NATURA 2000 SITES PROPOSALS FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY INTEREST CYCLOSTOMATA FISH SPECIES CONSERVATION (ROMANIA)

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1 Acta Oecologica Carpatica I NATURA 2000 SITES PROPOSALS FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY INTEREST CYCLOSTOMATA FISH SPECIES CONSERVATION (ROMANIA) Doru BĂNĂDUC 1 KEYWORDS: Romanian Carpathians, Eudontomyzon danfordi, Eudontomyzon mariae, and Eudontomyzon vladykovi, sites of Community importance, Biogeographic seminars. ABSTRACT This paper data were obtained for the Biogeographic Seminars for Romania and Bulgaria which was in Sibiu/Romania 2007, arguments for the proposal of some Natura 2000 sites (SCI), for the conservation of the species belonging to the Cyclotomata Class, Petromyzonidae Family, in the Romanian Carpathians, based on personal knowledge of the author no older than five years. For each of these three fish species of European conservative interest (Eudontomyzon danfordi, Eudontomyzon mariae and Eudontomyzon vladykovi) were offered data regarding their: general information, sites/lotic sectors proposed for the Natura 2000 net, status of conservation, conservative objectives and future necessary studies. REZUMAT: Propuneri de situri Natura 2000 pentru conservarea unor specii de peşti Cyclostomata de interes comunitar (România). Datele din această lucrare au fost obţinute pentru Seminariile Biogeografice Pentru fiecare dintre aceste specii de inres conservativ europen (Eudontomyzon pentru România şi Bulgaria care au avut loc danfordi, Eudontomyzon mariae şi la Sibiu/România 2007, argumente în Eudontomyzon vladykovi) sunt prezentate favoarea desemnării unor situri Natura 2000 (SCI), pentru conservarea speciilor din informaţii de ordin general, situri/sectoare lotice propuse pentru reţeaua Natura 2000, Carpaţii Româneşti aparţinând clasei stare de conservare, obiective de conservare, Cyclotomata, familia Petromyzonidae, necesitatea unor studii vitoare. bazate pe cunoştinţe ale autorului din ultimii cinci ani. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Vorschläge betreffend Natura 2000 Gebiete für Fische Cyclostomata von gemeinschaftlichem Interesse (Rumänien). Die vorliegende Arbeit hat zum Ziel für die Biogeographischen Seminare für Rumänien und Bulgarien, die 2007 in Sibiu/Rumänien stattfinden werden, Argumente zu Gunsten von Vorschlägen zur Ausweisung von Natura 2000 Gebieten zu bringen, die sich insbesondere auf die in Rumänien vorkommenden Arten der Klasse Cyclostomata (Rundmäuler), Familie Petromyzonidae beziehen und sich auf Daten stützen, die nicht älter als fünf Jahre sind. Für jede dieser Arten (Eudontomyzon danfordi, Eudontomyzon mariae und Eudontomyzon vladykovi) werden allgemeine Informationen geliefert sowie Daten zu den für das Netzwerk Natura 2000 vorgeschlagenen Gebieten /lotischen Abschnitten, über Zustand, Schutzziele und die Notwendigkeit weiterer Untersuchungen. Natura 2000 sites proposal regarding Cyclstomata species in Romania; 83/88 pp

2 Acta Oecol. Carpat. I. INTRODUCTION The main objectives of the European Community in the environmental field are the conservation, the protection and the improvement of the environment quality, in the condition of the rationale use of the existing natural resources. The biodiversity conservation constituted an important task of the European Union in the last 25 years. To elaborate its environmental policies the European Community takes in consideration the scientifically and technical available information, the environmental conditions characteristic for different regions of the Community and the need for an equilibrated development of all regions, the benefits involved and the costs involved. The EC action frame, to preserve the biodiversity was established through the Council Directives (92/43/EEC) on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. This European Directive have as objective to protect and sustain biodiversity in the EU through a network of protected areas (Nature 2000), in which to conserve habitats and species characteristic for the European biogeographic regions. Romania contributes to the European Natural heritage with around: 47% of the territory covered by natural and semi natural ecosystems; 780 types of habitats; 3700 superior plant, invertebrate and 717 vertebrates species (Bănăduc, 2001). Romania is the country with the highest biogeographic diversity of the European Union countries and the country which will join the European Union in 2007, with five biogeographic regions: continental, alpine, pannonic, pontic and stepic (Bănăduc and Florescu, 2007). MATERIALS AND METHODS This report is based on original data, no older than five years. Different samplings methods were used for fish capture: angling, diffent types of nets and electric fishing. This group include threatened and in regres species, that's why the sampled fish were released imediately after their identificaton in the same place where they were captured due to obviously conservative reasons. There are few ways through which the Nature 2000 initiative in Romania can improve the nature protection: extension of the natural areas; the correct management plans; institutional capacity building; involvement of only proper educated and trained personel; raising awareness. One important aspect of the implementation of the Directives is the establishment of a network of protected sites called Natura 2000 in Romania. The author have done already some scientifical works regarding other fish species of European conservative interest for the potential Natura 2000 sites frame designation and/or management (Bănăduc, 2001; Bănăduc, 2006; Bănăduc, 2007a, b, c; Curtean-Bănăduc and Florescu, 2007). This work being regarding the Cyclosomata taxonomical group on the Romanian territory. This paper can be considered as a part of the proposal for Natura 2000 sites of community importance (SCIs) for fish (Cyclostomata/Petromyzonidae) species based on the author original data and meeting the scientific as well as the European Union criteria for Natura 2000 site selection. This work shouldn't be considered complete, new future inputs being wellcome. The author hope that these data will consist a part of the Romanian proposals at the Biogeographical seminars, as a part of the dynamic adaptation of the Natura 2000 network across Europe, trying to avoid that Romania do not propose sufficient sites to meet the Directive 92/43/EEC requirements for this taxonomic group species. Few site selection criteria were used: well preserved fish (of Community interest - oci) populations; stable fish (oci) populations; healthy fish (oci) populations; typical natural habitats (oci); low human impact; favorable geographical position for the species spreading in more than one hydrographic watersheds; best option for species/habitat (oci) in relation with the future Nature 2000 areas management D. Bănăduc

3 ActaOecologica Carpatica I RESULTS Eudontomyzon mariae (Berg, 1931) - Nature 2000 code 2484 (Cicar, Ukrainian brook lamprey, Ukrainische lamprete, Lamproie d'ucraine) General fact sheet. The body is cylindrical in its anterior part. The body height represents % of the total length. The two dorsal fins have a space between them and are not tall. In June, immediately before the reproduction period the two dorsal fins grow and touch one to another. The adult s individuals are dark brown on their back with light brown sides and the ventral face silver coloured. There are some individuals which are almost black. This species is living in mountainous rivers. The reproduction period is between June - July period. The larvae are living long periods of time in mud. The metamorphosis happened in autumn. (Bănărescu, 1969; Oţel, 2007). In Romania has a relatively low spreading area and can be considered as a species with a high vulnerability. The species is protected by: Bern Convention, European Habiats Directive 92/43, IUCN Red List, OUG 57/2007. Proposed sites. The relatively short lotic sectors with proper ecologic conditions for this noncomercial species, and the posibility to be wrongly identified make it a species characterised in general by old and sometimes triky information, reason for which new samppling campagnes were necessary. As a result of such field campaigns in the last five years, in this paper some Natura 2000 sites or part of sites/sectors can be proposed: Gilort River (Jiu River watershead); main stream and its tributaries between 550 and 800 m altitude; Cisnădiei River main stream between m altitude; Lotrioara River main stream between 600 and 900 m altitude; Argeş River main stream and its tributaries (Vâlsan, Râul Doamnei, Râuşor, Brătia, Râul Târgului), between 600 and 1100 m altitude, one or two of these rivers being sufficient to be protect for this species in this watershed; Buzău River main stream between 600 and 700 m altitude; Moldova River main stream and its tributaries between 700 and 1000 m altitude; Suceava River main stream and its tributaries between 500 and 900 m altitude. Eudontomyzon mariae can be considered a criticaly endangered species, of which conservation (Tab. 1) is of high importance in the present. Table 1: Generic conservation objectives for the Eudontomyzon mariae species. Attribute Acceptable limits Adult population No decline in density under the value of one individual at 50m 2. density At least three year-classes should be present at significant densities. Age structure At least 75% of the population should consist of 3+ fish individuals River ecological state good. Oligo-ß-mesosaprobic. Strict phisico-chemical Habitat quality - pollution control. water Carpathian Fish - Index of Biotic Integrity scoring minimum 36. River morphology Hydrology Substrate No artificial barriers constraining essential fish movements. No artificial river bed and river banks. No riverbed sand, rocks and boulders exploitation. Maintain natural liquid and solid water flow regime and depth. No artificial river bed. Natural river bed. species. One important missing steping stone/s should be possible to be find by future ichtiological studies in the middle part of the Eastern Romanian Carpathians. Including the above mentioned lotic sectors in the Natura 2000 network can be asured the best posible (based on actual data) coverage and conectivity for this fish Natura 2000 sites proposal regarding Cyclstomata species in Romania; 83/88 pp

4 Acta Oecol. Carpat. I. Eudontomyzon vladykovi (Oliva and Zanandrea, 1959) - Nature 2000 code 2485 (Cicar, River lamprey, Lamproie de riviere, Donau-Bachneunauge). Fact sheet. The maximum body height represent % of its total lenght. The two dorsal fins are tall and one near another. The body is slightly narrowed in its anterior part. The adults colour is dark grey with a whitish ventral face. The adults reach mm. (Bănărescu, 1969) This species living in the mountainous zone, in a very restricted area in Romania. The metamorphosis is happen in autumn. The adults are no feeding. The reproduction period is June - July, period after which the adults die. (Bănărescu, 1969) In Romania it can be considered as a species with a high degree of vulnerability. The species is protected by: Low 13/1993, Bern Convention, European Directive 92/43, and Low 462/2001. Proposed sites. The relatively short lotic sectors and extremely few areas with proper ecologic conditions for this noncomercial species, and the posibility to be wrongly identified make it a species characterised in general by old and sometimes triky information (in fact, till now, the lack of recent studies make a lot of the specialists to belive that this species exist no more in Romania) reasons for which new samppling campagnes were highly necessary. As a result of such field campaigns in the last five years, in this paper some Natura 2000 sites or part of sites/sectors can be proposed: Bistra Bouţarului River main stream and tributaries between 500 and 750 m altitude; Upper Timiş River main stream and tributaries between 450 and 900 m altitude. Eudontomyzon vladykovi is the most critically endangered species of the Cyclostomata Class on the Romanian territory, of which conservation (Tab. 2) is extremely urgent and serious in the present. Table 2: Generic conservation objectives for the Eudontomyzon vladykovi species in the proposed areas. Atribute Acceptable limits Adult population No decline in density under the value of one individual at 50m 2. density At least three year-classes should be present at significant densities. Age structure At least 75% of the population should consist of 3+ fish individuals. River ecological state good. Oligo-ß-mesosaprobic. Strict phisicochemical pollution control.. Habitat quality - water Carpathian Fish - Index of Biotic Integrity scoring minimum 43. No artificial barriers constraining essential fish movements. River morphology No artificial river bed and river banks. No riverbed sand, rocks and boulders exploitation.. Hydrology Maintain natural liquid and solid water flow regime and depth. Substrate character No artificial river bed. Natural river bed. Riverine habitat Natural vegetation (including trees) associations presence. character Monitoring Seasonly integrated monitoring. Important missing stepping stones for an optimum connectivity should exist to the southern Romanian and Serbian areas of interest. More research in these areas should be done in this respect in the near future! D. Bănăduc

5 ActaOecologica Carpatica I Eudontomyzon danfordi (Regan, 1911) - Nature 2000 code Fact sheet. The body is relatively compressed laterally in the anterior region. The body height represents % of the total length. The two dorsal fins have a space between them, space which represent % of the body length. The first dorsal fin is not tall and rounded, the second one is taller. The adults are dark grey; the ventral side is yellow-white. This species is living in mountainous rivers. The larvae eat invertebrates and the adult fish. (Bănărescu, 1969) In Romania has a relatively large spreading area. There were registered reductions in its area of spreading due to the human impact. The presence of this fish in rivers/rivers sectors is unequal due to its relation with slow moving muddy areas in which the larvae stay. In Romania it can be considered as a species with a medium vulnerability. The species is protected by: Low 13/1993, Bern Convention, European Directive 92/43, and OUG 57/2007. Eudontomyzon danfordy can be considered an endangered species, of which conservation (Tab. 3) is important in the present. Proposed sites. The relatively short lotic sectors with good ecologic conditions for this noncomercial species, and the posibility to be wrongly identified make it a species characterised in general by old and triky information, reasons for which new samppling campagnes were necessary. As a result of such field campaigns in the last five years, in this paper some Natura 2000 sites or part of sites/sectors can be proposed: Vişeu River main stream between 700 and 1000 m altitudes; Someşul Mare River main stream m altitude, Sălăuţa River (Someşul Mare River watershed) main stream between 650 and 900 m altitude; Mureş main stream and the tributaries m altitude; Târnava Mare River main stream m altitude; Sebeş River main stream (Mureş river watershed) m altitudes; Râul Orăştiei main stream and the tributaries (Mureş river watershed) m altitude, Cerna hunedoreană main stream (Mureş river watershed) m altitude; Crişul Repede m altitude, Crişul Negru m altitude; Upper Timiş River main stream and tributaries between 450 and 900 m altitude; Caraş Table 3: Generic conservation objectives for the Eudontomyzon danfordy species in the proposed areas. Atribute Acceptable limits Adult population No decline in density under the value of one individual at 50m 2. density At least three year-classes should be present at significant densities. Age structure At least 75% of the population should consist of 3+ fish individuals. River ecological state good. Oligo-ß-mesosaprobic. Strict phisicochemical pollution control. Habitat quality - water Carpathian Fish - Index of Biotic Integrity scoring minimum 36. No artificial barriers constraining essential fish movements. River morphology No artificial river bed and river banks. No riverbed sand, rocks and boulders exploitation. Hydrology Maintain natural liquid and solid water flow regime and depth. Substrate character No artificial river bed. Natural river bed. Riverine habitat Natural vegetation (including trees) associations. Monitoring Seasonly integrated monitoring. Including the above mentioned lotic sectors in the Natura 2000 network can be asured its improvement. More research can also improve this proposals. Natura 2000 sites proposal regarding Cyclstomata species in Romania; 83/88 pp

6 Acta Oecol. Carpat. I. CONCLUSIONS The presented data should be used in the Biogeographical Semiars process of designation the Natura 2000 net in Romania due to their importance in terms of valuable populations, coverage and conectivity. Of course a national wide task like this can not be fulfilled by one or some of the Romanian ichtiologists, all of them being necesary to be bring together, action which unfortunately was not happened at least till this moment, a lack of coordination or understanding of the situation which can induce a lack of data in the construction of a proper Natura 2000 net in Romania. All the studied species present important problems in terms of their conservation in the last decades and urgent protection actions should be proceed in the field by proper specialists, at the national level now! AKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author thank to the NGO Ecotur Sibiu and WWF-DCP which support this study. REFERENCES Bănăduc D., 2006 Preinventory for a draft list of Natura 2000 (SCI) sites for fish species, edited by Bureau Waardenburg and Ameco Holand, 62 p. Bănăduc D., 2007a Fish of Natura 2000 network interest in Romania, in Romanian NATURA 2000 NGO Coalition contribution for the SCIs designation, Eds. Curtean-Bănăduc Angela and Florescu Florentina, Ed. Alma Mater Sibiu, ISBN , pp. Bănăduc D., 2007b Alosa pontica; A. tanaica; Aspius aspius; Barbus meridionalis; Cobitis tenia; Gobio albipinntus; G. kessleri; G. uranoscopus; Misgurnus fossilis; in Combroux, I., Thiry, E. And Toia, T. (eds.) Caiet de habitate şi specii, Edit. Balcanic. Timişoara, România, ISBN , pp. Bănăduc D., 2007c Important area for fish - Natura 2000 (SCI) for Gobio albipinnatus Lukasch, 1933 species in the Danube Delta (Romania), Acta Oecologica, Vol. XIV, pp Bănăduc D., 2001 Specii de peşti dulcicoli şi migratori în mediul dulcicol, de interes comunitar, prezente în România, în Natura 2000 în România. Conservarea speciilor şi habitatelor acvatice, coordonator Curtean-Bănăduc Angela, Editura Alma Mater Sibiu, ISBN , pp Bănărescu P. M., 1969 Fauna R. S. R., Cyclostomata şi Chondrichthyes, vol. XII, fasc. 1, Editura Academiei R. S. R., p , Bucureşti, România. Oţel V., 2007 Atlasul peştilor din Rezervaţia Biosferei Delta Dunării, pp Ed. Centrul de Informare Tehnologică Delta Dunării, Tulcea, România. *** Bern Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and Natural Habitats reaties/html/104-3.htm *** OUG 57/2007 pivind regimul ariilor naturale protejate, conservarea habitatelor naturale, a florei şi faunei. *** IUCN The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. AUTHOR: 1 Doru BĂNĂDUC banaduc@yahoo.com "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Ecology and Environment Protection, Dr. Ion. Raţiu Street, no. 5-7, Sibiu, Sibiu County, Romania, RO D. Bănăduc