Eng. Anca Leonora ŞOTROPA SUMMARY OF Ph.D. THESIS ... · Contribu ţii la cunoa şterea...

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UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND VETERINARY MEDICINE CLUJ-NAPOCA

DOCTORAL SCHOOL FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

Eng. Anca Leonora ŞOTROPA

SUMMARY OF Ph.D. THESIS

Contributions to the knowledge of Apuseni

Mountains histosols in the context of sustainable

management and carbon sequestration

Scientific Supervisor:

PhD.Prof. Ioan PĂCURAR

Cluj-Napoca

2011

Contribuţii la cunoaşterea histosolurilor din Munţii Apuseni în contextul managementului durabil şi sechestrării carbonului

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CONTENT

CONTENT ................................................................................................................................... 34

FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................... 35

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 35

CHAPTER I

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY. MATERIAL AND METHOD ............ 36

CHAPTER II

TOPICALITY AND THE CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE ..................................... 37

CHAPTER III

THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................... 38

CHAPTER IV

INVENTORY OF HISTOSOLS FROM APUSENI MOUNTAINS ...................................... 39

CHAPTER V

RESEARCH ON THE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS IN THE PEATLANDS OF APUSENI MOUNTAINS ............................................................................................................ 43

CHAPTER VI

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF PEATLANDS FROM THE APUSENI MOUNTAINS .............................................................................................................................. 46

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMANDATIONS .................................................................... 48

SELECTED REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 51


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FOREWORD

Peatlands are complex ecosystems with their own characteristics which gives them

the status of uniqueness and singularity. Due to large quantities of stored carbon,

degradation and irrational use of peatlands have the effect of significant CO2 emissions.

This not only cancels a part of the made efforts, but is against with the principles and

objectives for reducing GHG global emissions. Conservation and rehabilitation of peat is

a cost-effective tool to combat climate change and biodiversity and water conservation.

Peatland conservation and rehabilitation is an efficient economic instrument in order to

conserve biodiversity and to combat the climate changes.

I want to thank, in particular, to Mr. PhD. Prof. Ioan PĂCURAR, who stood by

me and supported me unconditionally throughout this scientific approach. I have no

words to express my gratitude to the human, teacher and researcher Mr. PĂCURAR, for

all the trust and support, for all the good advices, for his friendship and his time paid

during the three years of research.

I also want to thank the Rector of USAMV Cluj-Napoca, Mr. PhD.Prof. Doru

PAMFIL, the Dean of Agricultural Faculty, Mr. PhD. Prof. Ioan ROTAR, the Director of

Doctoral School, Mr. PhD. Prof. Marin ARDELEAN and to Mrs. Rodica OANA.

I want to thank all of those who, directly or indirectly, with their suggestions, have

helped and supported me in completing this research project.

I manifest gratitude to my family for the support and understanding given

throughout the school years. My success is due to my parents and is their success too.

I dedicate this thesis to all those who, over the years, have contributed to my

human training and to friends, who gave me one little bit of theirs soul, making me happy

and fulfilled.

INTRODUCTION

Due to the major global changes that occur at such a rapid scale, urging us to adapt

to new challenges, the present paper shares the universal interest in the CO2 emissions,


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which, along with methane, protoxide of nitrogen, hydroflourocarbons, perfluorocarbons

and sulfur hexaflourure, are responsible for the climate changes.

Along with special concern for the protection and management of natural

ecosystems in Europe, supported by the intense activities of identification and mapping

high biodiversity centers, the study of histosols from Apuseni Mountains is also an

acknowledgement that the uniqueness and the priceless value of these soils are tightly

connected to the preservation of biodiversity and biological resources, as well as to its

sustainable use and to the carbon loss reduction.

The thesis is divided into six chapters, plus: Introduction, Conclusions and

recommendations and Bibliography; it includes 175 pages, 80 figures and 23 tables.

CHAPTER I

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY. MATERIAL

AND METHOD

The purpose of this paper is to enrich the already existing knowledge of peaty soils

and to contribute with updated information from Apuseni Mountains, in order to increase

the awareness about the importance of preservation and protection of these habitats, that

have an unique biodiversity, able to store great quantities of carbon, in the context of

reducing the greenhouse gas emission. This paper intends to get attention of the

importance of peatlands and their preservation, both at local and national level. It also

suggests strategies for a sustainable management meant to contribute to the preservation

of biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

The objectives of PhD thesis study, are to collect complex information about the

peatlands from Apuseni Mountains, in relation both to biodiversity and to carbon dioxide

emissions.

Therefore, the main objectives are:

� To identify the most representative peatlands areas in Apuseni Mountains, high in

key elements, essential for biodiversity preservation;


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� To identify their physical and chemical properties;

� To identify and describe the flora and fauna within the investigated area;

� To determine the amount of carbon stored in peat soils from Apuseni Mountain;

� To estimate carbon dioxide emissions released from peatlands;

� To suggest a sustainable management plan for biodiversity preservation, carbon

sequestration and a rational use of Apuseni Mountains peatlands;

The research of the eco-pedological conditions and the morphologic description of

the soil, has been made according to “Romanian System of Soil Taxonomy" (2003),

completed by „Methodology of soil studies elaboration” (vol. I, II, III), elaboreated by

I.C.P.A. Bucharest in 1987.

CO2 emissions from peat have been measured using SafeLog100 Air Analyzer and

a dynamic closed system designed and built by USA PP System Company. The data have

been interpreted using ANOVA and STATISTICA 6.0 programs.

CHAPTER II

TOPICALITY AND THE CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE

Climate changes are considered to be the most serious problem of our days.

Starting year 2000, the rate of carbon dioxide accumulation has rapidly raised; this is also

the case of methane, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases.

Covering almost 3% of the Earth’s surface, peatlands store up to 550 Gt of carbon,

twice as much as the entire world forest biomass. Peatland carbon losses occur as carbon

dioxide emissions, methane, dissolved carbon or other particles, CO2 flow depending on

the balance between carbon fixation through photosynthesis and its release in atmosphere

through plant respiration and peat mineralization, the entire process depending on

temperature and moisture.

Therefore, the study of peaty soils is an acknowledgement of their uniqueness and

high value, correlated to climatic changes and biodiversity.


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So far, the research of histosols (peat soils, peatlands, peat swamps) in our

country was been made in a heterogeneous and disparate way, the most complex study on

this subject been written by Emil Pop in 1960.

Histosols are organic soils with particular characteristics determinate by humidity

excess (hydromorphic), called gleysol (DUDAL, 1991). In Romanian Soil Classification

System (1980) it gleysol were named peat soil, and MUNTEANU I. and FLOREA N.,;

Romanian System of Soil Taxonomy (2003) named them histosol and placed them into the

Histisol class.

Vegetation has an important role in peat properties, peatlands contributing to the

maintenance of taxonomic biodiversity. The floristic composition within rRomanian peat

ecosystems is unique and contains many relict species: Meesea longiseta (Odorhei),

Carex dioica, Calla palustris (Apuseni Mountains), Tofieldia caliculata (Valea Morii,

Cluj), Viola epispsila (Ciucului basin), Swertia perennis (Cluj-Valea Morii, Ţara Bârsei),

Ligularia sibilica, Calamagostris canescens, Drosera anglica, Primula farinosa.

Generally, peat swamps in Romania have small surfaces and in some cases the

fragmentations have reduced the original area as a result of human activity. Therefore an

inventory of peatlands existing in our country is requested in order to determine the

properties, characteristics and biodiversity of these ecosystems considered to be among

the most vulnerable and severely affected by human activity.

CHAPTER III

THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The Apuseni Mountains are characterized by a complex geological structure; they

are young fold mountains, formed during the Alpine- Himalayan orogeny. They appear

like an old massive, intensely eroded, as the variety of relief forms shows: steep slopes,

large and smooth pastures on the heights, deep valleys and numerous depressions.


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Apuseni Mountans have a mountain climate with oceanic and temperate

continental influences; the temperature is influenced by their geographic position and by

the movement of west air. The studies on this climate (where the most prominent are west

oceanic influences), revealed that the average annual precipitations values range from

1000 mm and 1200 mm, sometimes exceeding 1300 mm at Stâna de Vale, known to be

the rainiest area in Romania.

The particularity of the Apuseni Mountains climate is given by thermal inversion.

This phenomenon takes place as a result of vertical distribution of temperature and foehn

winds, which are warm and dry winds developed perpendicularly to the prevailing winds’

direction.

The hydrographic network is very dense. High precipitation transform this

mountains in a real water castel, from which many tributaries of Criş Rivers, Someş

River and Mureş River spring (I.IRIMUS, 2003).

In Apuseni Mountains appear all stages of vegetation (C.PȊRVU, 1980), from

steppe to mountains pastures. The swamp vegetation, also called “molhas” by locals

(E.POP, 1960), consists especially of peat moss (Sphagnum), sedge species (Carex

pauciflora), and Lycopodium inundatum, Drosera rotundifolia, Menyantes trifoliata,

Myosotis palustris, Potamogeton, Eriophorum angustifolium, Petasites vulgaris,

Equisetum maximum.

As a result of the wide variety of rocks and altitudes, the relief of the Apuseni

Mountains influences directly the complexity of the pedogenetic process. There are a

wide range of soils in this area, belonging to different classes (in Romanian System of

Soil Taxonomy): cernisol, luvisol, cambisol, spodisol, hidrisol, protisol and histisol.

Due to their orographic and geologic structure and the hydrologic regime, high in

precipitations and propitious for the Sphagnum development, Apuseni Mountains contain

99 of the total of 265 high peat bogs in Romania (POP, 1960).

CHAPTER IV

INVENTORY OF HISTOSOLS FROM APUSENI MOUNTAINS


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The ombrogenous characteristic of peat swamps from the Apuseni Mountains is

due to the high rainfalls, to the thick peat which separates vegetation from the

groundwater, as well as the specific oligotrophic vegetation, poor in species but rich in

individuals.

Peatbogs from Izbuc –Calineasa –Ic area are typical peatbogs, formed in the

valleys of Someşului Cald River’s springs, in the lower level of spruce forest, at an

altitude of 900-1200 m. Specific plants associated to those peatlands are Sphagneto-

Eriophorum, where trees are missing; Empetrum nigrum and Calluna vulgaris species are

characteristic for this area also.

The peat from Izbuc –Calineasa –Ic area has a very acid reaction (pH in the range

from 3,6 to 4,3), the hydrolytic acidity is very high (82,17-97,32 me/100 g soil), the peat

is high in organic matter (82,17-97,32 %), but poor in minerals, as showed by the low

amounts of P2O5 (less than 0,076%) and K2O (less than 0,051%).

The carbon content varies between 36,12 and 57,44%, its average value being

close to the average value of high quality peat bog, 58%, while the content of N is rather

low (roughly 1%).

The peatbogs from Giurcuţa de Jos area are formed in the large, bright terraces of

Someşul Cald River, on crystalline schists. They can be found at altitudes ranging from

800 and 1000 m, have smaller dimensions and most of them have been degraded by

human activity.

The peat from Giurcuţa de Jos area has a very acid reaction (the pH value is

approximately 4), its hydrolytic acidity is very high (75,10-91,01 me/100 g soil), and the

organic matter content is also high (83,28-93,17%). The carbon content varies between

51,68 and 54,04% slightly below of quality peat average (58% carbon), while N content

is rather low (no more than 1,010%).

The ash amount of peat is of 9,54%; the peat has a low quantity of minerals, P2O5

(less than 0,0703%), and K2O (below 0,062%).

The peat bogs of Bălceşti-Călăţele area can be founded on mountain plateaus,

between Bălceşti Village and Călăţele village, at heights of 900 – 1200m. The peatlands


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from this area are typical peat bogs, some with invasion of spruce, others are formed on

Eocene sandy clay, only in rare cases rcrystalline schists and sandstones.

The peat from Bălceşti-Călăţele area has a very acid reaction, the mean value of its

pH being 4.11, the hydrolytic acidity is very high (85,1-110,34 me/100 g soil), as well as

the content of organic matter (84,12-98,92%). Although the maximum nitrogen content is

of 1.307%, it falls within the limit values of oligotrophic peat from our county

(OBREJANU AND COLAB., 1958). The carbon content varies between 48.79 and 56.9%.

The ash content has a mean value of 6.96% due to the fact that in the upper layers,

where the ash content is up to 15.88%, the peat is not completely decomposed. The peat

has a low quantity of mineral elements, as showed by the low content of P2O5 (less than

0,0921 %) and K2O (0.030 – 0.72%).

Balomireasa, Căpăţâna, Dobrinu area is the highest peatlands region in our

country and are located almost entirely on the eruptive massive of Gilau Mountains.

Peatlands vegetation from this area is composed of Eriophorum vaginatum, Eriophorum

angustifolium, Carex stellulata, Drosera rotundifolia, Stellaria palustris, Valeriana

simplicifolia, Galium uliginosum, Potentilla tormentilla, and in areas where the

vegetation is oligotrophic Carex pauciflora appears. Floristic speaking, Drosera

intermedia is prominent in these peat swamps.

The peat from the upper course of Someşul Rece River has a very acid reaction,

the average value of its pH is 4.05, the hydrolytic acidity is very high (85,21-107,80

me/100 g soil), and the organic matter content is very high, up to 87,12 %. The carbon

content varies between 50,53 and 57,25 %, while nitrogen is present in rather small

amounts, between 0,721 and 1,105%.

The peat has a small quantity of minerals, as the low P2O5 and K2O content shows

and the average value of ash content is 5.28%.

Mluha peatbog covers an area of more than 10 ha, formed by acid organic matter,

mainly Sphagnum and Polytricum. Its vegetation consists mostly of different species of

Sphagnum moss genus (Sphagnum acutiforme, Sphagnum medium, Sphagnum

warnstorfii, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum recurvum), Polytrichum strictum and

Polytrichum commune.


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Isolated, we can found dwarf trees of Piceas abies, Abies alba, Pinus silvestris,

Betula verrucosa, along with other herbaceous species : Nardus stricta, Molinia coerulea,

Eriophorum vaginatum, Festuca rubra, Carex limosa, Carex stellulata, Drosera

rotundifolia , Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Potentilla tormentilla, Ranunculus

acer, Luzula pilosa, Orchis maculata, Homogyne alpina and Vaccinium oxycoccos şi

Vaccinium myrtillus (species of shrubs).

Mluha peatbog has a very acid reaction (its pH has the values between 3,10 and

3,80), the organic matter is fibric on the surface and henico-sapric in depth and its values

are rather high (exceeding 97%), the total amount of nitrogen varies between 0,53-

1,031%, phosphorus has values between 0.021 and 0.075%, and potassium content values

range between 0.049 and 0.088%.

The carbon content values within Mluha peatbog, range between 55.97% and

57.47 %, a little lower than the average carbon content value of high quality peat (58%).

In Bihor Mountains there is a number of transitional swamps, at the periphery of

the actual peatswamps, situated at altitudes of 1200-1450 m. The amount of peat in these

swamps is unsignificant; however their vegetation consist of eutrophic or transitional

species of Sphagnum and Carex sp.

The peat of Bihor Mountais is slightly acid, almost neutral, falling into the

category of eu-mesotrophic soils; the average value of its pH is 5.11. The total amount of

nitrogen has values that range between 0.87% and 2.78 % and its average value is 1.62%.

The carbon content values (figure 5) vary from 36.64% to 55.66 % and the C:N ratio has

low values (13.01 – 66.30) as a result of the peat’s advanced mineralization

(decomposition).

The high content of ash, 15.12% on average, prove the peat’s rich content of

minerals, for the values of P2O5 and K2O range from 0.0413% to 0.27% and

from0.0197% to 1.04 %, respectively.

The peat of Tăul Sălicii has a neutral reaction, the pH values range from 4.25 to

7.58; the total content of nitrogen varies between 1.43% and 3.98% and the content value

of carbon is 44.05%. Compared with the oligotrophic peats, the organic matter content is

lower, 79.95 on average and even lower in the upper layers.


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Valea Morii, which is 250 m lower than Feleac Hill (744 m), has a typical

depression microclimate, specific for deciduous forests: Querceto-Carpinetum roboris

petraea and Fageto –Carpinetum, going downhill until the valley. In the peat swamps

within this area, we can find floral rarities, for instance some glacial relicts: Cladium

maricsis, Tofieldia caliculata, Swertia perenis.

The carbon content value varies between 6% and 28.2% and the C:N ratio is

lower, due to peat’s advanced decomposition. The content of organic matter is low,

between 10.35% and 36.71%, even lower in the upper layers.

CHAPTER V

RESEARCH ON THE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS IN THE

PEATLANDS OF APUSENI MOUNTAINS

Peat bogs drainage performed during peat exploitation can determine significant

greenhouse gas emissions for long periods of time, because the huge carbon amount is

gradually but continuously released. Virtually, the peat restoration process could cause

changes in the carbon emission flow, depending on the peat’s position and characteristics,

the prevoious damage (caused by excavations and drainages for agriculture and forestry),

the method of resoration (flooding, damming, ditch filling) and most of all, the time that

passed since these actions were performed.

Carbon dioxide emissions of peat bogs in Izbuc-Călineasa-Ic area vary according

to their depth and increase as a result of human activity; thus they reach average values of

132.29 mg/CO2/m2/h, equivalent to 48 g C/m2/year. When the soil is stripped as a result

of bio-chemical procedures, the amount of CO2 emissions of Ic peat bog increase by an

average 34.28 mg CO2/m2/h.

Within La Gura Firii peat bog, CO2 emissions have roughly the same values on

the soil surface, even when the soil is stripped. The explanation lies in the fact that the

peat swamp was severely damaged by intensive grazing and deforestation that occurred

in these areas; therefore, the vegetation layer is no longer compact and the emissions


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values are high, almost double compared to Tăul lui Onuţ peat bog. The CO2 emissions

on the soil surface in Bălceşti-Călăţele area ranges from 59.73 to 82.15 mg CO2/m2/h and

the average value is 16.34 mg CO2/m2/h, lower than the CO2 emission values on the

stripped soil surface, emissions depending on how deep the profile is.

The excessive exploitation of the peat from Călăţele leaded to the sudden and

permanent damage of the entire ecosystem. Despite the fact that today the peat bog is

largely covered with vegetation and is recovering, still, the CO2 emissions value is 115.14

mg CO2/m2/h.

The highest values of CO2 emissions in Balomireasa-Dobrinu peatlands have been

recorded in Zăpodie peatland on the stripped soil surface (114.63 mg CO2/m2/h), while

the lowest values have been recorded in Smida peatland, at a depth of 80 cm.

In what the peatlands of Bihor Mountains are concerned, CO2 emissions values do

not exceed 114.63 g CO2/m2/h (figure 1). Regarding the peatlands of Bihor Mountains,

CO2 emissions values do not exceed 114.63 g CO2/m2/h (figure 1).

Fig.1. CO2 emissions variation based on temperature and moisture content

The CO2 emissions values of the two eutrophic peat bogs in Cluj County were

compared. In the peat bog of Valea Morii these values are between 4.81 and 12.6 g/m2/h,

while in Tăul Sălicii they are by far higher, between 12.28 and 22.68 g/m2/h. In both


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cases the highest values were recorded in the middle of the peat bogs, where the peat

layer is the thickest.

The CO2 emissions recorded in the peat bog of Călăţele do not present significant

differences compared with the average CO2 emissions values recorded in Apuseni

Mountains (110.91 mg CO2/m2/h.). On the other hand, in the peat swamps of Calciş,

Sâvla and Onceasa, Molhaşul cel Mare from Bârsa, Cuciulata, Cârligaţi and La Gura

Firii, the CO2 emission average values is very significantly positive distinct compared

with the average of CO2 emission recorded in the Apuseni Mountains (table 1). In

contrast, for the peatland from Ic, the average of CO2 emissions is significantly negative

distinct compared with those recorded in Apuseni Mountains.

Significance of Duncan test comparisons between CO2 emissions in each peatland

and emission mean in Apuseni Mountains

Tabelul /Table 1

Nr.crt. No.crt.

Turbărie Peatland

Media CO2 CO2 mean

Clasificare Classification

1 Tăul lui Onuţ 36.75 A 2 Turbăria Smida 48.36 AB 3 Turbăria Căpăţâna 54.39 BC 4 Turbăria Rovina cea Mare 59.73 BCD 5 Turbăria Ciunget 59.75 BCD 6 Turbăria Tăul Runcului 62.14 CDE 7 Turbăria Dameş 68.87 DEF 8 Turbăria Ciurtuci 70.46 DEFG 9 La Pietrele Onachi 71.19 DEFG 10 Turbăria Râşca 75.28 EFGH 11 Turbăria Platou 79.68 FGHI 12 Molhaşul cel Mare 80.12 FGHI 13 Turbăria Muntişoru 81.34 FGHI 14 Turbăria de la Pod 82.15 FGHI 15 Turbăria Bălămireasa 84.31 GHI 16 Turbăria Zăpodie 85.76 HI 17 Molhaşul dintre Izbuce 88.23 HI 18 Tinovul de la Ic 92.31 I 19 Munţii Apuseni 110.91 J 20 Turbăria de la Călăţele 115.14 J 21 La Gura Firii 137.27 K 22 Turbăria Cârligaţi 143 K 23 Mlaştinile de la Sâvla 183 L 24 Mlaştinile de la Onceasa 179 L 25 Molhaşul cel Mare de la Bârsa 218 M 26 Turbăria Cuciulata 223 M 27 Mlaştinile de la Calciş 256 N


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Comparing the average of CO2 emissions of European peatlands with that

recorded in the Apuseni Mountains, we can notice that between the peatland of Molhaşul

cel Mare, Bârsa, Cuciulata and the peatlands in Europe there are not significant

differences. Regarding the Calcis swamps, the CO2 average is very significantly positive

distinct compared to the mean values recorded in the European peatlands, while in the

other peatlands it is very significantly negative distinct compared with CO2 emission

average recorded in European peatlands (216,89 mg CO2/m2/h) (ORTPLUZZI ET AL.,

2006).

We can notice the fact that in Calciş Swamps, the CO2 average emissions values

are higher than the CO2 average emissions recorded in Europe’s peatlands, which is

alarming, taking into consideration the fact that Europe has a total peatland area of 514

882 km2 (JOOSTEN AND CLARKE, 2002).

From the multiple regression analysis of soil CO2 emissions samples taken at

depths of 0-20 cm, 40-60 cm and 80-100 cm, results that CO2 emissions in soil at a depth

of 40-60 cm have a lower influence on CO2 emission from the surface of peatlands.

In Gura Firii peatlands there is a hight corelation between CO2 emission from

soil, carbon content and the depth of sampling place.

CHAPTER VI

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF PEATLANDS FROM THE APUSENI

MOUNTAINS

The aim of this management plan is to promote a model that will help to preserve

the species and habitats existing in peatlands of the Apuseni Mountains, the biologic

diversity and the other values of the peatlands, as well as the sustainable development of

the human communities nearby.

The objectives of this management plan are:


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• To identify the problems and threats that endanger the peatlands in the Apuseni

Mountains, taking into consideration the sustainable management and carbon

sequestration;

• To indicate some measures in order to maintain/restore the condition for the

favorable preservation of the peatlands in the Apuseni Mountains;

Some peatlands are included in protected areas; some of them are part of

NATURA 2000 network or are protected by the Forest Code. According to the current

national legislation, these ecosystems benefit from special regulations, which stipulate the

preservation of their composition.

However, those peatlands which do not belong to the above-mentioned categories

are problematic. Given the ecologic conditions of peatland ecosystems, human activity of

any kind are not recommended. Nonetheless, taking into account the fact that the

peatlands are near human communities, here are some measures to be taken:

• To forbid peatlands industial exploitation, activities that have a negative impact on

the peaty ecosystems in the long run, causing their extinction;

• To forbid any agricultural activities in the peaty areas;

• To forbid irrational exploitation of forests and pastures in the nearby area of

hydrographic basins this feed the peat bogs. These activities affect the hydrologic

balance of the peatland and have negative effects on biodiversity;

• To forbid off-road activities, which are likely to destroy the vegetation layer of the

peatlands;

• To limit public access in the peat areas, except from specially designed paths, in

order not to damage biodiversity and to destroy the rare species of plants within

these ecosystems;

• To forbid camping or campfires in peatlands, except from the special areas,

designed for these activities, situated outside of these habitats;

• To forbid waste storage in the peatland areas;

• To avoid road building in the peat ecosystems;

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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMANDATIONS

The present study focused on the histosols in Apuseni Mountains, their physical and

chemical properties, on biodiversity inventory and the quantification of the amount of

carbon stored in peatlands, lead to the following conclusions:

• Peatlands are a priceless component of the environment; their positive effects on

the environment are reflected in the diversity of plants and animals communities

and hydrologic fluctuations, which are important for the entire society;

• In Romanian Soil Classification System (1980) was called peaty soil, and fell into

the category of organic soils. At international level the term histosols is preferred

(FAO-UNESCO, 1974; FAO-UNESCO-ISRIC,1990; FAO, 1998); it comes from

the Greek histos meaning tissue.

• In our country, the research on histosols (peaty soils, peatlands, peat swamps) was

heterogeneous and disparate;

• Due to their orographic and geologic structure and the hydrologic regime, rich in

precipitations and propitious for the existence of Sphagnum species, out of the 265

high peat bogs (oligotrophic) within Romania, 99 are located in the Apuseni

Mountains.

• The peat of Izbuc – Calineasa – Ic area has a very acid reaction, its hydrolytic

acidity is very high; it is rich in organic matter, but poor in minerals, and the

carbon content varies from 36.12% to 57.44%.

• The peat of Giurcuţa de Jos area is very acid (the pH value is approximately 4), its

hydrolytic acidity and the content of organic matter are very high. The carbon

content varies between 51, 68 % and 54, 04%;

• The peat swamps of Bălceşti-Călăţele area are typical; the peat has a very acid

reaction, the average value of its pH is 4.11, the hydrolytic acidity is very high

(85.1 – 110.34 me/100 g sol) as well as the content of organic matter. The carbon

content varies between 48.79 and 56.9%.

• Balomireasa, Căpăţâna, Dobrinu area is the highest areas with peatlands in our

country (1500 – 1600 m).


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• The peatlands on the upper course of Somesul Rece River have a very acid

reaction, the hydrolitic acidity of peat is very high and the content of organic

matter is also very high, exceeding 87.12%. The carbon content varies between

50.53 and 57.25 %.

• The peat from Mluha peat bog has a very acid reaction, the organic matter is fibric

on the surface and hemico-sapric in depth and its values are rather high (exceeding

97%).

• The peat of Bihor Mountais has a slightly acid pH, almost neutral, falling into the

category of eu-mesotrophic soils;

• The peat of Tăul Sălicii has a neutral reaction, the pH values range from 4.25 to

7.58; its hydrolytic acidity is rather low.

• In peatland Valea Morii, the carbon content value varies between 6% and 28.2%

and the C/N ratio is lower, due to peat’s advanced decomposition. The content of

organic matter is low, between 10.35% and 36.71%, even lower in the upper

layers.

Information related to the CO2 emissions in Apuseni Mountains:

• Carbon dioxide emissions of the peat swamps in Izbuc-Călineasa-Ic area vary

according to their depth and increase as a result of human activity; thus they reach

average values of 132.29 mg/CO2/m2/h, equivalent to 48 g C/m2/year.

• The excessive exploitation of peat from Călăţele leaded to the sudden and

permanent elimination of the entire ecosystem. Despite of the fact that today the

peat bog is largely covered with vegetation and is recovering, the average of CO2

emissions is 115.14 mg CO2/m2/h.

• The highest values of CO2 emissions in Balomireasa-Dobrinu peatlands have

been recorded in Zăpodie peatland (Turbăria Zăpodie), on the stripped soil surface

(114.63 mg CO2/m2/h), while the lowest values have been recorded in Smida

peatland, at a depth of 80 cm. The values of CO2 emissions do not exceed 114.63

g CO2/m2/h in this area.


50

• Comparing the average of CO2 emissions of European peatlands with that

recorded in the Apuseni Mountains, we can notice that between the peatland of

Molhaşul cel Mare, Bârsa, Cuciulata and the peatlands in Europe there are not

significant differences.

• In Calciş Swamps, the CO2 average emissions values are higher than the CO2

average emissions recorded in Europe’s peatlands.

• CO2 emissions in soil in a depth of 40-60 cm have a lower influence on CO2

emission from the surface of peatlands.

Recommandations:

• No human activity should be permited in these areas;

• Pertinent information about these ecosystems shoud be provided in order to

determine the species characteristics and to predict correctly their survival and

extinction; also maintaining or building some ecological corridors to relate

peatlands peaces or small peatlands would be useful.

• Considering the fact that peatlands are a criterion for predicting depressions’ age

and genesis, thus functining as a archive for the history and evolution of our

vegetation, they coud be included in the category of natural monuments, in order

to be protected.

• The peatlands from Apuseni Mountains should be permanently monitorized in

terms of their dynamics and biodiversity, in order to identify and implement the

most suitable measures to preserve the species and habitats of these ecosystems.

The implementation of a proper management, able to preserve peatlands and to

restore the damaged histosols represent both a natural way of fighting against climate

changes and a moral duty, since this local process has global implications.


51

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