Ponds in Romania - need and recommendations for improvement of legal protection

Abstract

The importance that small water bodies, most often called ponds, have in preserving unique biodiversity and providing unique ecosystem services is well known in the scientific world. Many ponds are present on the territory of Romania, which, due to weak rural development in the last century, remained preserved. Today, many of these ponds are protected at the national level, as part of larger territories as protected areas, and at the international level, applying the laws of the European Union. However, a more efficient implementation of by-laws is needed to ensure the complete protection of these fragile aquatic habitats and replace the incomplete legal protection of EU directives related to habitats. Awareness raising and education about the importance of ponds is needed among the immediate users of the areas where these small waters are located. Furthermore, it is necessary to regulate and stimulate the collaboration of relevant stakeholders. Recommendations for improving the legal and practical protection of ponds at the landscape level are given