Iovu-Adrian BIRIȘ Adrian LORENȚ National Research and Development Institute for Forestry Marin Drăcea, Romania

Transcription

1 Specific challenges, issues and problems related to forest habitats within Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Biogeographic Regions of Romania. Practical management experiences Iovu-Adrian BIRIȘ Adrian LORENȚ National Research and Development Institute for Forestry Marin Drăcea, Romania Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions 4-6 November 2015, Arad, Romania

2 Content I. Forests within PAN, STE and BLS BGRs: an overview (with focus on oak based communities from PAN and STE biogeographical territories of the country) II. Challenges, issues and problems for each particular forest habitat III: Examples of practical management activities for forest habitat conservation (silvicultural techniques, habitat restoration works) IV. Stakeholders participation (problems in relation with stakeholders involvement, integration of N2000 and Forestry Management Plans)

3 I. Forests within PAN, STE and BLS BGRs : an overview (with focus on oak based communities from PAN and STE biogeographical territories of the country)

4 Forest distribution is not geographically uniform Forest distribution on landforms landforms Plains 6% Mountains 60% Hills and Plateaux 34% (Source: National Forest Inventory (IFN)) BGRs

5 Natura 2000 and Forests in Romania Forests in PAN, STE and BLS biogeographical territory ha (4%) of forests in PAN, STE and BLS BGRs. BGR BGR area Forests psci ha % ha % from BGR no ha % from BGR ALP CON PAN STE BLS MARINE BLS Total (BIRIŞ, I.A. & LORENŢ, A., 2013)

6 The major forest formations of Romania PAN: pedunculate oak based communities; STE: greysh oak (Q. pedunculiflora) and dawny oak (Q. pubescens) ± Turkey oak (Q. cerris) based communities. P A N STE

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8 Areas affected by drought Risks to Lymantria dispar defoliations of Romania s forests Risks to drought of Romania s forests

9 Current status and main problems of oak based habitats from PAN and STE biogeographical territory of ROU very low % of forest area in PAN, STE, BLS biogeographical regions; almost exclusively termophilous oak species based communities in PAN, STE, BLS (excepting floodplain forests); small and dispersed forest bodies (high degree of fragmentation, edge effect, missing of buffer areas); intensively managed forests ( lower % of natural forests); significant share of plantations with alochtonous species (eg. Robinia pseudacacia, poplar clones, coniferous species, etc.); forests affected by natural disturbances (insects/defoliators, diseases, drought, etc.); the silviculture of oak species is more costly and complex comparing with beech or coniferous species; difficulties in natural regeneration of oak species (reduction of oak species share); high anthropogenic pressures on forest bodies coming from adjacent territories (settlements, livestock grazing, fire wood harvesting, etc.)

10 II. Challenges, issues and problems for each particular forest habitat type in STE and PAN

11 The presence of forests habitats in the PAN, BLS and STE biogeographical regions of ROU Habitat code PAN BLS STE 91AA 91I0* 91M0 91E0* 91F0

12 II: Challenges, issues and problems for each particular forest habitat 91AA - Eastern white oak woods the assessment of conservation status H0* - Pannonian woods with Quercus pubescens

13 II: Challenges, issues and problems for each particular habitat 91AA - Eastern white oak woods (STE) Costly management and conservation measures; Clearcuttings and/or inappropriate forest management deteriorate stand structure and natural regeneration process (by reducing the proportion of pubescent oak and impeding natural regeneration and increasing the proportion of scrubs Fraxinus ornus, Prunus spinosa, Crataegus sp.); Natural regeneration problems and/or cutting without replanting favorise natural succession processes to scrub communities; Replacing/invazion of dawny oak based forests with non-native species, in the previous times (eg. Robinia pseudacacia, Pinus nigra);

14 91AA - Eastern white oak woods (STE) (continuation) Grazing by domestic animals and game; Land erosion and landslides (Dobrudja and South of Moldova); Drought/changing in temperature and precipitation regime affect seed production and quality, seed germination and trees dieback; Insects/defoliators and diseases affect the trees health and seed production; Illegal cuttings, especially for stands in the proximity of villages with poor/unemployed people and gipsy communities; Forest restitution and fragmentation of ownership. In RO, management planning is voluntary for forest properties below 10 ha according the new Forest Code; Small isolated populations which causes inbreeding. High degree of fragmentation (small areas, edge effect)

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17 II: Challenges, issues and problems for each particular habitat 91I0* - Euro-Siberian steppe woods with Quercus spp. (PAN, STE) the assessment of conservation status

18 91I0* - Euro-Siberian steppe woods with Quercus spp. (PAN, STE) Costly management and conservation measures; Inappropriate forest management deteriorate stand structure and natural regeneration process (by reducing the proportion of oak species and impeding natural regeneration and increasing the proportion of scrubs Fraxinus ornus, Acer tataricum, Prunus spinosa, Crataegus sp.); Replacing of oak based forests with non-native species (eg. Robinia pseudacacia); Grazing by domestic animals and game; Drought/changing in temperature and precipitation regime affect seed production and quality, seed germination and trees dieback ;

19 91I0* - Euro-Siberian steppe woods with Quercus spp. (PAN, STE) - (continuation) Insects/defoliators and diseases which affect the trees health and seed production; Forest restitution and fragmentation of ownership (RO). In Ro, management planning is voluntary for forest properties below 10 ha according the new Forest Code; Fragmented habitat distribution;

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21 II: Challenges, issues and problems for each particular habitat 91M0 - Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oak sessile oak forests (STE) the assessment of conservation status

22 91M0 - Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oak sessile oak forests (STE) Problems are ± similar to 91I0* Costly management and conservation measures; Inappropriate forest management deteriorate stand structure and natural regeneration process (by reducing the proportion of oak species and impeding natural regeneration and increasing the proportion of scrubs; Replacing of oak based forests with non-native species (eg. Robinia pseudacacia, black pine); Grazing by domestic animals and game; Drought/changing in temperature and precipitation regime affect seed production and quality, seed germination and trees dieback ; Insects/defoliators and diseases which affect the trees health and seed production; Forest restitution and fragmentation of ownership (RO). In Ro, management planning is voluntary for forest properties below 10 ha according the new Forest Code; Fragmented habitat distribution;

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24 II: Challenges, issues and problems for each particular habitat 91F0 - Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris) (PAN, STE) the assessment of conservation status

25 91F0 - Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris) (PAN, STE) Historical river regulation works/hydrological modifications; Lack of floods/decrease of water table as a consequence of gravel quarries/river bed erosion; Invasive plant species (mainly Amorpha fruticosa, Fraxinus pennsylvanica); Replacement of the habitat with black walnut (Juglans nigra) plantations in the floodplains; Inadequate forest management (mistakes in natural regeneration of oak, forest harvesting without replanting, ); Anthropic pressures (urbanization, human habitation); Forest restitution and fragmentation of ownership (RO). In Ro, management planning is voluntary for forest properties below 10 ha according the new Forest Code;

26 Large Island of Braila: before (A) and after (B) river regularization works. river terrace dikes Danube arm A B

27 Alochtonous tree species plantations Invasive plant species

28 III: Examples of practical management activities for forest habitat conservation (silvicultural techniques, habitat restoration works)

29 Activities and recommendations for habitats conservation based on practical experiences from: LIFE Projects: LIFE05 NAT/RO/ GREENDANUBE - Conservation and integrated management of Danube islands Romania; LIFE09 NAT/BG/ BLACK SEA OAK HABITATS - Conservation and restoration of Black Sea oak habitats; LIFE11 NAT/RO/828 - LIFE FOR MARSH - Environmental restoration and support of natural processes in the forests and eutrophic marshes from Prejmer and Hărman; European Economic Area Financial Mechanism Programme: RO02 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Stoparea extinderii speciilor invazive de plante in Parcul Natural Lunca Muresului - SESIL Specific projects aiming the forest habitats restoration in particular sites: Research and development projects financed by National Forest Administration ROMSILVA and comissioned by National Research and Development Institute for Forestry (former Forest Research and Management Institute - ICAS)

30 Management measures for conservation of the forest habitats of community interest in Natura 2000 sites (11.23/2015) - Technical report; Restoration technologies of natural stands from Southern Dobrogea forest steppa (9.2/2012) - Technical report; Restoration technologies of natural stands from Southern Dobrogea forest steppa (9.2/2012) - Technical Guidelines.

31 Practical management activities and recommendations for habitat conservation 1. oak species based habitats: 91AA, 91I0*, 91M0 (experience from: Restoration technologies of natural stands from Southern Dobrogea forest steppa (9.2/2012); BG - LIFE09 NAT/BG/000229; RO - LIFE11 NAT/RO/828). STEP 1: amending the current management plan (In Ro, the provisions of forest management plans are compulsory, any changes should be approved by the central authority for forestry);

32 Case 1: favourable site conditions, oak species is/are present in stand composition - (stand restoration) STEP 2: regenerative cuttings: groups fellings/opening of elliptical gaps in the stand (major axis = 1,5-2 H; minor axis = 1 H, major axis oriented W-E; 4-5 mature oak trees kept in each gap; distance between gaps = 3-4 H); Clear-cuttings must be banned!

33 STEP 3: removing undesirable competing vegetation/understorey herbaceous and scrub layer from gaps; STEP 4: Soil preparation for planting acorns and saplings (manualy and mechanised);

34 STEP 5: care of the existing seedlings from natural regeneration (if the case); STEP 6: planting acorns and/or saplings (manualy and mechanised)

35 STEP 7: protecting the regeneration/plantations against browsing / grazing; STEP 8: Care of the seedlings during the next growing sezons. STEP 9: fellings for gaps enlargement and final/removal felling

36 Case 2: poor site conditions, low productive, low density stands, oak species replaced by secondary species (Carpinus orientalis, Tilia tomentosa, scrubs) stand substitution: STEP 2: regenerative cuttings: strips fellings/opening of strips in the stand oriented W-E or along contour line on slopes (1,5-2 H broad; cannopy cover reduced to ; distance between strips = 3-4 H);

37 STEP 3: removing the graminoid layer and undesirable competing vegetation/understorey mechanised or/and chemical; STEP 4: Soil preparation in stripes of 2.5 m width; STEPS: 5, 6, 7, 8: similar to previous case. STEP 9: repeating of fellings in second strip cut (when first strip cut is completely regenerated)

38 Case 3: oak species is/are not present in stand composition (plantations with alochtonous tree species, secondary stands) stand substitution: STEP 2: removal of alochtonous tree plantations progressively to allow natural regeneration of oak - groups fellings or uniform fellings; Clearcuts are not recommended! Excepting black locust plantations, when clearcuts on small felling areas ( 1 ha) should be used

39 STEP 3: removal of sprouts and invazive species by mechanical or/and chemical methods (sprouts spraying, stumps treatement, etc.)

40 STEPS: 4, 5, 6...: similar to previous case.

41 2. Riparian mixed hardwood forests habitat: 91F0 (experience from: RO - LIFE05 NAT/RO/000176; LIFE06 NAT/RO/000177; Management measures for conservation of the forest habitats of community interest in Natura 2000 sites (11.23/2015)): amending the current management plan (In Ro, the provisions of forest management plans are compulsory, any changes should be approved by the central authority for forestry); ensuring natural water regime by re-flooding the area; applying regeneration cuttings by opening gaps (group shelterwood forest system); creating favorable conditions for oak regeneration (removing understorey herbaceous and scrub layers); planting oak seedlings and maintaining the existing/advanced seedlings of accompanying species; weeding, removing of shoots; Controling of invasive plant species; enclosing against browsing/grazing; appropriate silvicultural activities;

42 IV. Stakeholders participation (problems in relation with stakeholders involvement, integration of N2000 and Forestry Management Plans)

43 Problems in relation with stakeholders involvement in forest habitats management lack of knowledge of forest owners and/or administrators regarding the conservation; lack of/or weak availability for cooperation among stakeholders. lack of technical education/ knowledge and training concerning forest management and conservation needs among forest owners; negative attitude of forest owners and/or administrators concerning the need of conservation of their forest area; divergent positions/expectations of forest/land owners and Natura 2000 administrators/custodians related to forest habitat; Low interest of some local authorities concerning Natura 2000; Lack of instruments/mechanism or too burocratic instruments to stimulate the involvement of land/forest owners in conservation projects/activities; lack of funds for management and conservation for small forest owners; missing of approved management plans for Natura 2000 sites; conflicting provisions in forest and nature conservation legislation/unharmonized requirements between forest and nature conservation legislation (eg. Wildlife vs forestry, biodiversity vs Forestry, agriculture vs forestry);

44 Actions and opportunities for forest habitats conservation learned from practical experience Land owners: should be involved at every stage of the process (from the very planning phase, i.e. the restoration project should be developed together); must be permanently informed of the issues observed, actions initiated etc. provide access to information/knowledge and training; funding instruments for forest habitat management and conservation (subsidies, compensations for forest owners, tax dispensation etc.) Natura 2000 sites administrators/custodians: Educate the youngsters!; Practice with students!; Gain the support of authorities!. Promote active citizenship-work with volunteers; Establishing longer/medium term management agreement with land owners and/or local authorities.

45 National level (government and policy-makers): harmonize nature protection with forest laws and regulations; capacity building for being able to approach the management of forests from an integrated perspective (not a purely forestry or a purely conservationist one); should do continuous, sustained assessment and evaluation of the conservation status of forest habitats as a whole (not just assess the forest from a typical forestry point of view, which focuses mostly on the trees as source of wood); provide adequate instruments for all stakeholders for supporting nature conservation; arise awareness of stakeholders concerning nature conservation; adapt forestry activities/operations to nature requirements; provide compensation measures/payments for conservation activities; ensure law enforcement; communication platforms regarding forestry issues should be set up at national level specific legislation should be developed and incentives provided to encourage the protection of privately-owned forests (in agreement with the land stewardship concept); land owners and specialized organizations/institutions, but also representatives of local communities should be involved (as stakeholders) in the development of forestry plans at all stages.

46 Thank you!