Monica Dumitraşcu

Water deficit and corn productivity during the post-socialist period. Case study: Southern Oltenia drylands, Romania

ABSTRACT Water deficit (WD) typically associated with drylands and poor land use currently represent a major limiting factor for agricultural systems in numerous regions of the world. The present study aims to analyze the relationship between water deficit and corn (Zea mays L) crop yields in southern Oltenia drylands. The study includes the post-1990 period, which is representative for Romania in terms of ample climate changes and poor land planning decisions affecting water resources. This analysis targeted the vegetation period of corn (April–September), the reference period covering a 14-year interval, from 1990 to 2003. The entire analysis was based on spatialized WD data (mm), obtained by interpolation methods used on climate data provided by regional weather stations, and agricultural yield data (tons/hectare/year), recorded in 113 administrative territorial units. Both data sets were analyzed in terms of interannual statistical relationships, established in compact climate zones delineated by Thiessen-Voronoi polygons. The results showed a clear statistical relationship between the two variables, with an average dependence of corn yields on water of approximately 65%. The range was from 55 to 78%, depending on region. The results showed an average yield decrease of 16.5 kg/ha/year for each mm rise of the WD, or loss of 1.65 t/ha/year when considering a deficit rise of 100 mm. Therefore, in the context of increasing future WD, urgent action is needed in order to reintroduce irrigation systems.

Key pluvial parameters in assessing rainfall erosivity in the south-west development region, Romania

Located in the south-western part of Romania, the south-west development region overlaps the main relief forms: the Carpathians mountains, the Getic Subcarpathians, the Getic piedmont, the Romanian plain and the Danube valley. The study aims at providing an overview on the main pluvial parameters and their role in assessing rainfall erosivity in the study area. The authors assessed the occurrence, frequency and magnitude of some of the most significant pluvial parameters and their impact on the climatic aggressiveness in the study area. Thus, the monthly and annual mean and extreme climatic values for different rainfall related parameters (e.g., maximum amounts of precipitation/24 hr, heavy rainfall), as well as relevant indices and indicators for pluvial aggressiveness (Fournier, Fournier Modified, Angot) were calculated. The rainfall erosivity was assessed in order to provide both the spatial distribution of the triggering extreme weather phenomena and the resulted intensity classes for the analysed indices and indicators. The authors used long-term precipitation records (1961–2010) for the selected relevant meteorological stations distributed throughout all analysed relief units.

Predicting the Potential Distribution of Ailanthus altissima, an Invasive Terrestrial Plant Species in Măcin Mountains National Park (Romania)

Under current global change conditions, invasive species show an increasing tendency to spread over larger areas in close relationship with their triggering environmental driving forces. Current research is seeking to assess the potential distribution of the invasive terrestrial plant species (ITPS) Ailanthus altissima in a natural protected area, the Măcin Mountains National Park (II IUCN category). The protected area is located in the southeastern part of Romania, sheltering a combination of Pontic, steppe, and well-preserved sub-Mediterranean and Balkan forest ecosystems. The authors propose a geographic GIS-based quantitative statistical analysis (potential distribution model, ITPS-PODISMOD) of A. altissima using bivariate analysis that takes into consideration the relationship between variables, such as A. altissima as the dependent variable and its driving factors as independent variables. Concurrently, each driving factor was ranked depending on the relationships between the analysed species and its ecological conditions. Thus, an ITPS-PODISMOD map displaying areas with different potential distribution of A. altissima in relationship to the key environmental driving factors has resulted.

Environmental Changes in the Maramureş Mountains Natural Park

Maramures Mountains Natural Park (MMNP) is the biggest protected area in the Romanian Carpathians, located in the north of the Eastern Carpathians along Romania’s border with Ukraine. The Park displays a complex of richly forested mountain summits, a great diversity of ecosystems, and unique landscapes, which have led to its declaration as a protected area, under the Category V IUCN – Protected Landscape-Natural Park, in 2004. This chapter provides an update of the environmental changes related to the main human-induced pressures characteristic for this natural protected area. Although MMNP was declared later than other similar protected areas in the Romanian Carpathians (e.g. Apuseni Natural Park and Bucegi Natural Park, declared in 1990), its rich biodiversity, outstanding landscapes, and cultural heritage are no less significant and valuable. Therefore, the authors are seeking to identify and assess the historical and current human-induced driving forces encountered in MMNP (e.g. settlements expansion, deforestation, overgrazing, mining activities, touristic activities) that have driven the most significant environmental changes in the area (e.g. habitat, fragmentation, biodiversity loss, land use/land cover changes) to prevent their intensification and reduce their negative impact.

Human Pressure on the Environment in the “Munţii Maramureşului” Natural Park

In order to protect the natural environment in the Romanian Carpathians, 22 major protected areas totalling approximately 1 million hectares, as well as some 600 reserves and natural monuments totalling 50,000 ha, were declared. The chapter is aiming to point out the main human-related pressures characteristic for the mountain natural landscapes, by selecting as case study “Munţii Maramuresului” Natural Park (MMNP). This protected area can be considered as a landmark in the Romanian Carpathians protected areas assessment, taking into account both its environmental stressors and its landscape qualities for acceding to UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. Although MMNP was declared in 2004, later than other similar protected areas in Romanian Carpathians (Apuseni Natural Park and Bucegi Natural Park in 1990 etc.), its landscape and biodiversity features are no less significant and valuable. The authors are aiming to identify and assess the main present-day human impact categories encountered in MMNP: deforestation and over-grazing, mining activities, poaching, waste deposits, etc. in order to prevent their expansion and diminish their negative impact upon the environment.