Assessment of Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services in Romanian

Po li cy
sec tor
Terri torial
Planning
Na tural
Resource
Eco system
Typo
lo gy
(MAES
Le vel 2)
ALL –
including
urban
and
except
ocean
Conceptual Integration
The National Strategy for Territorial
Development horizon 2035, briefly lists
Romanian ecosystems as follows: natural and
semi-natural ecosystems represents 47%
of the national surface (forests, pastures,
freshwater and salty ecosystems, marine
and coastal ecosystems, underground
ecosystems). Protected areas recognized in
Romania are also listed.
The following five general objectives are
pursued:
- ensuring the functional integration of the
national territory in Europe by supporting the
efficient interconnection of energy, transport
and broadband networks;
- improving quality of life by developing
infrastructure and public services that ensure
urban and rural areas of quality, attractive
and inclusive;
- developing a network of competitive and
cohesive local areas by supporting territorial
specialization and the development of
functional urban areas;
- protection of the natural and built
environment and valorization of territorial
identity elements;
- improving institutional capacity to manage
territorial development processes.
The National Strategy recognizes that the
inadequate exploitation of natural resources
can have a negative impact on the latter.
Furthermore, it mentions the possibility that
ecosystem services are affected because of
climate change. Finally, the need to improve
the management of natural potential is
mentioned with the purpose to practice/
develop tourism.
In conclusion, there is recognition of the
country’s natural capital (listed ecosystems
and protected areas), the importance of
territorial cohesion and functionality, the need
to protect and avoid negative impacts on
natural resources, and the link between quality
of life and quality/attractiveness/inclusiveness
of urban and rural areas. Ecosystem services
are generally mentioned in relation to climate
change pressures. However, ecosystem
services and natural capital are not explicitly
integrated as underpinning well-being as well
as the quality/attractiveness/inclusiveness of
urban and rural areas.
Operational Integration
The Environmental Report resulting from the SEA
of the National Strategy includes an impact matrix
that assesses potential negative effects upon the
environment including interconnections between
them. Chapter IX proposes measures to prevent,
reduce and compensate the identified adverse
effects upon the environment.
The National Strategy includes: Measure no. 4.2.3.7
for the protection of natural habitats against
climate change; and, Measure no. 4.3.3.9 on the
conservation of natural protected areas as well as
the biodiversity of mountain areas. Some Specific
Objectives address the problem of balancing
conservation and use and include measures with
reduced impact on ecosystems (SO 4.1 – Heritage
protection and promotion of measures for natural
capital restoration; SO 4.4 – To ensure the balanced
development of urban and rural areas by protecting
resources associated with agriculture and forest
land and by limiting the extension of urban areas;
SO 2.3 – To improve the attractiveness of urban
and rural areas by improving their residential
functions, developing public spaces of quality as
well as transport services adapted to local needs
and characteristics).
However, the principle of management within
ecosystem capacity and limits is not mentioned. In
conclusion, the focus is mainly on avoiding negative
impacts on the environment, ecosystems and
biodiversity.
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