Forest characteristics and forest types
Romania is covered by rich and diverse vegetation, where forests account for about 27% of the national territory. From the top of the mountains to the seashore one can find shrub and rocky vegetation, impressive coniferous forests, mixed spruce, primary fir and beech forests, meadows and ancient forests in hills and plain regions, oak or mixed broadleaved forests on plains, fringing forests along flooded meadows, halophytic or costal plants alongside the large rivers or the seashore, wetland vegetation or boundless reed beds within swamps and the Danube Delta vegetation. This rich diversity is due to the country’s geographical location, wherein four different climates coexist: continental, south European, sub-Mediterranean and central European. Therefore, in Romania 5 different geographic bioregions can be found (alpine, continental, pontic, panonian, stepic).
The distribution of forests on various relief types is illustrated in the next diagram, 37.2 % of forests are in the mountain areas (Carpathian Mountains), 51.9 % of forests are located in the hill areas and 10.9 % of the forests are situated in the plain areas.
The distribution of forests on various relief types is illustrated in the next diagram, 37.2 % of forests are in the mountain areas (Carpathian Mountains), 51.9 % of forests are located in the hill areas and 10.9 % of the forests are situated in the plain areas.
In Romania’s forests, the most sensitive ecosystem types are the steppe forests where forests are exposed to dry climates and to climate changing effects. The distribution of tree species in forests, illustrated below is: 32.1% of forests are beech forests, 30.1% consist of resinous trees species, 17.7% of oak tree species and 20.1% of broadleaved tree species.
Forest structure indicates the orientation of the Romanian forestry in applying seed-based regeneration of older stands or planting new seedlings after clear cuttings. The purpose of that is to obtain diversified and uneven aged stands with high ecological stability and valuable industrial timber.
During the last century forest is affected by natural and human factors. The main factors are long dry periods (climate change), industrial pollution (transboundary in some cases), intensive grazing and forest logging using improper technologies. The most affected species are oak and fir. Due to climate change, some forest vegetation zones are taking the place of others in some mountain ecosystems. For example beech forests are advancing in altitude replacing former fir forests.
During the last century forest is affected by natural and human factors. The main factors are long dry periods (climate change), industrial pollution (transboundary in some cases), intensive grazing and forest logging using improper technologies. The most affected species are oak and fir. Due to climate change, some forest vegetation zones are taking the place of others in some mountain ecosystems. For example beech forests are advancing in altitude replacing former fir forests.
The classification of forests in different age categories is also an interesting factor. In Romania an important category includes forests older than 100 years. In this category pristine forests are also included. A comprehensive study carried out by the Romanian Forest Research Institute did identify more than 200,000 hectares of pristine forests.
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