Monitoring the impact of actions on the habitat 8310

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Monitoring the impact of actions on habitat 8310

The monitoring activities of habitat 8310 were carried out during 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, according to the methodology in the monitoring plan.

The monitoring aimed to verify the efficiency and sustainability of the concrete actions to rehabilitate habitat 8310, to assess the status of the rehabilitation works of the morphology and speleothems in the cavities in which the works were carried out (maintenance of the rehabilitation works of the morphology, speleothems, walls, the cavity as a whole).

The habitat monitoring activity was carried out through separate field trips or together with the bat monitoring activity.

Following the monitoring activity of habitat 8310 from the perspective of maintaining the works carried out within the actions for the restoration of the morphology of habitat 8310 and its decontamination, we can state that, in general, the works carried out were maintained, thus, overall, the area of ​​habitat 8310 increased by increasing the number of decontaminated cavities and with restored morphology, with open, accessible entrances. This fact constitutes a premise for the resumption or improvement of ecosystem functions and the use or reuse of the habitat by bat species.

Compared to the indicators mentioned in the technical plan, in 2021 and 2022 we additionally monitored the microbiological parameters of water in 35 representative points from a hydrogeographical point of view, taking into account the water inlets and outlets from the karst, the water circulation underground.

 

Monitoring the effects of actions on bat species

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Monitoring the effects of actions on bat species

We carried out bat monitoring activities during 2020, 2021,2022, 2023 and 2024, from the perspective of the effects of actions C1, C2 of restoration and decontamination of habitat 8310 on bat species. The activity of monitoring the occupation of habitat 8310 by bat species monitored the presence or absence of bat species in the cavities included in the project activities that were approved for carrying out conservation, decontamination and protection works, identifying the species present and the size of their populations.

The monitoring monitored the presence or absence of 14 bat species and was carried out through field trips, together with the monitoring of Habitat 8310 or/and separately from it.

In 2020, the presence of 9 species of bats was identified in 51 cavities, totaling a total of 536 individuals. Between 1 and 6 species of bats were identified per cavity, in the 51 cavities in which their presence was reported.

Following the monitoring activity, in 2021, the presence of 12 species of bats was identified, of which 9 species are part of the target species within the project. These were present in 55 cavities out of the 111 caves and caves monitored. In total, 1196 bat specimens were recorded, the bat species identified in the 2021 monitoring year are presented in the report.

In 2022, 34 cavities were identified in which the presence of hibernating bats was reported, 897 individuals, isolated individuals, pairs and in colonies, belonging to 12 species of bats. On 15.04.2022, we noted the presence of hibernating bats in the Ponor Uscata I Cave and Ponor Plopa, a fact explained by the climatic specifics of the spring of 2022, characterized by the extension of the period in which low temperatures were recorded.

In 2023, the presence of 14 species of bats was identified, of which 11 species are part of the target species within the project. These were present in 62 cavities out of the 111 monitored caves and caves. In total, 1182 bat specimens were recorded.

In 2024, the presence of 16 bat species was identified, of which 13 species are part of the target species within the project. They were present in 65 cavities of the 111 caves and caves monitored. In total, 1182 bat specimens were recorded.

The use and reuse of habitat 8310 by bat species depends on several factors, among the important factors we mention the ecology of the bat species, the conditions of the underground abiotic environment, access to the cavities, the availability of food and water sources in the vicinity of the cavities, as well as the presence or absence of anthropogenic disturbances on the habitat. As a result, maintaining cavity rehabilitation measures through conservation and decontamination activities carried out within the project constitutes an important premise for restoring the favorable conservation status of habitat 8310, improving ecosystem functions and reusing the habitat by bat species.

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Thematic conference NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR HABITAT CONSERVATION 8310, VÂRTOP Holiday Village, October 12 – 16, 2022

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During October 12 – 16, 2022, we participated in the National Speleology Congress, organized by the Cristal Oradea Speleology Club under the aegis of the Romanian Speleology Federation in the VÂRTOP Holiday Village, Bihor County in the Apuseni Natural Park, on the border between the Arieș and Crișuri river basins,
The first three days of the congress were organized visiting tours intended to document speleologists from the country and abroad in several of the caves in the area:. Zăpodie Cave, Avenul din Șesuri, Secătura Cave, Sighiștelului Valley and the Casa de Piatră area.
The congress continued with presentations, workshops, debates, scientific communications, exhibitions, and competitions.
Discussions took place on several topics of interest to speleologists: authorization of underground activities and approval of speleological activities, as well as institutional collaboration.
During the congress, our colleague – Laura Tîrla presented the results of the project with a focus on the restoration and decontamination of habitat 8310 from the Natura 2000 site Cheile Nerei-Beușnița (ROSCI0031).
During the congress, we exhibited information materials regarding the action plan for the conservation of habitat 8310 and the results of the project.

During the congress, the debates “Karst protection / Protected areas / Environmental legislation and regulations” and “SalvaSpeo in Romania. Legislative and regulatory news” also took place. Discussions were held on the current regulations regarding the access of cave rescue teams to caves and proposals for cave rescue services were presented. The representatives from the authorities were open to suggestions from the speleologists, with the discussions to be continued more applied and specific.

The general conclusion is that it highlights the need for collaboration between all the institutions present and that speleologists through the Romanian Speleology Federation can submit their proposals to the authorities in order to update the regulations in the field.

Representatives from the Biodiversity Directorate of the Ministry of Environment, the president of the National Agency for Protected Natural Areas (ANANP), the president of the Speleological Heritage Commission, the president of the Scientific Council – Apuseni Natural Park, as well as presidents of the speleology clubs that are members of the Romanian Speleology Federation (FRS) were present. According to the organizers, over 150 participants and 30 guests or partners from over 20 speleological clubs in the country and abroad or from relevant institutions in the field of speleological heritage protection and environmental protection were registered for the congress.

PARTOS SUMMER SCHOOL August 02-06, 2021

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PARTOȘ SUMMER SCHOOL August 02-06, 2021

COUNTY EDUCATIONAL PROJECT “GREEN GENERATION”

Approximately 90 children from preschool, primary and secondary schools experienced unforgettable moments in a socio-affective climate, capable of bringing back, in their midst, the wonderful realm of authentic childhood.

Between August 2-6, at the Cultural, Social and Educational Center “Gift from Gift” at the “Saint Hierarch Joseph the New” Monastery in the Timișoara town of Partoș, the educational project “Partoș Summer School” took place, this year with the generic title “Padre’s Gift of Light. In Memoriam – Hierarch. Varlaam Almajanu”.

Partoș Monastery and Semper Agape Association, in collaboration with the Timiș Environmental Protection Agency and several partner educational institutions, initiated a unique educational project, characterized by the diversity of group activities, renowned for improving interpersonal relationships and social interactions, for empathic resilience and flexibility, for cohesion and strengthening adaptability to crisis situations, as well as for breaking down various communication barriers.

After a long period, in which children spent countless hours in front of their computers or smartphones in online school, being deprived, due to the restrictions imposed in the context of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, of social closeness or the carrying out of teambuilding activities, specific for the interaction between participants.

The program included interactive activities and dynamic games with actors from the National Theater of Timișoara. Creative activities such as: customizing t-shirts, making dolls and bookmarks, stitching on gauze, dancing, watching movies. Gastronomy activities and good table manners

A real interest was shown by the ecological education activities: “Green Generation” (activity carried out in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency – Timiș); “3R” (reduce-reuse-recycle).

“The direct beneficiaries of this summer school are approximately 90 children from the localities of Banloc, Livezile, Ciacova and Petroman.

Not only teachers, but also volunteers from different fields of activity contributed to the smooth running of the program

2022 – Exchange of experience in ecological education, with schools from Romania, Italy, Spain and Turkey,

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28.06.2022 – Exchange of experience on ecological education, with schools from Romania, Italy, Spain and Turkey, involved in the “Hello, Dear Cli-Mates!” project, funded by the Erasums program, dedicated to students aged 10 to 13, which has as its main objective “Climate change and awareness of its effects”.

Climate change is a reality, and urgent measures need to be taken to limit its impact. The effects of climate change are manifested in all areas, including health, quality of life and accelerated loss of biodiversity.

Educational institutions have an important role in improving education and raising awareness among young people regarding awareness of the causes of climate change, adaptation and reduction of its impact.

During the visit, we discussed the importance of ecological education in schools and future collaborations within joint projects.

We discussed the activities carried out with the young people within the LIFE project, where we used the cave as a classroom. Teaching materials on the protection of caves and bats will be made available to teachers, in English, so that they can be presented in the schools participating in the project.

In addition, we presented to the teachers the fields of activity of the Timiș Environmental Protection Agency. Regarding the air quality monitoring activity, we explained how to determine the concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere through automatic air quality monitoring stations and the determination of the PM10 fraction, heavy metals by the gravimetric method in the laboratory.

We installed 110 information panels

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🪧We installed information panels at 110 caves in the Cheile Nerei – Beușnița National Park with a lot of effort and the desire to do good in society.

      

Information panels on waste management

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We installed information panels regarding waste management in key locations throughout the project area so as to discourage the abandonment of waste in nature.  

We protect caves, people and animals

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🇷🇴Results with EU support🇪🇺
👷‍♀️We unblocked the cave entrance blocked by shepherds and placed this grid that protects animals, people, bat species and the cave habitat.🤝🦇🐏🐴
❤️Thus, we ensure the favorable conservation status by restoring the surface, structure and functions of the habitat of 8310 caves inaccessible to the public🇪🇺.
✅️We apply conservation measures that support the national park administration with the aim of Romania’s compliance with the Habitats Directive🇷🇴.