Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXVIV, Issue 1
Written by Roxana NICOARĂ, Constanța-Mihaela ION, Gabriela TAMAS, Ana-Maria MOROȘANU, Florența-Elena HELEPCIUC, Tiberiu SAHLEAN, Constantin-Ciprian BÎRSAN, Minodora MANU, MIHAELA CIOBOATĂ, Sanda MAICAN, Viorel-Dumitru GAVRIL, Miruna-Maria ȘTEFĂNUȚ, Daniel Ioan MAFTEI, Mirela-Mădălina MOLDOVEANU, Anca MANOLE, Sorin ȘTEFĂNUȚ
Betula humilis Schrank is a rare, glacial relict species primarily found in eutrophic peatlands. In Romania, it is limited to the Carpathian depressions of Transylvania and Bukovina, marking the southernmost boundary of its European distribution. Due to drainage and land-use changes, Betula humilis populations have declined and are nationally endangered. Despite these threats, a population of over 50 shrubs was mapped from Coșna area (Suceava County), making it one of the largest known populations in Romania. As part of a peatland restoration project, our efforts aimed at restoring the optimal hydrological regime to protect Betula humilis. During the area’s flora and fauna inventory, two European protected species were discovered: Lycaena helle (an endangered butterfly) and Ligularia sibirica (a rare glacial relict plant). These findings highlight the site's exceptional conservation value, leading to an expansion of the initial proposal for a Botanical Reserve of local interest to a broader Natura 2000 site covering 21 hectares. A management plan is needed to protect both Betula humilis and its umbrella species.
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