I&CLC 2000 Applications report
NATIONAL GRASSLAND INVENTORY PROJECT ROMANIA
(PIN-MATRA NR.00.B.4.21)
Domain of the application: Biodiversity loss and understanding spatial change; Biodiversity and Nature
conservation
Policy driver: Common Agricultural Policy
Country/Region: Romania
ABSTRACT
The project “National grassland inventory – Romania” is an integrated part of a Pan-European
programme, for grassland inventory, dealing with their protection, conservation and management
process, in the framework of EU regulations (SAPARD).
The long term project objective is to establish the Romanian semi-natural grassland inventory, in order
to promote their conservation and management, in accordance with the European Strategy for
Sustainable Development.
A more specific objective related to GIS application is to include in the mapping process, the
identification of the Romanian areas with dominating semi-natural grassland and selection of most
representative sites for biodiversity conservation. As Romania is a large country (237, 500 Km 2) it was
clear that remote sensing data will be used for both processes, the identification and mapping of the
grassland complexes. In this context, CORINE Land Cover database 1990 and 2000 and Image 2000
have been used for the orientation of botanical experts in the field and also, for mapping some
400,000 ha of grassland complexes in Romania. The information collected in the field provided data
for characterization and classification of habitat and vegetation types and consequently, facilitated the
creation of a grassland database in GIS format.
Figure 1:
Main steps in the mapping process
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I&CLC 2000 Applications report
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Methodology used
A first selection of the grassland complexes was based on CORINE Land Cover database. Further on
selection of map sheets with most representative grassland sites was based on existing botanical
data and the expertise of botanical experts. The selection was thought to cover all grassland types in
the country. Once the areas were selected each botanical expert has received a CLC working data
set that include transparent paper, hard copy topographical maps 1/50,000 and same scale hard copy
satellite image 2000 with printed grassland polygons and localities for field orientation. Before starting
the mapping process, the experts were trained to identify grassland sites in the field on hard copy
satellite images. The training work helped the mappers to learn how to discriminate between
grassland areas and other land cover classes. The grassland complexes identified in the field were
drawn on transparent paper.
Afterwards, grassland polygons drawn on transparent paper in the field were scanned and transferred
in GIS environment. Data collected in the field were filled in a required format and put in the database.
After checking and corrected the data has been processed using specialized software as ArcInfo and
ArcView. Some 400,000 ha of grassland complexes areas were mapped corresponding to a total
number of 4474 polygons that include 130, 680 plant species records. Each polygon has attached field
data and GIS ID data.
Results obtained and outlook
Information collected in the field provided data for the characterization and classification of habitat and
vegetation types and therefore, the creation of GIS database. Phytocoenological classification of seminatural grassland communities is at alliance level. A total number of 28 alliances were identified and
mapped. Distribution of each Red List species and its presence in different polygons has been
mapped as well.
References
SARBU A., COLDEA G., NEGREAN G., CRISTEA V., HANGANU J. AND PETER VEEN, (2004): Grasslands of
Romania - Final report on National Grasslands Inventory 2000-2003. Edit. "alo! Bucuresti", Bucuresti, ISBN: 97386364-7-7, pp. 158
If you wish to obtain more information about this application, please contact with
Danube Delta National Institute (DDNI)
Babadag Str. 165, 8800 TULCEA, Romania
Jenica Hanganu
hanganu@indd.tim.ro
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