BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

In the early 90s the department experts have been involved in local projects especially related to biodiversity inventory and monitoring, and the assessment of natural resources and landscape from Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and surrounding areas. The results of these projects played a particularly important role as scientific support of the first management plan for Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (1995) and its updated versions. Since 1997, the department has expanded its range of activities, developing both regional projects focused on the provision of data and studies necessary for the scientific substantiation of the RBDD management plan, as well as projects in the protected areas located along the Lower Danube and national projects focused on identifying wetlands that meet RAMSAR criteria. Due to the team’s diversity, activity and accumulated experience, in 2003 this team has the role of coordinating at the national level the activities aimed at the collection, analysis and processing of data on wild species and natural habitats in order to ensure the appropriate scientific foundation in order to designate the network of sites of community interest NATURA 2000 in Romania.

The department of Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources (DBCSUNR) includes 7 informal collectives: i) Plants, habitats and vegetal resources, ii) Entomology iii) Ichtyofauna and fishery, iV) Reptiles and amphibians, v) Ornithology and cynegetic, vi) Mammals, vii) Human communities and ecotourism.