Istoric
The story of identifying and protecting Virgin and Quasi-virgin Forests (Old Growth Forests) began in 1986 when the concept first appeared in national forestry norms as virgin and "quasi-virgin forests". WWF has been involved in this process since 2011 through the "Save the Virgin Forests" campaign. Romania assumes the responsibility to protect its Old Growth Forests (OGF), but the process has faced two constant challenges: (1) a lack of clarity on what OGFs are, partly also due to evolving views, and (2) not knowing where these OGFs are.
1986
Forestry Norms
the academic environment draws attention to their importance
formal recognition of Old Growth Forests (OGF) importance
functional category 1-5J
no clear identification criteria
no strict protection regime
2000
Forestry Norms
same functional system
thousands of hectares are already preserved
the academic environment draws attention to the importance
still no clear identification criteria
increasing the risks in light of the chaotic restitution process
2005
PINMATRA Study
detailed identification criteria and indicators;
performed using centralized ICAS database on all FMPs
designed to support the designation process of Natura 2000 sites (> 80% became part of the Nature 2000)
preliminary assessment – the study is more a kind of desktop research
final results are not formally approved by the ICAS scientific council;
results are not fully and transparently published
decision makers are not informed
2010
HCV concept
criteria and indicators harmonized with the PINMATRA ones
thousand of ha are protected on a voluntary basis through FSC® certification
> 3000 only in WWF PCAs
voluntary mechanism
there are few FSC® certified areas
2011
WWF Campaign
petition signed by 100.000 people in a month
CA assumes to amend the Forestry Norms to ensure their protection
MoU for establishing the National Catalogue of Virgin and Cvasivirgin Forests – as an evidence and management tool to protect OGF
As the OGF were not clearly identified, the only chance to speed up the process was to make it more transparent and participatory – to allow interested stakeholders to bring their contribution
2012
Protection Status
MO 3397
Participatory and transparent process for setting up the identification criteria
Strict protection regime is enforced
Criteria and indicators harmonized with PINMATRA
FMP revision is the only way to ensure OGF protection
A moratorium is established for PINMATRA areas – but only for those with a production role (15%)
PINMATRA results are is not officially published – moratorium cannot be applied
NO functional compensatory mechanism for private owners
2014
Carpathian Convention
identification criteria are established for virgin forests
they were developed by groups of experts
they were finally assumed by the official representatives of the Carpathian countries
they were very much in line with the Romanian legislation provisions
does not have legal levers to speed up the process in Romania
2015
Forestry Code
The protection of virgin forests is strengthened by law provisions
Imposes the establishment of the National Catalog as a tool for evidence and management of virgin and quasi-virgin forests
The legal procedures, to make the process more transparent and dynamic, must wait for the elaboration of a Ministerial Order
2016
National Catalog V1 MO 1467
the PINPATRA results are officially published by CA
the moratorium procedures can be formally implemented (relevant only for 15%);
forest management design entities can start considering the PINMATRA results
a national Working Group is formed to develop the National Catalogue’s procedures (NGOs, ICAS, CA, Forest universities, Forest Administrator, Experts).
the 1st version of the National Catalog of is published – MO 1417
the MO provisions have loopholes that could undermine its scope
the normative act is rebuilt
2017
National Catalog
MO 2525
new participatory and transparent approach – anyone can practically get involved
2 moratoriums are established (all PINMATRA & any formally submitted studies)
new clarifications for identification criteria (based from the ones approved by Carpathian Convention)
the necessary procedures are quite complex
the process is progressing very slowly
low capacity of CA for a proper implementation
still NO functional compensatory mechanism for private owners
2019
1st attempt
CA study on OGF
pre-assessment of over 300,000 ha of potential OGF is coordinated by CA
participatory and transparent process
public consultation for potential OGF identification – areas to be included for field evaluations – coordinated by CA
public tender for the OGF identification is launched
no one participates in the auction
procedures to ensure protection of the already identified OGF are progressing very slowly
2020
Guideline
clarifying procedures aiming to have a harmonized implementation
transparent and participatory process
cannot be clarified all the terms and procedures – it’s finally a matter of assumption
COVID context slow down the process
2020
CA’s OGF
identification studies
transparent and participatory process
public consultation for identification of potential OGF areas to be included under the scope of the study (40,000 ha)
moratorium to put on hold any harvesting authorization
teams of specialists
according to the ToRs, the process will last for at least one year
2020
EU Biodiversity Strategy
The European Biodiversity Strategy is published, stating that OGFs are strictly protected throughout Europe
OGFs are part of the 10% strict protection target
There are still no clear definition and criteria for identifying them
PNRR does not include resources for identifying potential areas to be included in the 10% strict protection regime, including OGFs
2021
CA’s OGF;
identification studies
The results of field evaluations, based on the criteria and national indicators, are operated in the Catalogue
More than 26 thousand hectares are introduced
The catalog includes 70,069 ha
Apart from WWF, there are no entities really concerned with following the procedures for establishing strict protection for the identified virgin or quasivirgin forests
2022
Romania undertakes the 10%, respectively 30% objectives and the protection of OGF
Following WWF’s proposal, the PNRR includes resources for identifying potential areas for 10% strict protection, including OGF
The European Commission delays finalizing the Guidelines for OGF
March 2023
The European Commission’s guide that defines and sets the identification criteria of OGF is published
The guide is very general – it leaves room for opposed interpretations
A regionally harmonized approach is recommended to further develop the national methodologies
May 2023
National Catalog
MO 2525
The area identified and included in the catalog reaches 72279.43 ha
September 2023
10% Strict protection identification (including the OGF)
An independent expert consortium is selected to identify the 10% strict protection areas, including OGF
The methodology and criteria proposed by WWF are taken into account
The deadline set for 2025 Q4
October 2023
Carpathian Convention
Setting criteria and indicators for cvasivirgin forests at Carpathian Convention level
It does not bring new elements at national level
November 2023
The first draft of the methodology to identify the OGF is developed by the consortium
The criteria and indicators do not bring much clarity compared to those elaborated at the EU level
2024 - present
In the absence of a public debate, WWF reiterates the proposals for the 10% strict protection areas
Only a few EU countries have assumed clear objectives regarding the designation of 10% strict protection areas and the protection of OGF
Criteria and indicators to identify Virgin and Cvasivirgin Forests (Old Growth Forests) in Romania
Definition: The virgin forest is the forest which was formed and developed exclusively under the action of natural factors and in which the ecosystem processes in their dynamics occur without any direct or indirect anthropic influence.