Chapter 17
Potential Impact of Climate Change
on Alpine Habitats from Bucegi Natural
Park, Romania
Anca Sa ˆrbu, Paulina Anastasiu, and Daniela Smarandache
17.1 Climate Change and Protected Areas
The predicted increase in global temperature (annual average 1.1–6.4
C) and the
changes in the amount and distribution of precipitation (IPCC 2007), represent a
significant challenge for the plants and habitats within and outside of protected
areas (Andrade et al. 2010). Some studies anticipate a reduction of 58 % of plant
and animal diversity in the protected areas of Europe by the end of 2080 (Arau ´jo
et al. 2011). Alpine plants within and outside protected areas, are expected to
experience significant impacts as a results of climate change, during this century
(Erschbamer et al. 2009). According to Theurillat et al. (1998), high mountains such
as the Alps can be particularly vulnerable to climate change and the impact of the
combined effects of human activity and climate change are more and more visible
(Fischlin et al. 2007). In this context, the concept of adaptative management of
nature reserves can become a potential way to proactively respond to climate
change influences (Fazey et al. 2009).
17.2 Area of Study
The focus of this chapter is the identification of the threats that concern alpine
habitats, of the way in which these habitats might react to such threats and of those
aspects that could be scientifically significant in supporting the selection of the
adequate management practices. For the purpose of this study, Bucegi Natural Park
in Romania was taken as a case study and the Festuca supina Schur grassland
(Natura 2000 code 6150–Siliceous alpine and boreal grasslands), which represent
A. Sa ˆrbu (*) • P. Anastasiu • D. Smarandache
Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Bucharest, Aleea Portocalelor 1-3,
Sector 5, 060101 Bucures ¸ti, Romania
e-mail: anchusa24@yahoo.com; anastasiup@yahoo.com; d.smarandache@yahoo.com
S. Rannow and M. Neubert (eds.), Managing Protected Areas in Central
and Eastern Europe Under Climate Change, Advances in Global Change Research 58,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-7960-0_17, © The Author(s) 2014
259
Potential Impact of Climate Change
on Alpine Habitats from Bucegi Natural
Park, Romania
Anca Sa ˆrbu, Paulina Anastasiu, and Daniela Smarandache
17.1 Climate Change and Protected Areas
The predicted increase in global temperature (annual average 1.1–6.4
C) and the
changes in the amount and distribution of precipitation (IPCC 2007), represent a
significant challenge for the plants and habitats within and outside of protected
areas (Andrade et al. 2010). Some studies anticipate a reduction of 58 % of plant
and animal diversity in the protected areas of Europe by the end of 2080 (Arau ´jo
et al. 2011). Alpine plants within and outside protected areas, are expected to
experience significant impacts as a results of climate change, during this century
(Erschbamer et al. 2009). According to Theurillat et al. (1998), high mountains such
as the Alps can be particularly vulnerable to climate change and the impact of the
combined effects of human activity and climate change are more and more visible
(Fischlin et al. 2007). In this context, the concept of adaptative management of
nature reserves can become a potential way to proactively respond to climate
change influences (Fazey et al. 2009).
17.2 Area of Study
The focus of this chapter is the identification of the threats that concern alpine
habitats, of the way in which these habitats might react to such threats and of those
aspects that could be scientifically significant in supporting the selection of the
adequate management practices. For the purpose of this study, Bucegi Natural Park
in Romania was taken as a case study and the Festuca supina Schur grassland
(Natura 2000 code 6150–Siliceous alpine and boreal grasslands), which represent
A. Sa ˆrbu (*) • P. Anastasiu • D. Smarandache
Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Bucharest, Aleea Portocalelor 1-3,
Sector 5, 060101 Bucures ¸ti, Romania
e-mail: anchusa24@yahoo.com; anastasiup@yahoo.com; d.smarandache@yahoo.com
S. Rannow and M. Neubert (eds.), Managing Protected Areas in Central
and Eastern Europe Under Climate Change, Advances in Global Change Research 58,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-7960-0_17, © The Author(s) 2014
259