METODOLOGIA PARA IDENTIFICAÇÃO DOS CORREDORES ECOLÓGICOS. ESTUDO DE CASO: PLANEJAMENTO PARA OS CORREDORES DO URSO PARDO NOS CÁRPATOS ROMANOS

Achieving an ecological connectivity of the existing protected areas can contribute both to avoiding landscape fragmentation and, consequently, preserving the environment, including the animal species which are most affected by human impacts, such as the brown bear. Provided that these large carnivores can move over long distances, it is very important to identify their migration corridors using specific methodologies. In the last decade, the habitat and ecosystems fragmentation has been noticeably increasing in the Carpathian ecological region. As a result, several attempts were made to develop appropriate approaches for identifying the ecological corridors of the brown bears, in order to include them in the spatial plans along with the appropriate zoning-based restrictions. This article aims at proposing a novel method, focused on identifying the ecological corridors used by the brown bear in the Romanian Carpathian. The study is very important because it implements the connectivity concept into the spatial planning practice, increasing its sustainability. The approach relies on developing a model based on specific parameters and using ArcGIS in conjunction with the CorridorDesign and Linkage Mapper applications. The crucial advantage of the method is that it addresses a very important spatial planning issue and is able to support the decision making processes in relationship to preserving biodiversity and ensuring the maintenance of ecosystems and their services. Its flexibility allows for adapting it to the particular restrictions of different planning systems. At the same time, the cross-cutting approach used for establishing the exact geographical location of ecological corridors is actually making connectivity an operational concept that can be used for drafting the spatial plans and, therefore, addressing jointly the perspectives of spatial planners and environmental conservationists, and eventually reconciling them. Last but not least, the integrated approach addresses the inter-dependency and interrelatedness of the natural and human systems. Further research is needed to improve the method, by translating it from the national scale to the local one, taking into consideration the existing specific terrain conditions and barriers, in order to obtain a more effective long-term protection.Lograr una conectividad ecológica de las áreas protegidas existentes puede contribuir tanto a evitar la fragmentación del paisaje como, en consecuencia, a preservar el medio ambiente, incluidas las especies animales más afectadas por los impactos humanos, como el oso pardo. Dado que estos grandes carnívoros pueden moverse largas distancias, es muy importante identificar sus corredores de migración utilizando metodologías específicas. En la última década, la fragmentación de hábitats y ecosistemas ha aumentado notablemente en la región ecológica de los Cárpatos. Como resultado, se hicieron varios intentos para desarrollar enfoques apropiados para identificar los corredores ecológicos de los osos pardos, a fin de incluirlos en los planes espaciales junto con las restricciones de zonificación adecuadas. Este artículo tiene como objetivo proponer un método novedoso, centrado en identificar los corredores ecológicos utilizados por el oso pardo en los Cárpatos rumanos. El estudio es muy importante porque implementa el concepto de conectividad en la práctica de planificación espacial, aumentando su sostenibilidad. El enfoque se basa en el desarrollo de un modelo basado en parámetros específicos y en el uso de ArcGIS junto con las aplicaciones CorridorDesign y Linkage Mapper. La ventaja crucial del método es que aborda un tema de planificación espacial muy importante y puede respaldar los procesos de toma de decisiones en relación con la preservación de la biodiversidad y la garantía del mantenimiento de los ecosistemas y sus servicios. Su flexibilidad permite adaptarlo a las restricciones particulares de los diferentes sistemas de planificación. Al mismo tiempo, el enfoque transversal utilizado para establecer la ubicación geográfica exacta de los corredores ecológicos está haciendo de la conectividad un concepto operativo que puede utilizarse para elaborar los planes espaciales y, por lo tanto, abordar conjuntamente las perspectivas de los planificadores espaciales y los conservacionistas ambientales. , y eventualmente reconciliarlos. Por último, pero no menos importante, el enfoque integrado aborda la interdependencia y la interrelación de los sistemas naturales y humanos. Se necesita más investigación para mejorar el método, traduciéndolo de la escala nacional a la local, teniendo en cuenta las condiciones específicas del terreno y las barreras existentes, con el fin de obtener una protección más eficaz a largo plazo.Alcançar uma conectividade ecológica das áreas protegidas existentes pode contribuir tanto para evitar a fragmentação da paisagem e, consequentemente, preservar o meio ambiente, incluindo as espécies animais mais afetadas pelos impactos humanos, como o urso pardo. Desde que esses grandes carnívoros possam se deslocar por longas distâncias, é muito importante identificar seus corredores de migração usando metodologias específicas. Na última década, a fragmentação de habitats e ecossistemas tem aumentado visivelmente na região ecológica dos Cárpatos. Como resultado, várias tentativas foram feitas para desenvolver abordagens apropriadas para identificar os corredores ecológicos dos ursos pardos, a fim de incluí-los nos planos espaciais juntamente com as restrições baseadas em zoneamento apropriadas. Este artigo tem como objetivo propor um novo método, focado na identificação dos corredores ecológicos utilizados pelo urso pardo nos Cárpatos da Romênia. O estudo é muito importante porque implementa o conceito de conectividade na prática do ordenamento do território, aumentando a sua sustentabilidade. A abordagem baseia-se no desenvolvimento de um modelo baseado em parâmetros específicos e usando ArcGIS em conjunto com os aplicativos CorridorDesign e Linkage Mapper. A vantagem crucial do método é que ele aborda uma questão de planejamento espacial muito importante e é capaz de apoiar os processos de tomada de decisão em relação à preservação da biodiversidade e garantia da manutenção dos ecossistemas e seus serviços. Sua flexibilidade permite adaptá-lo às restrições particulares de diferentes sistemas de planejamento. Ao mesmo tempo, a abordagem transversal utilizada para estabelecer a localização geográfica exata dos corredores ecológicos está, na verdade, tornando a conectividade um conceito operacional que pode ser utilizado para a elaboração dos planos espaciais e, portanto, abordando conjuntamente as perspectivas dos planejadores espaciais e conservacionistas ambientais , e eventualmente reconciliando-os. Por último, mas não menos importante, a abordagem integrada aborda a interdependência e inter-relação dos sistemas naturais e humanos. Mais pesquisas são necessárias para aprimorar o método, traduzindo-o da escala nacional para a local, levando em consideração as condições e barreiras específicas do terreno existentes, a fim de obter uma proteção mais eficaz a longo prazo

METODOLOGIA PARA IDENTIFICAÇÃO DOS CORREDORES ECOLÓGICOS. ESTUDO DE CASO: PLANEJAMENTO PARA OS CORREDORES DO URSO PARDO NOS CÁRPATOS ROMANOS

Achieving an ecological connectivity of the existing protected areas can contribute both to avoiding landscape fragmentation and, consequently, preserving the environment, including the animal species which are most affected by human impacts, such as the brown bear. Provided that these large carnivores can move over long distances, it is very important to identify their migration corridors using specific methodologies. In the last decade, the habitat and ecosystems fragmentation has been noticeably increasing in the Carpathian ecological region. As a result, several attempts were made to develop appropriate approaches for identifying the ecological corridors of the brown bears, in order to include them in the spatial plans along with the appropriate zoning-based restrictions. This article aims at proposing a novel method, focused on identifying the ecological corridors used by the brown bear in the Romanian Carpathian. The study is very important because it implements the connectivity concept into the spatial planning practice, increasing its sustainability. The approach relies on developing a model based on specific parameters and using ArcGIS in conjunction with the CorridorDesign and Linkage Mapper applications. The crucial advantage of the method is that it addresses a very important spatial planning issue and is able to support the decision making processes in relationship to preserving biodiversity and ensuring the maintenance of ecosystems and their services. Its flexibility allows for adapting it to the particular restrictions of different planning systems. At the same time, the cross-cutting approach used for establishing the exact geographical location of ecological corridors is actually making connectivity an operational concept that can be used for drafting the spatial plans and, therefore, addressing jointly the perspectives of spatial planners and environmental conservationists, and eventually reconciling them. Last but not least, the integrated approach addresses the inter-dependency and interrelatedness of the natural and human systems. Further research is needed to improve the method, by translating it from the national scale to the local one, taking into consideration the existing specific terrain conditions and barriers, in order to obtain a more effective long-term protection.Lograr una conectividad ecológica de las áreas protegidas existentes puede contribuir tanto a evitar la fragmentación del paisaje como, en consecuencia, a preservar el medio ambiente, incluidas las especies animales más afectadas por los impactos humanos, como el oso pardo. Dado que estos grandes carnívoros pueden moverse largas distancias, es muy importante identificar sus corredores de migración utilizando metodologías específicas. En la última década, la fragmentación de hábitats y ecosistemas ha aumentado notablemente en la región ecológica de los Cárpatos. Como resultado, se hicieron varios intentos para desarrollar enfoques apropiados para identificar los corredores ecológicos de los osos pardos, a fin de incluirlos en los planes espaciales junto con las restricciones de zonificación adecuadas. Este artículo tiene como objetivo proponer un método novedoso, centrado en identificar los corredores ecológicos utilizados por el oso pardo en los Cárpatos rumanos. El estudio es muy importante porque implementa el concepto de conectividad en la práctica de planificación espacial, aumentando su sostenibilidad. El enfoque se basa en el desarrollo de un modelo basado en parámetros específicos y en el uso de ArcGIS junto con las aplicaciones CorridorDesign y Linkage Mapper. La ventaja crucial del método es que aborda un tema de planificación espacial muy importante y puede respaldar los procesos de toma de decisiones en relación con la preservación de la biodiversidad y la garantía del mantenimiento de los ecosistemas y sus servicios. Su flexibilidad permite adaptarlo a las restricciones particulares de los diferentes sistemas de planificación. Al mismo tiempo, el enfoque transversal utilizado para establecer la ubicación geográfica exacta de los corredores ecológicos está haciendo de la conectividad un concepto operativo que puede utilizarse para elaborar los planes espaciales y, por lo tanto, abordar conjuntamente las perspectivas de los planificadores espaciales y los conservacionistas ambientales. , y eventualmente reconciliarlos. Por último, pero no menos importante, el enfoque integrado aborda la interdependencia y la interrelación de los sistemas naturales y humanos. Se necesita más investigación para mejorar el método, traduciéndolo de la escala nacional a la local, teniendo en cuenta las condiciones específicas del terreno y las barreras existentes, con el fin de obtener una protección más eficaz a largo plazo.Alcançar uma conectividade ecológica das áreas protegidas existentes pode contribuir tanto para evitar a fragmentação da paisagem e, consequentemente, preservar o meio ambiente, incluindo as espécies animais mais afetadas pelos impactos humanos, como o urso pardo. Desde que esses grandes carnívoros possam se deslocar por longas distâncias, é muito importante identificar seus corredores de migração usando metodologias específicas. Na última década, a fragmentação de habitats e ecossistemas tem aumentado visivelmente na região ecológica dos Cárpatos. Como resultado, várias tentativas foram feitas para desenvolver abordagens apropriadas para identificar os corredores ecológicos dos ursos pardos, a fim de incluí-los nos planos espaciais juntamente com as restrições baseadas em zoneamento apropriadas. Este artigo tem como objetivo propor um novo método, focado na identificação dos corredores ecológicos utilizados pelo urso pardo nos Cárpatos da Romênia. O estudo é muito importante porque implementa o conceito de conectividade na prática do ordenamento do território, aumentando a sua sustentabilidade. A abordagem baseia-se no desenvolvimento de um modelo baseado em parâmetros específicos e usando ArcGIS em conjunto com os aplicativos CorridorDesign e Linkage Mapper. A vantagem crucial do método é que ele aborda uma questão de planejamento espacial muito importante e é capaz de apoiar os processos de tomada de decisão em relação à preservação da biodiversidade e garantia da manutenção dos ecossistemas e seus serviços. Sua flexibilidade permite adaptá-lo às restrições particulares de diferentes sistemas de planejamento. Ao mesmo tempo, a abordagem transversal utilizada para estabelecer a localização geográfica exata dos corredores ecológicos está, na verdade, tornando a conectividade um conceito operacional que pode ser utilizado para a elaboração dos planos espaciais e, portanto, abordando conjuntamente as perspectivas dos planejadores espaciais e conservacionistas ambientais , e eventualmente reconciliando-os. Por último, mas não menos importante, a abordagem integrada aborda a interdependência e inter-relação dos sistemas naturais e humanos. Mais pesquisas são necessárias para aprimorar o método, traduzindo-o da escala nacional para a local, levando em consideração as condições e barreiras específicas do terreno existentes, a fim de obter uma proteção mais eficaz a longo prazo

METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE ROMANIAN FUNCTIONAL URBAN AREAS USING GIS AND LAU 2 TERRITORIAL INDICATORS

The territorial dimension of the European convergence policy is represented by polycentricity. The main challenge in promoting a polycentric and balanced territorial development is represented by an accurate delineation of the functional urban areas. Effective development strategies require the extension of functional areas to be scientifically defined as a critical mass. According to several studies, Functional Urban / Metropolitan Areas can be determined based on the number of commuters going to the core city, in different shares of the total economically active population. The evaluation of the polycentric development of the network of settlements in Romania is hampered by the lack of reliable data on the number of commuters at the settlement level. The indicator is not statistically monitored and consequently misses from the list of indicators quantified by the National Institute of Statistics. Therefore, the present study has as main purpose to identify the Functional Urban Areas in Romania for cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants. The methodology is based on the statistical support of ArcGIS 10.3 and on analyses based on indicators such as population and number of employees (absolute values and dynamics) at the level of settlements (LAU 2). The results of the study consist of mapping the functional urban areas of the large Romanian cities, which allows an assessment of the legally constituted metropolitan areas of Romania

Methodology for Identifying Ecological Corridors: A Spatial Planning Perspective

Recent studies carried out by landscape and urban ecologists have shown that habitat fragmentation has negative environmental effects and is accountable for the loss of biodiversity. The development and extension of road infrastructure to support economic growth, the urbanization and the land-use changes are major drivers of habitat fragmentation. Planners have attempted to develop tools for restoring connectivity and stopping biodiversity loss at the landscape scale and which can be applied at the urban scale, too. The study fills in the gap by developing a methodology for identifying the ecological corridors of a Romanian large carnivore (brown bear) in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains at several spatial scales. The methodology relies on geospatial data; this is equally its most important advantage and challenge. Our findings suggest that the implementation of ecological corridors in current planning practice must be completed cautiously, provided the possible restrictions are imposed on economic activities by plans, and highlight the importance of field data in increasing the scientific soundness of the results. In addition, the findings show the need to interconnect spatial planning policies with environmental policies by improving the actual legislation

Methodology for Identifying Ecological Corridors: A Spatial Planning Perspective

Recent studies carried out by landscape and urban ecologists have shown that habitat fragmentation has negative environmental effects and is accountable for the loss of biodiversity. The development and extension of road infrastructure to support economic growth, the urbanization and the land-use changes are major drivers of habitat fragmentation. Planners have attempted to develop tools for restoring connectivity and stopping biodiversity loss at the landscape scale and which can be applied at the urban scale, too. The study fills in the gap by developing a methodology for identifying the ecological corridors of a Romanian large carnivore (brown bear) in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains at several spatial scales. The methodology relies on geospatial data; this is equally its most important advantage and challenge. Our findings suggest that the implementation of ecological corridors in current planning practice must be completed cautiously, provided the possible restrictions are imposed on economic activities by plans, and highlight the importance of field data in increasing the scientific soundness of the results. In addition, the findings show the need to interconnect spatial planning policies with environmental policies by improving the actual legislation

Evaluation of essential oil and hydrolate from a new hyssop variety (Hyssopus officinalis L.)

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of essential oil (EO) and hydrolate (HY) obtained from a new Romanian variety of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L., Lamiaceae family), namely ‘Cătălin’. The chemical composition and the concentration of the compounds was established by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The main constituents identified in hyssop EO and HY were cis-pinocamphone (34.63% and 67.00%), trans-pinocamphone (11.72% and 14.58%), thujenol (1.39% and 6.05%). The evaluation of the antioxidant capacity was performed by three methods (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP), EO proving a higher oxidizing activity compared to HY one. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was evaluated in vitro, in order to detect its ability to inhibit G- phytopathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas syringae) and plant pathogenic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum). Eugenol, linalool and estragole standards were used as reference volatile compounds. Regarding Pseudomonas syringae (LMG5090) bacterium, assays showed that hyssop oil does not inhibit its growth. Estragole and eugenol showed pronounced antibacterial activity in all tested concentrations, both in the first 24 hours of incubation and after 3 days. Linalool instead has bacteriostatic activity only at high concentrations (50% and 100%), an inhibitory activity that is maintained only in the first 24 hours of incubation. The results obtained against Fusarium oxysporum reveal that the EO tested has no fungicidal activity but only fungistatic, and it is able to delay mycelial growth and the degree of inhibition depending on the concentration used

Serum Amino Acid Profiling in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Insights from a Single-Center Study in Southern Romania

The objective of this study was to analyze the serum amino acid profile in children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in southern Romania. The analysis aimed to provide insights into the underlying metabolic dysregulations associated with ASD. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, communication deficits, and restricted repetitive behaviors. Although the exact cause of ASD is largely unknown, recent evidence suggests that abnormalities in amino acid metabolism may contribute to its pathogenesis. Therefore, studying the amino acid profile in children with ASD could offer valuable information for understanding the metabolic disturbances associated with this complex disorder. This single-center study examined serum samples from children diagnosed with ASD, utilizing advanced analytical techniques to quantify the levels of different amino acids, amino acid derivatives, and amino acid-like substances. The results showed a lower level of taurine and a higher level of asparagine and leucine in the ASD group versus the control group. In the ASD group, we observed significant differences in tryptophan and alpha-aminobutyric acid levels based on age, with higher tryptophan levels in children older than 7 years when compared to children younger than 7 years; however, no significant correlations were found with the ASD group older than 7 years old. Additionally, younger children with ASD exhibited higher levels of alpha-aminobutyric acid than older children with ASD. The findings from this study contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the metabolic aspects of ASD, highlighting potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improving the management and treatment of ASD in children