Explore the vast range of titles available.

The alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) once vanished from Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, but a reintroduction initiative launched in 1973 has since fostered population recovery. This study evaluates the long-term success of those efforts and explores the feasibility of further reintroductions. Population data from 2004 to 2025 across the Rodna, Retezat, and Făgăraș Mountains show a steady growth trend, culminating in a national population of approximately 815 individuals by 2025. Habitat quality was assessed using a Habitat Suitability Index, identifying robust colonies that could serve as donor populations. Additionally, an Ecological Diagnostic Key was developed to evaluate 27 potential reintroduction sites in the Țarcu, Ciucaș, and Bucegi Mountains. Findings reveal that 61 ha are suitable for reintroduction, with 40.5 ha rated as highly suitable. The study proposes a phased reintroduction strategy, combining individuals from established Romanian colonies with genetically diverse founders from Western Europe. It emphasizes soft-release protocols and calls for mitigation of anthropogenic pressures. This research supports a broader conservation framework that integrates habitat evaluation, demographic stability, and genetic health to enhance the alpine marmot’s persistence and expansion in Romania.

Human-Wildlife conflict (HWC) presents a growing challenge for wildlife conservation, especially as species recover and reoccupy human-dominated landscapes, creating tensions between ecological goals and local livelihoods. Such conflicts are increasingly reported across Europe, including Romania, involving semi-aquatic species like the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra L.). Enhancing coexistence with wildlife through the integration of conflict mapping, stakeholder engagement, and spatial analysis into conservation planning is therefore essential for ensuring the long-term protection of conflict species. A mixed-methods approach was used, including structured surveys among stakeholders, standardized damage report collection from institutions, and expert field assessments of species activity. The results indicate that while most respondents recognize the legal protection of both species, a minority have experienced direct conflict, primarily with beavers through flooding and crop damage. Tolerance varied markedly among demographic groups: researchers and environmental agency staff were most accepting, whereas farmers and fish farm owners were the least accepting; respondents with no personal damage experience and those with university or post-secondary education also displayed significantly higher acceptance toward both species. Institutional reports confirmed multiple beaver-related damage sites, and through field validation, conflict forecast zones with spatial clustering in Harghita, Brașov, Covasna, and Sibiu counties were developed. These findings underscore the importance of conflict forecasting maps, understanding the coexistence dynamics and drivers of acceptance, and the need to maintain high acceptance levels toward the studied species. The developed maps can serve as a basis for targeted interventions, helping to balance ecological benefits with socioeconomic concerns.

Beavers (Castor fiber L.) are recognized as keystone ecological engineers who shape freshwater ecosystems by modifying hydrology, sediment dynamics, and biodiversity. Although beaver populations have recovered across Europe, including Romania, understanding the environmental factors driving their dam distribution remains limited. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physical and compositional features of beaver dams in the Râul Negru basin, Romania, (ii) model the environmental variables influencing the dam distribution using MaxEnt, and (iii) evaluate the implications for broader conservation strategies. Over a five-year survey covering 353.7 km of watercourses, 135 beaver families were identified, with an estimated population of 320–512 individuals. The dam dimensions showed strong correlations with the river slope, channel width, and wetness index. Predictive models based on LIDAR data achieved over 90% accuracy, outperforming SRTM-based models. The results reveal that topographic wetness, flow accumulation, and valley morphology are the strongest predictors of dam presence. These findings contribute to proactive beaver management strategies, highlighting areas of potential future expansion and offering data-driven guidance for balancing ecosystem restoration with human land use, contributing to the development of conservation strategies that balance ecosystem engineering by beavers with human land-use needs in Romania and across Europe.

Improved forage and living conditions in certain parts of Europe over the past few decades have led to alarming levels of ungulate densities. Consequently, the overabundance of red deer, roe deer, and fallow deer in the Western Plains of Romania has begun to generate issues in the development of young oak stands. In addition to causing damage to the agricultural sector and increasing the risk of vehicle collisions, ungulates are increasing pressure on the forestry sector, mainly through the browsing of young saplings. This study quantifies the levels of ungulate browsing in oak stands using a permanent sample grid of 42 plots in both natural and artificial regeneration areas. A total of 3223 individual saplings were measured, revealing browsing intensities of 49.65% in clearcut systems and 12.8% in continuous forest cover systems. With high ungulate densities identified as the main cause, the Sustainable Population Threshold was calculated using a complex set of indices and compared to the actual numbers of ungulates, both of which were translated into stock unit equivalents. A logistic regression model was developed based on silvicultural and wildlife indices to identify other factors influencing browsing occurrence. The findings indicate that the proportion of forested areas in the hunting ground and the type of silvicultural system are significant factors in the occurrence of browsing. The problem of ungulate overabundance clearly influences forest development, and new solutions should be identified in terms of both forestry and wildlife management.

Ungulate browsing represents a contemporary issue for forest development, influencing forest regeneration, composition, and management practices across the world, especially in North America. This review synthesizes findings from 101 studies conducted between 1980 and 2025 to examine patterns of herbivory damage through browsing by moose, elk, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, and bison. Despite regional variation, high ungulate density consistently emerges as the primary factor driving browsing intensity and ecological and economic impact, leading to decreased social acceptance of coexistence with ungulates. This review highlights the selective suppression of palatable species such as balsam fir, red oak, and white cedar, leading to shifts toward less-preferred conifers. Preventive and control measures, ranging from fencing and repellents to regulated hunting, are widely implemented but vary in effectiveness and social acceptability. Although predator presence is an evident controlling factor, it was not statistically associated in this review with reduced browsing, nor with behavioral or trophic cascade effects. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of integrated management strategies that combine silvicultural adaptation, population control, and, where feasible, predator reintroduction to ensure forest resilience and sustainability in the face of increasing pressure from climate change.

Genetic monitoring has proven helpful in estimating species presence and abundance, and detecting trends in genetic diversity, to be incorporated in providing data and recommendations to management authorities for action and policy development. We reviewed 148 genetics research papers conducted on the bear species worldwide retrieved from Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. This review aims to reveal sampling methodology and data collection instructions, and to unveil innovative noninvasively genetic monitoring techniques that may be integrated into the genetic monitoring of a large bear population. In North American studies, hair samples were collected more often than faeces, whereas in Europe, both faeces and hair samples surveys are recommended, usually focusing on faeces. The use of the Isohelix sample collection method, previously tested locally and, if suitable, applied at the national level, could generate numerous advantages by reducing shortcomings. Additionally, dogs trained for faeces sampling could be used in parallel with hunting managers, foresters, and volunteers for sample collection organised during autumn and winter. It was stated that this is the best period in terms of cost-efficiency and high quality of the gathered samples. We conclude that large-scale noninvasive genetic monitoring of a large bear population represents a challenge; nevertheless, it provides valuable insights for biodiversity monitoring and actions to respond to climate change.

Road development, traffic intensification, and collisions with wildlife represent a danger both for road safety and species conservation. For planners, deciding which mitigation methods to apply is often problematic. Through a kernel density estimate, we analyzed 715 crossing locations and wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs) involving brown bears, lynx, wolf, red deer, roe deer, and wild boar in the Southeastern Carpathian Mountains. We identified 25 WVC hotspots, of which eight require urgent mitigation of existing infrastructure. Moreover, many of these hotspots are in Natura 2000 sites, along road sections where vegetation is in close proximity, animal movement is the highest, and driver visibility is low. Our study is the first in Romania to recommend practical solutions to remediate WVC hotspots and benefit sustainable landscape management.

Background/Objectives: Healthcare professions impose high physical and mental demands, potentially affecting health. Despite advocating for active lifestyles, many physiotherapists do not meet recommended physical activity levels (PALs). This study explores physical activity patterns and recreational engagement among practicing physiotherapists. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design examined the relationship between physical activity and recreational participation among 60 physiotherapists (38 females, 22 males, mean age 38.62 ± 9.78 years). Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Pittsburgh Enjoyable Activities Test (PEAT). The analysis focused on bivariate correlations between PAL, energy expenditure (MET), recreational habits (PEAT score), and sociodemographic and anthropometric variables. Results: The IPAQ-SF results indicated that 38.3% of participants had a low PAL, 40.0% a moderate level, and 21.7% a high level. Average energy expenditure was 1927.62 ± 1479.73 MET-minutes/week. PEAT data indicated moderate engagement in recreational activities (mean score: 22.63 ± 7.76), with participants predominantly involved in low-intensity, passive leisure. Significant positive correlations were observed between PEAT scores and both MET values (Kendall’s tau-b = 0.669, p ≤ 0.01) and PALs (Kendall’s tau-b = 0.804, p ≤ 0.01), indicating that higher engagement in recreational activities is associated with greater energy expenditure and overall physical activity levels. Conclusions: Despite the physical demands of their profession, many physiotherapists report low activity levels. The positive correlations between physical activity, energy expenditure, and recreational engagement highlight the need for structured exercise to support both personal health and professional integrity. Future research should include larger samples and objective assessments.

Once exploited for fur, meat, and extracting the yellowish exudate called castoreum, the Eurasian beaver disappeared from Romania during the eighteenth century. After, the reintroductions carried out two decades ago are currently thriving in the Danube River basin. Using nine nSSR markers, we analysed samples from 98 individuals, and we found no genetic substructure, suggesting high dispersal and gene flow capabilities. The stepwise mutation model (SMM) indicated the existence of a recent genetic bottleneck, though the Eurasian beaver retains high levels of genetic diversity and population growth facilitated variation in nSSR loci. A fine-scale spatial correlation in females was detected, contrasting with males’ dispersal on longer distances. While the movement and establishment of individuals’ new territories were made under natural predation pressure, the mix following natural expansion improved the fitness and could contribute to a higher genetic diversity than the source population. With any reintroduction, a focus on capturing individuals from various geographic origins, as well as securing many and suitable founding individuals (adults, subadults, and juveniles) with mixed origins, could secure the post-genetic bottleneck recovery and higher genetic diversity. Beyond this conservation success, future management strategies should consider building a National Action Plan (NAP) for the species, including a permanent genetic monitoring programme for Eurasian beaver.

Understanding the dynamics of ungulates is crucial for proper wildlife management and conservation efforts. Where high densities of ungulates are present and exceed the carrying capacity, damage occurs in both the forestry and agriculture sectors, moreover human safety is endangered through road accidents. This study explores the evolution of deer populations in the Baltics, Central, and Eastern Europe through the analysis of hunting bag data, which represents the total number of specimens harvested annually. By utilizing hunting bag statistics reported by wildlife managers and hunters, this research aims to provide a more reliable indicator for population trends compared to traditional wildlife monitoring techniques, which may suffer from issues such as double counting, underreporting, or different estimation methods. The study focuses on the evolution of hunting bag numbers for red deer ( L.), roe deer ( L.), and fallow deer ( L.) between 2012 to 2022. The primary metrics used in the description of growth and statistical analyses were the hunting bags and population parameters such as the sex ratio. The findings of this study indicate that hunting bag data have shown an increasing trend during the study period. The sex ratio of the harvested specimens seems to play a role in annual growth only in the case of roe deer. Based on different harvesting rates, the population estimates for the year 2022 were projected. This research confirms similar trends in population growth for the studied species and also indicates an increase in damage caused by high densities of ungulates. The study underscores the significance of integrated approaches in assessing ungulates populations and their ecological roles, contributing to future wildlife management practices.