**5. Key species of terrestrial and aquatic area of the Prut river**

The key species are represented by plants, butterflies, fish and birds [4].

*Plants*: the *Tamarix ramoissima* occurs on virgin soil habitats along the lower Prut. This area also offers narrow riparian pioneer arcas that are favorable to white willow (*Salix alba*) succession. The water chestnut (*Trapa natans*) occurs on the lower Prut, due to water eutrophication it has dramatically decreased and counts among the Red List species of this area.

*Butterflies:* the distribution map of the *Large Copper* shows many occurrences along the central Prut valley, a continuous occurrence along the whole river is very probable. The occurrence of the *Danubian Purple Emperor* is very probable for the lower Prut, because it has been found in the both adjacent lower Siret floodplain and the Danube Delta.

*Fish: European mud-minnow* occurs on the lower Prut where the floodplains provide sufficient adequate habitats. *Blue bream* occurs regularly in the river downstream of the dam Stanca Costesti (a well-operating communication between the river and floodplain waters is guaranteed in this section). *Crucian carp* and *mud load* occur in the lower river, where adequate aquatic habitats for the Crucian carp have been preserved.

*Birds:* about the *White-tailed eagle* there is no breeding occurrence on the Prut.

134 Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization in a Diverse World

hardwoods).

area.

ecological reconstruction [3].

With regard to forests diversity, different kinds of wood trees can be found which are mostly specific for *silvostepa,* with alternation of plains, hills and forests. The structure of species composition is the following: *resinous trees* 30% (spruce fir, fir, pine tree and others) and *deciduous trees*-70% (fagus, representatives of Querqus family., different soft and

Owing to the Law no 18/1991 (also called *Land Restitution Law*) within the Galati county a

The percent of forestation within the county is very low about 8% of the county total surface, being necessary to increase the forest surface through the forestry plans works or through

Along the lower Prut river there is a forested corridor very well preserved and managed with typical tree species, playing a multifunctional role. Forest functions have actually diversified over time and as a result forest management practices are increasingly having to meet multipurpose requirements including such environmental functions as sustainability nature conservation and water buffer zone for flood management, as well as community

With regard to the fauna, the most specific species are determined by the *steppe* and *silvostepa* zones. The most comune are rabbits, around squirrel, hamster and many others. From the bird's family can be mentioned bustard, quail, partridge and large types of flying birds. As representatives from other faunistic families can be mentioned fox, wolf, wild boar, as well as dear, squirrels, etc. There is a number of species (flora, fauna and forests) and locations which have been protected by law starting from 1930, which are organized as

The economic, activities in the region during the last several decades deteriorated the environmental balance in the basin area. Urbanization, industrial development, intensive agricultural practices, high density of railway and road networks, new reservoirs and other hydrotechnical works in the flood plain of the river, brought about a considerable loss of floodplain habitat and wetlands. Prut River management and rehabilitation of the cross-

*Plants*: the *Tamarix ramoissima* occurs on virgin soil habitats along the lower Prut. This area also offers narrow riparian pioneer arcas that are favorable to white willow (*Salix alba*) succession. The water chestnut (*Trapa natans*) occurs on the lower Prut, due to water eutrophication it has dramatically decreased and counts among the Red List species of this

*Butterflies:* the distribution map of the *Large Copper* shows many occurrences along the central Prut valley, a continuous occurrence along the whole river is very probable. The

surface of 5,283 ha was given back to the former land forest owners.

(recreation, culture and aesthetics) and production functions.

border wetlands can only be approached internationally.

**5. Key species of terrestrial and aquatic area of the Prut river** 

The key species are represented by plants, butterflies, fish and birds [4].

protected areas and monuments of nature.
