-natural ecosystems represent approximately 47% of the country area, 45% is represented by agricultural ecosystems, the rest of 8% being represented by constructions and infrastructure. The major categories of types of ecosystems analyzed are the following: forest ecosystems, ecosystems of grasslands, ecosystems of fresh water and brackish water, maritime and coastal ecosystems and underground ecosystems. This text identifies the following general action directions: Action direction 1: Stopping the decline of biological diversity represented by the genetic resources, species, ecosystems and landscape and recovery of the degraded systems until 2020. Action direction 2: Integration of the policies on biodiversity conservation in all sectoral policies until 2020. Action direction 3: Promoting the traditional innovative methods, practices and knowledge and the clean technologies as support measures for the biodiversity conservation as support of sustainable development until 2020. Action direction 4: Improving the communication and education in the field of biodiversity until 2020.