Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

There are approximately 15,000 species of animal. The Botanical Garden (Institute) of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova has a plant genetic fund of about 11 thousand species [ ] 187 The expansion of protected areas and ecotourism Since adoption of the CBD, the Republic of Moldova made great efforts to expand its protected areas, resulting in a booming ecotourism industry. The extent of protected areas (PAs), before the wetlands were taken under protection for their international importance, was just under 2 per cent of territory. The largest expansion of protected natural areas was done in 2006, with the inclusion of the RAMSAR Wet- lands of International Importance, and especially the Lower Prut Lakes, Lower Nistru and Unguri-Holoşniţa districts, which increased the per- centage of protected natural areas up to 4.65 per cent. The foundation, in 2013, of the Orhei National Park resulted in the expansion of the total surface of protected natural areas, to almost 6 per cent of national territory. Several state institutions and NGOs actively participated in the expansion. The Republic received essential support from the Global Environ- ment Facility by implementing the project: “Improving Coverage and Management Effectiveness of the Protected Areas System in Moldova,” conducted between 2009–2013. A set of recommendations were proposed regarding the elaboration of statutes and objectives of management of natural protected areas according to the IUCN practices. The result was an increase in the interest of ecotour- ism, as the number of visitors to PAs increased from 6,266 in 2008 to 9,020 in 2010. Ecotourists increasingly ap- preciate places where natural resourc- es are protected, with tourists being beneficiaries of cultural services such as landscape and recreation. Most tourists are attracted by the beautiful landscapes, rich flora and traditions kept in the Moldovan villages. Undisturbed ecosystems will continue to attract tourists while their willingness to pay for biodiver- sity conservation is increasing. The ecotourism sector is estimated to have a total value of US$5.9 million in 2011 and a projected value of US$79.8 million in sustainable ecosystem management services. In 2011, the contribution of ecotourism at national GDP was estimated at US$7.9 million. In 2011, both the public and the pri- vate sector benefited from the values of ecosystem services. For example, 13 per cent of the value was earned for the national budget, while 78 per cent (US$4.6 million) was earned by private enterprises. Capital invest- ment from international sources has been US$1.4 million, along with the creation of some 1,400 full-time jobs. Lonely Tree Republic of Moldova B iodiversity in the Republic of Moldova is conditioned by its geographic position. Its territory is situated at the junction of three biogeographic zones: Central-European, represented by the Central Moldovan Plateau (maximal height 430m) with the largest forests in the country (codru woods), and where communities of important spontaneous plants and wild animals are preserved; Eurasian, represented by forest steppes and steppes regions; and Mediterranean, represented by fragments of xerophyte forest steppe in the south of the country. Many populations are situated at the extremes of the natural areas of species, which increases vulnerability to climate change. Liviuss76 on flickr