Viviane Beatrice BOTA1,2,3, Gicu-Gabriel ARSENE4, Violeta TURCUȘ1,3
1 Department of Biology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, ”Vasile Goldiș” Western University of Arad, Liviu Rebreanu no. 86, 310414, Arad, Romania
2 Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Bvd. Carol I no. 20 A, 700505, Iași, Romania
3 Department of Environment, Climate Change and Mountain Legislation, National Institute of Economic Research “Costin C. Kirițescu” / Centre of Mountain Economy CE-MONT, Petreni no. 49, 725700, Vatra Dornei, Romania
4 “King Michael I” University of Life Sciences of Timișoara, Calea Aradului nr. 119, 300645, Timișoara, Romania
*Corresponding author: viviane.beatrice@gmail.com
Abstract
Many mountain ecosystems are affected by anthropogenic pressure and climate change. Ecological restoration is currently one of the main global efforts to conserve, but also to restore biodiversity, ecosystem services and improve socio-economic conditions. The extent of conservation efforts in Europe’s mountain ecosystems is unknown due to a lack of synthesis of research in this field. In this paper, based on a review of studies published in the last ten years, we identify thematic research gaps, assess the database regarding restoration actions, highlighting both enabling and hindering factors for restoration success. We also summarize new socio-economic and technological approaches and solutions introduced in the field. We found that the number of publications on the progress in restoration of European mountain ecosystems is small, and those that do exist are geographically and thematically limited case studies. Most of the case studies focus on restoring forest ecosystems following extreme events, followed by hydrological restoration of rivers, peatlands and heathland habitats. There are few studies that address the role of fauna and indicator species in restoration. A limited number of studies address the issue of conservation policies, offering solutions and new methodologies. In the end, we propose some directions for future research in this domain.
Keywords:
restauration, ecological reconstruction, mountain ecosystem, mountain habitats, Europe, biodiversity, conservation, ecosystem