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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Located near the Carpathian Mountains, the Black Sea, and the East-European Plain, the Republic of Moldova is a small East European country. The three main biogeographical subdivisions, the Central-European leafy forests, the Mediterranean forest steppe, and the Euro-Asiatic steppe, provide conditions for high-level biodiversity. The steppe zone biodiversity has been more affected by human activities than the forest zone biodiversity located in the central and northern parts, leading to a non-uniform distribution of biodiversity. Agricultural lands cover around 75% of the country. In addition, there are 484 rare plant and animal species protected by the State, 242 of which have been included in the Red Book. Recently, the surface of protected areas has considerably increased and now covers 1,96% of the country.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The overall goal of the Strategy is the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity and landscapes in order to ensure social and economic sustainable development of the Republic of Moldova. The Strategy also includes particular goals, strategy objectives, main directions of biodiversity conservation activity, biodiversity conservation strategy components, principles of biodiversity conservation, and terms of strategy implementation. Furthermore, the document comprises eleven action plans, which start with the General Action Plan on biodiversity conservation, and continue with the action plans on: creating the National Ecological Network; the protection of forest ecosystems; the protection of steppe ecosystem; the protection of meadow ecosystem; the protection of petrophyte ecosystem; the protection of aquatic and paludous ecosystems; the protection of agricultural ecosystems biodiversity; the protection of biodiversity in urban ecosystems; species protection; and biodiversity conservation outside natural habitats.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan on national website (English)

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

The Republic of Moldova is committed to extend the natural protected areas to 2,36% of the territory by 2015. A list of the plant and animal species of international and national importance has been elaborated. In this regard, the NBSAP provides measures for the protection of endangered species. In fact, the country states that its NBSAP comprises several elements in relation with the 2010 target. Conservation of genetic diversity of spontaneous species and wild animals is ensured through scientific reserves, as well as zoological and botanical gardens. Legislation exists to regulate such human activities as hunting and fishing. Also, national programmes have been elaborated to combat alien species, notably in the agricultural sector. In addition, traditional knowledge and practices are protected through traditional agriculture. For example, the Programme of viticulture for the years 2002-2020 is currently being implemented.

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Regarding this issue, the Government has approved programs and plans aiming at the rehabilitation and conservation of specific sites. For example, the plans include the elaboration of measures for forest rehabilitation. Research is underway to prepare recommendations on the development of the National Ecological Network. Furthermore, areas that have specific scientific values shall be included. Some actions have been undertaken to include inland waters as protected areas.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

The Republic of Moldova has signed the Aarhus Convention on access to information, justice and public participation in the decision-making process with regards to the environment. The country states that women are the most interested group of citizen and that they are directly involved in the process. In addition, the NBSAP mentions provisions related to the active participation of indigenous and local communities. For example, seminars have taken place concerning the establishment of the National Park “Nistrul de Jos” and the ecological network in Middle Prut River. Also, the importance of media such as radio, television and various publications for the effective dissemination of environmental information is underlined in the Third National Report.