The Gorj Environmental Protection Agency announces the completion, this spring, of the sapling planting works on 3,126 hectares, along the Gilort River. These works were carried out within the project LIFE16 NAT/RO/000778 Restoration of migration lanes and habitats for rheophilic fish species in the Gilort river FISH FOR LIFE. The project aims to restore longitudinal connectivity on the Gilort River and improve habitat diversity for rheophilic fish species (species that live in flowing waters).
The planting of saplings in the Gilort meadow was carried out in two sessions, namely:
• November 2022: sectors US4 (0.26 ha) and US5 (1.44 ha) on the map, in the vicinity of Bengești-Ciocadia commune, Mirosloveni village);
• February – March 2024: sectors US1 (0.64 ha), US2 (0.24 ha) and US3 (0.546), in the vicinity of Bengesti-Ciocadia commune, village …).
Four species of saplings were used for planting: white willow, black alder, white poplar and ash. In the case of the anin, 30% of the total planted saplings were harvested from natural regenerations (from the area of the Natura 2000 Râul Gilort site and from the neighboring areas), respecting the dimensional and quality conditions imposed by the specific standards of forestry works.
The total number of saplings planted in the five areas is about 13,000 pieces.
How to choose the species used for planting
The choice of woody species was made taking into account the requirements of each species in relation to ecological factors (light, air temperature, humidity, wind, etc.), edaphic factors (texture and depth of the soil, content in the skeleton, trophicity, specific and global, humidity regime, fertility ), geomorphological factors (altitude, exposure, slope, terrain configuration), biotic and abiotic factors, etc.
In the case of uniformly spread or grouped losses, additions were foreseen in the first and second years after planting in percentages of 15-20% and 10%, respectively. The seedlings that come in addition will have to comply with the same quality standards as the seedlings planted in the first year. The achievement of the final success was planned for the fifth year after planting.
Control of seedling plantings
Also, an annual control of the success of the plantations will be carried out, with the aim of determining the success of the plantations and how they have developed.
The control will be carried out in the fall, between September 15 and October 15, by placing the test squares and inventorying the saplings in accordance with the regulations in force. These markets are permanent, being maintained from the reception of the works to establish the plantation until the final success.
The first check of the crops is done 2-3 months after their entry into the vegetation, and after this the aim is to establish the percentage of seedlings caught.
The annual control of the regenerations (stage II) determines the success of the crops, their development method and the necessary additions and maintenance works to be carried out in order for them to reach the state of massif in the originally expected term.
Plantings have a multiple role
Plantations have a multiple role in the riparian ecosystems of the Gilort meadow. First, it restores the connectivity of the riparian forests along the river, which causes a reduction in soil erosion as a result of the action of the river water. On the other hand, riparian forests play an active role in the transfer of energy (especially solar) and matter between the fluvial and terrestrial areas. High UV radiation flux can cause high mortality of aquatic eggs and larvae.
Last but not least, the interference of riparian zones with the flow of sediments contributes to the diversity of habitats present along the water course.
More information about the FISH FOR LIFE project is available on the website www.fishforlife.ro.
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Tags: Planting seedlings hectares land Gilort meadow part FISH LIFE project
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