By: Hugo Bitouzé, Tree-Nation Head of Reforestation Projects
Presenting our first project in Transylvania, Romania: "Climate Smart Forests". Aimed at ecological restoration, this project uses tree planting to strengthen forests against global climate change effects.
Romania is prized for its expansive, untouched forests that play a pivotal role in European biodiversity. These forests span various climatic and elevation gradients, and are home to countless animal and plant species, including prominent large carnivores. Romania's EU membership has catalyzed its shift towards sustainable forestry, focusing on practices like extended tree rotations and banning large-scale clear-cutting.
There are two objectives: to promote biodiversity and to combat climate change. We will plant exclusively native tree species close to our sites. These trees are crucial to the ecosystem, supporting a range of local animals and ensuring strong, healthy ecosystems.
Fig. 1. Volunteers on their way plant trees. Our first objective is focused on planting sessile oak (Quercus petraea) seedlings to reintroduce the oak species into the Ciuc intramontane basin in the Eastern Carpathians. These oaks were once a staple of the Ciuc Valley's landscape. They are particularly resilient to climate change effects like drought and milder winters. Oak forests are also biodiversity hotspots and, being long-lived, they store vast amounts of carbon. The groves we plant will aid the slow recolonization of abandoned agricultural lands, with birds, especially jays, playing a pivotal role in this process.
On the other hand, the Hășmaș Mountains, specifically the Cheile Bicazului Hășmaș Național Park, present unique challenges. Wind erosion has taken its toll, but we see an opportunity: diversifying the area's tree species, fostering migration in response to the changing climate. It's about laying the groundwork for a resilient forest, a safe haven for the diverse species that seek refuge in Europe's pristine woods.
Fig. 2. Part of the Hășmaș Mountains, being replanted by a volunteer. But this is not a journey that is going to be done by the local project team on its own. Every season, the project organizes community tree planting events, drawing together local community members, school children, families, and volunteers. It's a communal mission, a shared responsibility. Together, we are not merely planting trees but sowing the seeds for a more resilient, biodiverse Transylvania.
Join us. Be part of this journey and help us to shape the future of this enchanting region.
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