Local plan for sustainable development for tulcea county
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Species proposed to be included in the Berne Convention and their location in the DDBCA
Bird species in the DDBCA declared protected / Natural Monuments
List of foreign plants in the DDBCA
Endemic Species and Sub-species In the DDBCA, currently there are 35 endemic species. 
Endemic Species in the DDBCA List of Endemic Species in the DDBCA
NOTE: * Sub-species of genus Elymus identified in the DDBCA. Wild Animal Species for Hunting The wild animal species classified as hunting species due to their capitalisation through hunting activities did not fall within the ecological limits imposed in 2006. The high level and volatility of the Danube’s waters has affected most nesting birds and mammals as far as hunting is concerned, and have caused disturbances in nesting for numerous aquatic species: ducks (large duck, fringed duck, brown-headed duck, etc.), coots and pond hens, with chicks which had been hatched for several days observed in August. This has been observed in the areas of Sireasa, Şontea, Fortuna, Băclăneşti, Maliuc, Old Danube, Caraorman Canal, Lake Roşu, Murighiol, etc. With regard to the increasing dynamics of the population of principal hunting birds in the DDBCA, of the 35 species (28 bird species, 7 mammal species), only 7 species (5 bird species 2 mammal species) have increased in population, and 17 species (14 bird species and 3 mammal species) have decreased, 9 species (8 bird species and one mammal) have been relatively stable, and two species have had large variations. The propositions for hunting species for the 2006-07 hunting season have been modified compared to the previous season, with two more species being recommended: the common snipe and the Northern Shoveler. In total, 15 bird species have been put forward for hunting (of 28), and 4 mammal species (of 7). The hunting was stopped for the remaining 13 bird species and 3 mammal species during the 2006-07 hunting season. Proposed hunting quotas have been modified to correspond to the increased hunting stocks observed during the period of the study. The floods of recent years have affected reproductive products on top of direct deaths of the land hunting species, which have decreased the number of game stock. Biodiversity and Endangered Marine Species Biodiversity and marine habitats on the Romanian sea shore have been characterised by specific indicators, which have not been subject to major modifications compared to the previous year. The level of biodiversity was determined by the number of species identified on the Romanian seacoast, estimated to be 2945 (bacteria – 113, fungi – 55, mycrophyte algae – 615, macryphyte algae – 138, invertebrates – 1730, fish – 141, birds – 150 and mammals – 3), and 29 endangered species (EN and VU). With regards to biodiversity on the Romanian seacoast, four types have been identified in the water and 34 on land, depending on the communities of organisms form the population. The pressure on biodiversity and on habitats has been expressed through the existence of 20 exotic species, 8 species which are capitalised commercially (6 fish and 2 molluscs), and 11 types of anthropic activities which have an impact on the conservation of biodiversity and habitats. The area of wet lands is of 586,188 ha, of which 6,188 ha are in Constanţa County. The impact on marine biodiversity and was expressed through the ratios between the number of endangered species and the total number of species, namely 29 / 2945, and through the number of extinct species / total number of species, namely 13 / 2945; the only auto-acclimatised species was Mugil soiuyi; these ratios have been the same in the past three years. Endangered Species The Red List for macrophyte species, for invertebrates, fish, and mammals, included a total of 209 species, of which 19 macrophytes (9%), 45 invertebrates (22%), 141 fish (67%) and 4 marine mammals (2%) (Fig. 5.1.3.1.). Main groups of endangered species on the Romanian sea coast registered on the Red List 
Of the 45 invertebrates registered on the Red List, 13 are considered to be extinct (EX), 3 endangered (EN), 6 vulnerable (VU), one species with reduced risk of endangerment (LC), and there is not enough data regarding 22 species to determine their place in one of the danger categories (DD). The last category includes four copepod parasites, Anomalocera patersoni, Labidocera brunescens, Pontella mediterranea, Centropages Ponticus, where the first three are hyponeustonic; of these, Anomalocera patersoni Centropages Ponticus were observed in 2006. Status for species registered on the Red List
Fish species are registered on the Red List as follows: of the 141 evaluated by IUCN criteria, 2 are endangered (EN), 2 vulnerable (VU), 28 nearly threatened (NT), 31 with little or no risk (LC), and for 78 species there is not sufficient data (DD). Of all these species, annually 20 are identified in captivity. With regard to marine mammals, although there is no special monitoring program for dolphins, flocks of 2 to 50 can be observed near and far from the shore. At present, the main area of concern is the accidental capture of dolphins. Of dolphins which got stuck, most were Phocoena phocoena, followed by Tursiops truncatus and Delphinus delphis, with two incidents each. B. Măcinului MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK In terms of altitude, Munţii Măcinului National Park falls between 7m and 467m, and is the highest area in the Dobrogea plateau, located near the western limits of the Danube Delta Biosphere Conservation Area. It has a continental moderate climate, and the mountains have average temperatures between 10.80C and 90C, and precipitation between 480.4 mm and 600 mm, the driest mountains in Romania. The National Park occupies the highest central area of the Măcin Mountains, including the largest part of the main peak (known as the Măcinului Peak), as well as the secondary peak, namely Pricopanului Peak. It is located on the administrative territory of the following townships: Măcin, Greci (to the west of the park) Cerna commune (located to the west and south- west of the park), and the communes of Hamcearca and Luncaviţa (to the east) and Jijila (to the north). The entire area is managed by the Tulcea Forestry Department through the Măcin and Cerna forest routes, with the exception of 30 ha which are under the administration of the Măcin Local Council. Munţii Măcinului National Park covers a total area of 11,321 ha, and is the largest area available at present and serves as a conservation area for a maximum number of species, with representatives from each population, age classes for plants and food resources, especially for predators. This could allow the long term survival of flora and fauna, and would reduce the rate of disappearance due to fragmentation. Special conservation areas in the park have been marked out through Order 552/2003 regarding the interior area of national and natural parks, from the point of view of the need for conservation. The largest and compact area which is strictly protected is located in Pricopanului Peak. Such areas are also located on smaller territories such as on the Măcinului Peak, in the area of the commune of Greci and around the Valea Fagilor Conservation Area in the north-western part of Măcinului Peak. To the south and especially to the east of the park, strictly protected areas cover smaller surfaces, with a fragmented character due to the location of meadows among rocks. Morphologically, Northern Dobrogea is a typical penetrating relief, with the Măcinului Mountains as the characteristic element – eroded, with the maximum altitude of 458 m, in the Greci Mountain. The hydrographical network is very poor. Valleys are large, and some have water only temporarily. Little erosion products are transported to the base of the incline, and they are only partially moved along valleys with rivers. Large valleys are covered by a thick blanket of loess and deluvial-proluvial deposits, which hide older deposits. Because of this, openings can only be found on the peaks of hills, or along steep inclines. Flora and Vegetation From a bio-geographic perspective, the Măcinului Mountains represent the northern part of the sub-Mediterranean Balkan Peninsula, and are a distinct unit in terms of Macedo-Tracic province flora. The importance of the Măcinului Mountains lies in the fact that some species here are at the borders of their areas of habitat, such as the Silene compacta, which is at its northern most border, and the Potentilla bifurca, at its western most point. Northern Dobrogea, and specifically Măcinului Mountains, is an area where the following intersect: the southern border of central European and Caucasian species, the northern border of Mediterranean, Balkan and Pontic ones, and the western border of some Asian species. This area has a large representation of Eurasia and European superior plant species, followed by a large percentage of Mediterranean species. Other floral elements are found in the Pontic areas, as well as continental, Balkan, Caucasian, Iliric, etc. One of the main arguments for the establishment of a National Park is the high number of endangered plant species, of which many from Romania are located in Dobrogea, most of which are not protected in other natural conservation areas other than in the Măcin Park. The remarkable ecological value of these mountains at national level is outlined through the identification of 72 phytotaxa so far, which represent 5% of endangered species in the Red List of superior plants in Romania. These taxa, compared to other areas of floral concentration in the country, are dominated by Pontic-Balkan plants (26.4%) and Pontic (16.7%), followed by Eurasian (12.5%), Balkan (11.1%), Mediterranean (8.3%), Mediterranean-Pontic (6.9%). The inclusion of 5 of these species in the European Red List illustrates the international value of these taxa (Dec. no. 46 /1991, adopted by the European Economic Commission) in the vulnerable category: Campanula romanica, Galanthus plicatus, Moehringia grisebachii, M. jancae, Dianthus nardiformis. According to IUCN categories, 4% of these taxa are endemic (A), 6.9% are sub-endemic (b), and 4.2% are European species (B). As such, Măcin Park is the only national park in the world with the Dobrogea endemic species - Campanula romanica. In addition, here sub-endemic taxa are also protected, such as Corydalis solida ssp slivenensis, Euphorbia nicaeensis ssp cadrilater, Moehringia grisebachi, M. jankae, Silene cserei.. European taxa are also included - Centaurea gracilenta, Centaurea tenuiflora and Dianthus nardiformis. With regard to the diversity of the ecosystem, of the 8 existing ecosystems in Europe in accordance with the Corine Biotopes Project classification, 6 can be found in the Măcinului Mountains. These include forests, meadows and thicket, rivers, swamps, rocks and grottos, archaeological sites (Europe’s Environment 1995). Dobrogea is the only region in Romania which maintains important steppe vegetation areas, which in this case are Pontic-Balkan. As such, the Măcinului Mountains is the only national park in the country that conserves this type of vegetation very rarely at European level. The international importance of the Măcin Mountains consists in the fact that this is the only place in the world where endemic flora is protected, such as Gymnospermio (altaicae)-Celtetum (glabratae). Also, Măcin Park is one of the few protected areas in Dobrogea, and in the world, where endemic flora which has been observed only in this province, and which can be considered endemic, such as Teucrio polii-Scleranthetum perennis, Tilio tomentosae-Carpinetum betuli, Nectaroscordo- Tilietum tomentosae, Galantho plicatae-Tilietum tomentosae and Querco pedunculiflorae-Tilietum tomentosae, mentioned in the classification of palearctic habitats (Devillers, 1996) or the beech island at Luncaviţa, considered to be specific to the Dobrogea area, etc. Fauna Research from the past 150 years shows that in north-western Dobrogea, 2500 invertebrate species have been identified so far, of which a portion of groups with high specific diversity were investigated (arachnomorpha), and most species were recorded in the Măcinuluiu Mountains, and in their surrounding areas (Niculitel plateau, Turcoaia, Atmagea, Horia etc). When it comes to species of vertebrates, the fauna list of the preliminary area includes approximately 256 species, of which 7 species of amphibians which all belong to the Anura order, 11 reptile species, 188 bird species, and approximately 50 mammal species. The numbers outlining the specific diversity of the vertebrate fauna are indicative due to the low number of investigation in the area of birds and mammals, and also due to the lack of investigation in the area of amphibians and reptiles, which lead secretive lives. Among amphibians, the species which are most important from a scientific perspective are: - Bufo bufo (common toad), represents a glacial left-over in this area, and while it is common in hill and mountain areas in Romania, it has only been noticed in four points in Dobrogea; - Rana dalmatina (agile frog) is found throughout Dobrogea only in the areas neighbouring the south-eastern part of the Măcin Mountains, and highlights the old age of the forests in the area. Among reptiles, the most important species from a scientific perspective are: Testudo graeca (Greek tortoise), Ablepharus kitaibelii, Lacerta trilineata (Blakan green lizard), Lacerta viridis (Eastern green lizard), Elaphe quatorlineata (four-lined snake), E. longissima, Coronella austriaca, Vipera ammodytes ssp. montandoni (horned viper). The large diversity of birds found in the Măcinului Mountain is illustrated in the many types of species, in terms of habitat and in terms of geographical spread. The Măcinului Mountains area lies on an important migration route which follows the flows of the Prut and Siret Rivers. The variety of land ecosystems, forested or rock, combined with the presence of aquatic systems near mountain chains (Lakes Jijila, Sărat, Slatina, etc.) creates favourable conditions for the passage and passing the winter for a large number of bird species. Birds of prey are especially well represented in the Măcinului Mountains. During investigations, a large number of species is regularly observed (Acipiter brevipes, chicken hawk, A. Nisus, sparrow hawk, Buteo buteo, common buzzard, B.ruffinus, long legged buzzard, Circaetus gallicus, short-toed eagle, and different species from genus Falco). More rarely, species are observed from genus Aquila, Circus, Haliaeetus, Hieraetus etc. Among mammals, micro-mammals and chiropods are important from a scientific perspective, as well as relatively recently introduced in the Măcin area through natural migration, Canis aureus (golden jackal). Other mammal species of scientific importance are: Citellus citellus, Felis silvestris (wildcat), Putorius eversmanii, Martes foina etc.
C. “BEECH VALLEY FOREST” CONSERVATION AREAThe Beech Valley Forest Conservation Area covers a total area of 154 ha and is located in the perimeter of the Măcinului Mountains National Park, near the commune of Luncaviţa, on the Luncaviţa-Nifon county road. It is a conservation area which falls in Category IV according to IUCN, and is under the administration of the Tulcea Forestry Department through the Măcin forest route. The forest conservation area is a beech relict, hidden in a narrow and humid valley, 300km from the Carpathians; the trees here are 1m thick and 38m tall. The island belongs to the Măcin Mountains geo-morphological and geological unit, which are a result of hercinic orogenesis. Geomorphologically, it is located on a slope which faces north. The vegetal composition of the forest includes a unique species, Fagus taurica, which is a meridional variety of beech, originating from the crossing of beech with Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus and with Tilia tomentosa. The thicket in the conservation area includes forests with durmast and beech, as well as a specific type of forest known as the beech-Dobrogean, with Carex pilosa. The latter type of forest includes European and Tauric beech (Fagus sylvatica, F. taurica) in proportion of 50%, Carpinus betulus 40% and Tilia tomentosa 10%. The lower level of trees includes Tilia cordata (lime tree), Ulmus montana, Acer campestre, Acer platanoides, Ulmus laevis, Quercus petraea, Fraxinus angustifolia, Populus tremula, Sorbus aucuparia. The upper tree layer includes: Corylus avellana and Euonymus verrucosa. The grass layer includes: Dryopteris filix –mas, Cystopteris fragilis, Asarum europaeum, Mercurialis perennis, Pulmonaria officinalis, Asperula odorata, Carex pilosa, etc. In terms of fauna, the conservation area has not been systematically studied. 7 mammal species have been observed, deer (Caporeolus capreolus), rabbit (Lepus europaeus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), fox (Vulpes vulpes), badger (Meles meles), jackal (Canis aureus), wild cat (Felis silvestris). In the area, some rare wolf examples have been observed, and some observations of Carpathian deer. Grazing and wood extraction are prohibited in the conservation area. D. “Bujorului HILL” CONSERVATION AREAThe conservation area is located in the central-northern area of the Babadag plateau, on the southern slope of the Bujorilor Hill, which belongs to the Babadag plateau, approximately 4km northeast of the village of Atmagea, Ciucurova Commune, and has a surface area of 50.8 ha. It is a mixed conservation area, and falls under IUCN category IV. It is under the administration of Tulcea Forestry Department through the Ciucurova Forestry Department. In terms of flora, the trees in the conservation area are classified as exothermic sub-Mediterranean forests, specific to the Dobrogea area, and particularly represented by Paeonio (peregrinae), Carpinetum orientalis (Doniţă, 1970). The superior tree layer consists of Quercus pubescens and inferior layer, of Carpinus orientalis , Fraxinus ornus. The bush layer consists of Cornus mas, Crataegus monogyna. The grass layer includes Ornithogalum fibriatum, Veratrum nigrum, Paeonia peregrina, etc. In addition to these types of plants, plants specific to forest-steppe areas can be found, such as Galio(dasipodi) – Quercetum pubescentis, characterised by a tree layer almost exclusively comprising of Q. pubescens. The principal objective for the conservation of this area is the fact that this is one of the best populations of Paeonia peregrina, a species which is on the Red List of superior plants in Romania, in the vulnerable and rare category, and is protected by law. In addition, the objectives for protection refer to the conservation of a sub-Mediterranean and forest-steppe cluster of woods and together with the related species. E. “Oilor VALLEY” LILAC CONSERVATION AREAThe conservation area is located in the central-northern area of the Babadag plateau, on the south-western axis, 10km away from N. Bălcescu and 2km west of DN Tulcea-Bucharest, between the townships of Ciucurova and N. Bălcescu; it covers 0.35 ha. It is a botanical reservation, and falls under IUCN category IV. The conservation area is located on the inferior southern slope with a 30o incline, on a limestone layer. This belongs to the Babadag plateau, a sedimented plain of the Cretacic Age and build of marl and grezous limestone and conglomerates. In terms of flora, the vegetation is represented by xerothermic sub-Mediterranean grasses, in a small group. This includes a glade of Quercus pubescens and Fraxinus ornus, and Carpinus orientalis. Below these trees, there is a group of lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) over a surface of 0.15 ha, proposed to be an integral conservation area, with the rest serving as a buffer zone. The lilac cluster is compact and thick, in a good condition. The maximum diameter of lilacs is of 8cm, and they have a maximum height of 3m. The trees are diverse, and include rare species such as: Pyrus eleagrifolia (pear tree) and Quercus virgiliana (maple), and more common species sich as: Sorbus torminalis (fowler’s pear), Quercus pedunculiflora (silver oak), Pyrus pyraster (wild pear). Other bushes (in addition to lilac) include the following species: Prunus spinosa (blackthorn), Euonymus europaea (European spindletree), Cornus mas (cornelian cherry), Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn). Grasses include the Pontic-Mediterranean species, Asparagus tenuifolius (asparagus). The conservation area is administered by the Tulcea Forestry Department, through the Ciucurova Forestry Department. F. “Fântâna Mare” LILAC CONSERVATION AREA The conservation area is located in the southern part of the Babadag plain, where it meets the Casimcei plain, on the Topolog valley, 3km southeast from the village of Fântâna Mare, and has a surface area of approximately 0.3 ha. It belongs to the Dumbrava Productivity Unit. It is a botanical conservation area, and falls under IUCN category IV. From a flora point of view, the reservation includes Syringa vulgaris (lilac), which is rare in Tulcea County. This species clusters here to cover 0.13 ha, which is an integral conservation area; the cluster is compact, thick, and has lilac trees with maximum diameters of 6 cm and heights of 5m. Inside the cluster, there are isolated specimens of wild fruit trees (Pyrus pyraster) and elm fledglings. In the border area, there are blackthorn shrubs (Prunus spinosa) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), as well as steppe grass vegetation: Crocus reticulatus, Galanthus elwesii, Asphodeline lutea – which are included on the Red List of superior plants in Romania (Oltean,1994). G. “Körum Tarla” BOTANICAL CONSERVATION AREA The conservation area covers 2.4 ha, and is located in the northern part of the Babadag Forest, on a plateau approximately 1km away from the town of Babadag. To the west it is bordered by the “Doi Iepuraşi” rest ground and by DN Tulcea–Constanţa, and to the east by the Visterna Forest. The conservation area is located on a plateau which is part of the Babadag plateau, which is of Cretacic age, and therefore includes marl and grezous limestone and conglomerates, and is a botanical conservation area which falls in IUCN category IV. In terms of flora, the vegetation is characterised by durmast country areas with middle productivity, but there are also artificially planted bushes in the areas of inferior productivity including oak (Quercus petreaea), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and elm (Ulmus sp.). The conservation area was established to protect the species Sophora prodanii jaubertii, of Balkan-Caucasian-Anatolian origin; this is the only place it can be found in Romania. The flora association which includes this species is Cynodontii-poetum angustifoliae under the association Sophoretosum, thus separating the co-dominant character of the different species, Sophora jaubertii. In addition to the dominant species, Poetum angustifoliae, and the differential one, Cynodon dactylon, the characteristics for this sub-associations are the species: Digitalis lanaat, Achilleia neilreichii, Stachys germanica. The influence of the limiting forest is manifested through the species: Bracypodium sylvaticum, Geum urbanum, Carex polyphylla, Poa nemoralis. The sub-association is dominated by Eurasian plants (40%), followed by the circumboreal plants (18%), and European (10%), and is also dominated by Hemicryptophyte. Sophora can be found in forest openings and in the Fraxinus excelsior and Ulmus minor plantations, and that of grey oak. The administration of the conservation area is done by the Babadag Forestry Department, within the Tulcea Forestry Department. H. Secaru PEAK The conservation area is located in the western part of the Babadag plain, 4km southeast of the township of Atmagea, Ciucurova commune, with a total surface area of 34.5 ha. Secaru peak is one of the few granite areas in the limestone plain of Babadag. It includes alkaline granite, and namely riebeckite granite and micropegmatite granite. From a geo-morphological standpoint, the Secaru peak is the highest altitude in the Babadag plateau (401 m) and exhibits erosion. In the conservation area, the main geomorphologic units are the slopes with diverse angles and exposures. The type of the conservation area is mixed, and falls in IUCN category IV. In terms of flora, the vegetation of the conservation area has an “island” characteristic, with relatively acidophile vegetation in comparison with the rest of the Babadag plain, where most species are calcio-phillic. In the protected clearings, there are steppe grass groups of Balkan loess areas and /or petrophillic character on superficial soils, and Saxiloca vegetation or trees, together to isolated thermopile trees or in clusters. The bordering area has a forest vegetation including relatively well preserved sections of Nectaroscordo–Tilietum, considered to be endemic to Dobrogea. The most important argument for the establishment of this conservation area is the identification to date of 9 taxa which can be found on the Red List for superior plants in Romania. Of these, one species is vulnerable, another is vulnerable and rare, and the rest are rare. One of the taxa (Moiehringia jankae) is subendemic. The specificity of these taxa is due to the Pontic characteristic of varieties of 88% of these species. These taxa include: Achillea ochroleuca, Allium guttatum, Allium flavum ssp. Tauricum, Allium saxistile, Nectaroscordum siculum ssp. bulgaricum, Paeonia peregrina, Rosa turcica, Silene compacta. Fauna: Has not been systematically studied, but 9 species of mammals have been observed. I.”Dealul Bujoarele” FOSSIL SITE The conservation area includes a complex hills with small altitude, the Bujorul Românesc Hill with a maximum altitude of 192 m, and the Bujorul Bulgăresc with a maximum altitude of 222 m (Caracicula), located in the south-western part of the Măcin Mountains, 5 km from the township of Turcoaia, and between the granite quarry at Iacobdeal to the west and Culmea Priopcea to the east. It has a total surface area of 8 ha. It is a paleontological conservation area, falls in IUCN category IV, and is under the administration of Turcoaia Local Council. From a flora point of view, the vegetation includes meadows characteristic to the Pontic-Balkan loess areas and /or petrophiles, which have not been systematically studied. From a fauna point of view, the protected fossils are of Denovian age. In the Bujorul Românesc Hill, fauna is weaker than in the Bujorul Bulgăresc. The rocks are strongly altered and diagenised, so that the areas with fauna fossils are not well preserved. From a quantitative perspective, crinoides and tentaculites predominate. In the connecting hill, in the strongly altered black quartz rock, few and weak impressions of crinoides and tentaculites were discovered, as well as poorly preserved fragments of brahiopodes. On the eastern slope, crinoides covers full surfaces but is not well preserved, and brahiopodes are rare and difficult to determine. J. “Agighiol” Geological conservation area The conservation area is located in the northern part of Lake Razlem, northwest of the Agighiol township, between Dealul Redi and Agighiol, with a surface area of 9.7 ha. It is a geological and paleontological protected area, and falls in IUCN category IV. The paleontological conservation area includes an important fossil site in northern Dobrogea, which includes an important mediotriassic fauna. Here the Medium Triassic is in complex development. Morphologically, the relief is characterised by calcium massifs and long slopes, covered by loess and with low altitudes (206m). The vegetation includes meadows characteristic to the Pontic-Balkan loess areas and /or petrophile, and Saxicola vegetation. The fauna includes fossils of Middle Triassic age (Cephalopode, Brachiopode, Bivalve). No research or systematic studies have been carried out on this area. The conservation area is under the administration of Agighiol Local Council. I.1.7. FOREST VEGETATION The forests of Tulcea County are managed by the National Forest Administration, through the Tulcea Forestry Department, and according to economic function, they fall in two categories: production and protection forests, and protection forests. They are distributed into two main areas – the forest in Northern Dobrogea, and the forest life in the Danube Delta, located within the Danube Delta Biosphere Conservation Area. The forest in Northern Dobrogea can be divided into three main forest areas: the Măcinului Mountains and the Tulcea Hills, the Babadag an Casmicei plateaus, and south-western Dobrogea. While the northern forested area is dominated by durmast, lime tree, hornbeam, then the central area of the Babadag and Casmicei plateaus are covered by lime tree, silver maple, and smaller amounts of hornbeam. The main species, and some subordinate ones in the Dobrogea forests, belong to the following structures: sub-Mediterranean, Mediterranean-Balkan, sub-Mediterranean-oriental, Tauric-Caucasian, medium-European. For Northern Dobrogea, the following were separated:
The total forested area in Tulcea County is of 102,473 ha, of which 90.743 ha are covered with forests, and 11,730 ha are covered with forest vegetation. Of the total forest area, 71% consists of forests developed in hilly areas, and the Danube Delta forests count for approximately 29%. The forests in the Danube Delta fall under the administration of the National Forest Administration, Tulcea Forestry Department, and cover a total surface of 22,656 ha. The surface of forests (groups of trees or bushes, reproduced naturally or planted) is of 15,377 ha (8,845 ha are planted forests, and 6,532 ha are natural forests). These include deciduous trees (15,341 ha), with resinous trees not so strongly represented (36ha) through black pine and pond cypress species, which grown on sandy soil and namely on the Sf. Gheorghe arm at Km. 79 and Km. 63, and are artificially planted. Deciduous trees include Euro-American poplar, white poplar, black poplar, white willow, maple, Pennsylvania ash tree, acacia, etc. (Fig. 2.6.1) 
Forests in the Danube Delta As a result of specific relief conditions, geomorphologically located in depressions, whose altitude varies between 0-12m (in the areas of taller hills on the Letea and Cararoman areas), the forests are located in two physio-climatic areas: the wet forested hills, which include meadow and delta river vegetation, and the dry forested hills, which includes vegetation on the slopes near the Tulcea arm, and continue on the Sf. Gheorghe arm (right-hand side), and numerous small forest bodies in the continental sand area at Dunavăţul de Sus and Dunavăţul de Jos, old protection curtains. The forests in the river delta region are mostly located along the three arms of the Danube, but also along ponds and canals connecting these arms. Forests can also be found in some areas inside the delta. These consist of willow water meadows, which occupy the lower areas, and poplar or mixture of poplar and willow, on the higher areas. The species found in the forests of the river delta region are: golden willow (Salix alba), crack willow (Salix fragilis), white poplar (Populus alba), silver poplar (Populus canescens), and the most widely found are the Euro-American poplar of high production, established through planting (97% of all species). There are some examples of natural flora also, which include the narrow-leafed ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) and Fraxinus pallisae. The forests in the river-sea delta region stand out from the ones found in the meadow and in the river delta region. They consist of natural trees in the Letea and Caraorman areas, and in the meadows of the Chilia and Sfântu Gheorghe arms, as well as plantations (hybrid black poplar and willow), as well as some plantations on sea-river sands in the Sărăturile area, over a surface of 1,280 ha. Over smaller surfaces, due to ecological and morphological differences (hills and depressions), the distribution of vegetation in Letea and Cararoman is abrupt between forests and psammophilous or even halophilous grassy plants. Nearly 75% of forests are artificial, and 43% are natural. Of the natural forests, 16% are located on the low lands of the river delta region. From an ecological and economic perspective, the forests in the Danube Delta, located in the Danube Delta Biosphere Conservation Area, are protected (73% of the surface area), with a decreased degree of production (27% of the total surface area). In terms of production, the primary element is wood processing and production, followed by mushrooms, medicinal plants, hunting, and others. The forests of economic interest are concentrated in the river delta region. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||