Development of a pilot wetlands area to protect biodiversity in the southern basin of Prut river

摘要

The issue of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in the catchment of Prut has both environmental and geopolitical implications due to the geographic position. This paper summarizes a large amount of information which constitutes the basis of documenting a report aimed at arranging a pilot wetlands area to protect biodiversity in the southern basin of Prut river. Premises are represented by the natural elements that support the development of sub-basin Horincea as pilot wetland basin in the Lower Prut sector (the conditions of relief, climate and hydrological features, flora and fauna composition, focusing on ichtyofauna). The advantages and threats regarding the development of these wetlands are presented based on legislative criteria as well as from the point of view of the exploitation of natural resources in this basin. There are presented both tehnical and institutional solutions. The institutional decision makers are identified as the two relevant ministries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Environment and Forests), two national companies (Romanian Waters National Company and Romsilva National Company) and entities within the general jurisdiction of the local authorities. The responsibilities of each of the above and the types of action required to fulfil the objective are presented further in this paper.