Distribution and Habitat Selection of Wintering Birds in the Special Protection Area ROSPA0071 ”Lower Siret Meadow” (Eastern Romania)

Abstract

The ecosystems from the Special Protection Area ROSPA0071 „Lower Siret Meadow” (36492 ha, between Adjud city, Vrancea County and Şendreni village, Galaţi County) in the analysed sector (sixteen sample surfaces) present a scientific interest because of the geographical, ecological and biological characteristics. The paper treats details such as the number of individuals, the spatial distribution, availability of suitable habitats and threats, necessary data for the evaluation of the conservation status. We present the data obtained in the period 2010–2014 from 64 field visits in the Special Protection Area ROSPA0071 „Lower Siret Meadow”, all made in the hiemal season. The observations were made as an activity of monitoring the protected bird species distribution and habitat selection of wintering populations. Five important sites were identified as being used by wintering birds here. During the monitoring actions, eighty–one bird species were identified. The paper brings new data about the way birds use their range and existing habitats for wintering.

Construction Techniques and Detailing for Romanian Paiantă Houses: An Engineering Perspective

“…The timber species used for the walls were most often oak and holm, but fir and spruce, or a mix of coniferous wood can also be used [20]. The timber was prepared much earlier than the start of the construction process.…”

“…The timber was cut in the winter, when the trees have less sap. If the cut is made in the summer, the timber cracks significantly and this later facilitates the occurrence of biological decay [20]. The bark should be removed soon after cutting, so that the wood would dry faster and not rot.…”

“…rammed earth, with yellow clay; in the Dobrogea area (southeastern Romania), layer of horizontal reed ("trestie") or twigs was placed in the wall every 10 cm o rammed earth; -clay mixed with straw, chaff ("pleavă"), manure ("balegă"), thistles ("mărăcini"); -alternated layers of stone and burned clay brick walls (Figure 5); -wattle and daub ("împletitură" or "grădele"); it may contain diagonal braces (calle "paiante") (Figure 6); -vertical log walls ("bârne"); -timber braced "paiantă" walls with infills made of wattle and daub, horizontal o vertical planks, earth and straw, oven burned mud brick (Figure 7); unburned mu brick, horizontal timber strips on both sides of the posts infilled with mud and straw (called "șipcuială") (Figure 8); -burned or unburned mud brick masonry walls. The timber species used for the walls were most often oak and holm, but fir and spruce, or a mix of coniferous wood can also be used [20]. The timber was prepared much earlier than the start of the construction process.…”

“…The clay used for the infills should be yellow and as sticky as possible [20]. To obtain a more stable infill, casein (from milk) was sometimes mixed with lime and clay.…”

“…Similar structures were identified in archeological sites dating from the Bronze Age and the Middle Age, most frequently located in the hilly and mountainous areas of the country. Comprehensive descriptions of various types of traditional buildings in Romania, viewed from engineering and architectural perspectives, can be found in [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. At present, a relatively small number of publications in English language can be found on this subject, especially when seeking for an engineering perspective about their configuration and behavior under various actions.…”