Prof. dr. Radu REY*
Member (h.) of the Romanian Academy and ASAS,
Founding President of the Romanian Mountain Forum
*Corresponding author: cabinet_fmr@yahoo.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18999342
Abstract
Romania’s Carpathians, covering over 7 million hectares, include diverse ecosystems ranging from forests to grasslands and meadows. The dominant soils are Cambisols (44.7%) and Spodosols (43.98%), characterized by low fertility but important for forest vegetation and mountain pastures. The biodiversity of soil microflora is a crucial factor, with algae, fungi and bacteria contributing to the decomposition of organic matter and soil regeneration. Mountain grasslands support a diverse flora, including many medicinal plant species, such as in the Apuseni Mountains. Although soils are vulnerable to erosion and scouring, nutrient accumulation processes in micro-depressions contribute to local soil fertility. The Dorna basin is an example of geological diversity, rich in mineral resources such as manganese and hydro-mineral waters, which support local industry and spa tourism. Dorna Emmenthal cheese, traditionally made from milk from natural pastures rich in minerals (Ca, Mg, Zn), is also a symbol of the valorisation of mountain resources. However, production was abandoned after 2020 due to economic problems. Radu Rey proposes an associative-cooperative model for the organization of mountain areas, based on interconnected local cooperatives to manage the production, the certification of “mountain products” and their marketing on foreign markets. Similar models in Switzerland, Italy and France have shown that this strategy could significantly increase the income of local farmers. For the sustainable future of the Romanian Carpathian Mountains, it is essential to support small farmers, protect biodiversity and maintain traditional farming practices, thus preventing the worrying ecological degradation and depopulation of mountain areas.
Keywords:
Romanian Carpathians; soils; biodiversity; sustainable development; mountain products; grasslands; Dorna Basin