Our projects on biodiversity conservation

Project ",,Ecosystem-based adaptation, climate-resilience measures and institutional development in the Lower Dniester”" implemented by BIOTICA Ecological Society and EcoContact funded by the Austrian Development Agency.

BIOTICA Ecological Society in partnership with PA EcoContact implement the project ,,Ecosystem-based adaptation, climate-resilience measures and institutional development in the Lower Dniester” with financial support of the Austrian Development Agency. Project Period: December 1st, 2017 – November 30th, 2021

Project Outcome: The long-term functionality of the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site is secured through improved conditions for its protection, enhanced ecosystem services and climate resilient livelihoods of the population.
Output 1. Implemented climate adaptation measures for water supply systems in villages from the LDRS, ensuring equal and affordable access to water for women, men and social vulnerable groups.
Output 3. Developed capacities of local communities from target area of the Lower Dniester for climate adaptation, nature conservation and management.
Output 4. Improved management of the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site through cost-based evaluation, biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation measures
Output 5. Selected areas of the LDRS are rehabilitated through forestation on both river banks. Ecosystem services and climate mitigation are enhanced.

Project "Promoting examples of strategic cooperation between key local actors in solving environmental problems in the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site”

In the period February 2020-February 2021, Ecological Society "BIOTICA" implemented the project "Promoting examples of strategic cooperation between key local actors in solving environmental problems in the Ramsar Site of "Lower Dniester" financed under the GEF Small Grants Program, implemented by UNDP Moldova.

The project objectives were to contribute to the conservation of the local landscape through forestation and arrangement of a nature visitor point in the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site and to increase the awareness raising of the local population by involving them in practical activities. The project area is the protected area Lower Dniester Ramsar Site, a valuable area from the point of view of biological diversity, recognized as Ramsar site (1316) and later included in the Fund of the natural areas protected by State.

Among the results of the project 4,1 hectares of forest were planted to protect agricultural fields and water basins along Dniester Old river bed. Another result of the project was the reduction of the costs and electricity consumption both for the institution in Palanca, where a solar panel was installed to heat water instead of a standard boiler, and for the institution in Rascaieti, where the LED bulbs were installed. The nature visitor point arranged is available for the local population of Rascaieti village and for tourists in safety and comfort, which is an example that can be replicated in other parts of the region.

Project ”Contribution to the wetland rehabilitation: pilot project for Dniester Old Riverbed”

The project ”Contribution to the wetland rehabilitation: pilot project for Dniester Old river bed” was implemented by SE BIOTICA in 2018 within the project Strengthening the institutional framework in the water and sanitation sector in the Republic of Moldova, project financed by The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and The Austrian Development Agency.

The Project objective was to mitigate conditions and improve viability of the Blind Dniester, a unique nature monument appeared in the mid of 19th century as the result of strong earthquake and change of the Dniester River mainstream.In the frame of the project some works for cleaning and reparing of the waterlock of the pumping station and cleaning of the channel that connect the pumping station with Blind Dniester were done in oder to contribute to the improvement of the viability of Bind Dniester.

Project “Sustainability measures for water-related ecosystems in the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site” financed by ADC

In November 2017 BIOTICA has ended the implementation of the project “Sustainability measures for water-related ecosystems in the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site” financed by ADC.

Overall Objective was to contribute to water management mitigating the environmental risks in favour of using an ecosystem services approach, in line with Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy and National Programme for establishing the National Ecological Network.

Project Purpose: Sustainability measures for water-related ecosystems implemented in the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site.

Project expected results were:

Expected Result 1. Priority measures to improve water supply systems in Popeasca and Talmaza Villages are implemented, ensuring equal access to water for women and men.
Expected Result 2. Vulnerable part of Cioburciu village is protected from losses caused by floods.
Expected Result 3. First regulated spawning place in Moldova is technically operational under MANR responsibility and the second spawning place is substantiated and planned.
Expected Result 4. Ecological capacities of the Talmaza Wetland core area of international importance and of riverside protective bands in Transdniestrian part of the LDRS are improved.
Expected Result 5. Awareness of and attention to strengthened LDRS management is improved among officials and citizens (women and men).

The project aims is to improve the environmental infrastructure (area for fish spawning, riverside forest bands) and facilities of human population (water supply and anti-flood systems) but also to contribute to public mobilization in favour of environmental advocacy and strengthened management.

Project "Improving the management of water resources and ecosystem protection in Ramsar Site" Lower Dniester " supported by ADC

In November 2014 BIOTICA has finished the implementation of the project "Improving the management of water resources and ecosystem protection in Ramsar Site" Lower Dniester " supported by ADC. The project objective was to contribute to water management mitigating environmental risks in favour of using an ecosystem services approach and sustainable development.

Project expected results:

Expected Result 1. The water management regulation facility is established to support water-boundary ecosystems in Talmaza Wetland Core Area of International Importance - the pilot site in Moldova for action in favour of local mitigation management.
Expected Result 2. The first regulated spawning place in Moldova is substantiated and planned on Turunciuc Island; that allows to be prepared for building of regulating water lock.
Expected Result 3. Water-protective integrity and functional capacity of riverside bands of the Dniester River in the limits of Ramsar Site are increased and local population is informed on importance of protection of water and nature heritage.
Expected Result 4. NATURA 2000 site(s) is recognised in Transdniestrian part of the Ramsar Site; primary awareness on EU environmental legislation and Helsinki Convention is raised and recommendations on protective regime for the identified site(s) are developed.
Expected Result 5. Awareness of stakeholders from the right bank of the Dniester River on water and water-linked legislation is raised and multiplication of project results is promoted.
- Expected Result 6. Potable water supply is sufficiently improved for people of Talmaza Village in support of local efforts and awareness on the need of water treatment system development is raised.

Moldova ENPI FLEG II Country Program:
Assessing revenue loss from unsustainable forest practices in Moldova

During this assignment supported by the World Bank, BIOTICA Ecological Society had the objective to conduct an assessment of the economic costs of the losses from illegal logging and poaching in Moldova’s forest ecosystems and provide real data pet these phenomena, including trends for main eco-regions of Moldova and to formulate recommendations for improving the existent relevant technical and regulatory framework.

Here can be found the report on Forests revenue loss (In Romanian).

Project “ Development of the National Ecological Network of Moldova as part of the Pan-European Ecological Network, with emphasis on transboundary cooperation”

BIOTICA ES in cooperation with IUCN Regional Office for Europe started the implementation of “Development of the National Ecological Network of Moldova as part of the Pan-European Ecological Network, with emphasis on transboundary cooperation” project with the financial support of Norway Government.

The long term goal of the Project is biological and landscape diversity conservation in Moldova through creation of the National Ecological Network integrating biological and landscape diversity concerns into the economic sectors and embedding in the framework of Pan-European Ecological Network.

COMMON BUILDING OF THE FUTURE FOR THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED INTEGRAL ZONE OF THE LOWER DNIESTER AND UPSTREAM

This project is a part of the “Support to Confidence Building Measures” project financed by European Union and implemented by UNDP. Overall objective: contribute to improvement of the confidence between stakeholders of the both river banks in the Lower Dniester area of the international importance via capacity building, common conservational planning and practical strengthening of the partnership for healthy environment in cross-boundary region. Project results include making the Management Plan for the entire Lower Dniester Ramsar Site, as well as two-banks tourist products, and finalizing an important stage of biodiversity conservation planning in Transdniesteria – for relevant sector of the Pan-European Ecological Network.

IUCN Regional Office for Europe in cooperation with BIOTICA Ecological Society and National Ecological Centre of the Ukraine is implementing the project “Agri-environment measures for conservation in the wider Europe” with the generous support of the Norway Government.
The goal of this project is to contribute to a sustainable agriculture in Ukraine and Moldova, for the benefit of rural populations, and for landscape and biological diversity.

The objectives of the project are as follows:

Snakes conservation and steppe habitat restoration in the Lower Dniester National Park in Moldova

The project is supported by the Frankfurt Zoological Society, Germany.

Most valuable habitats with primarily and valuable secondary steppe plant communities are conserved in larger areas of hyrnets – southern forest-steppe complex of curtains of semiarid Pubescent Oak alternating with steppe glades, and with sufficient representation of the steppe plants under canopy; rarely steppes remain on steep open slopes. They support 9 endangered and critically endangered species of Moldova’s. Unluckily hyrnets are substituted by locust-tree more than for one half of the total area and transformed due to activities of forestry while main part of steppe under pastures is degrading owing to overgrazing. Populations of snakes of European concern are stable as in Coronilla аustriaca and Coluber caspius or increase as in Elaphe longissima while main in Moldova population of Elaphe quatuorlineata is threatened; distribution of runners is patchy. Six properly steppe and nine other threatened insect species inhabit steppe biotopes. As the result of project three steppe seed-nurseries were created in collaboration with local authorities and schools to make basis for steppe restoration and pastures improvement; management plan and popular brochure are prepared as a basis to improve situation.

The project is supported by the National Ecologic Network. As a result the draft of the instructions was developed. The text of instructions can be found here in Romanian and Russian.

The project supported by GEF was implemented under supervision of the World Bank from 2002 till 2005.

Its main objective was the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity of global importance of the Moldavian part of the Lower Dniester delta ecosystem by creation of the first national park in this area, which would become a part of the biosphere reserve in the future created together with the Ukrainian protected area. Moreover, the project will contribute to the reduction of the Dniester’s pollution which has a transboundary status in the Black Sea basin.

Project had four components: Establishment of Moldova Lower Dniester National Park, Biodiversity Activities in the Buffer Zone, International Cooperation and Project Management and Commitment Building.

The project was realized in 2000-2001 with the support of the National Environmental Fund of the Republic of Moldova. The concept of the creation of the National Ecological Network of Moldova was elaborated and the map of the network was executed, indicating the distribution of core areas, buffer zones and biological corridors of international and national importance, as well as the most important local corridors on the territory of the country.

The concept, in case of its using, assures the integration of the country in the process of creation of the Pan European ecological network and the harmonization of the econetwork’s creation in the country, taking into consideration its real natural and social conditions. In its turn, the map of ecological network is an informative and analytic instrument of its creation, and indicates the directions of the necessary activities, including those regarding the management of valuable natural areas.

Elaboration of the project proposal «Management of water quality and biodiversity conservation in Lower Dniester»

The project “Management of water quality and biodiversity conservation in Lower Dniester” was implemented in the period of May 1999 – May 2000 supported by the Global Ecological Facility (GEF) and supervised by the World Bank with the purpose to prepare project proposal, including the creation in the zone of a new national park which may become a part of the transboundary Moldavian-Ukrainian protected area. Within its framework the preliminary project of ecological network of the Lower Dniester was prepared.

Elaboration of the Concept on the ecological restoration of the Dniester River

The concept of the ecological restoration of the Dniester River was elaborated within the framework of the project «Ecological restoration of the Dniester River» supported by John & Catherine MacArthur Foundation (USA). The goals of the project were the creation of the necessary scientific, technical and social conditions for the protection of the water and wetlands ecosystems of Lower and Middle Dniester, as well as the elaboration of the basis for the establishment of strict protected areas.

In 1998-1999 biological investigations of water ecosystems of Dniester River and its adjacent natural territories were conducted; two international scientific practical conferences were organised and a book concerning the ecological problems of the Middle Dniester was published. The materials of the researches collected thanks to the MacArthur Foundation were very useful in the elaboration of the concept of the creation of new protected areas in the Lower Dniester region realized within the framework of GEF project.

Expedition «Middle Dniester-98» was organized in the period from July till August, 1998 within the framework of the project with the same name, supported by ISAR Inc in Kyiv. Its main goals were the study of the ecological situation, created on the Middle Dniester as a result of the construction of a hydro-power station and the lack of the coordination between the environment authorities of Moldova and Ukraine, and public dissemination of the results. During the expedition observation on hydrochemical and hydrobiological parameters of the Dniester River, using classic research methods was conducted; the servance of the protective regime of the water protective zones was evaluated and the pictures were taken. After the expedition the book «Environmental Problems of the Middle Dniester» was published and recommendations on the improvement of the situation were elaborated and presented to the authorities.