Nature in Moldova

Moldova extends about 350 km from north to south and about 150 km from west to east. Forest and steppe are the dominant natural formations. Northern Moldova combines forest and agricultural landscapes, the central Codri contain important forest ecosystems, and the southern Prut and Danube region includes floodplains and wetlands. In 2025, arable land accounted for 48.1% of the land area, permanent crops for 6.6%, pasture and hay meadows for 9.8%, forests for 14.4%, and water bodies and marshes for 2.8%. Agriculture, erosion, fragmentation, drought and water shortages place pressure on habitats. Moldova's protected-area system includes scientific reserves, national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves, landscape reserves, areas with multifunctional management, biosphere reserves and wetlands of international importance. Protected areas cover about 209,700 hectares, or 6.2% of the state territory, and the national target for 2030 is 10%. Examples include Parcul Național Orhei, Parcul Național Nistrul de Jos, Rezervația Codrii, Pădurea Domnească, Plaiul Fagului and Prutul de Jos. Moldova has three Ramsar sites covering about 94,705 hectares. The Rezervația Biosferei Prutul de Jos covers 14,732 hectares and is part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere programme. Natura 2000 habitat mapping took place in 2025, with designation procedures and a legal framework developing in 2026; it should not yet be treated as a fully established access label for every site. Access depends on the site's category, zoning, management plan and local rules. Restrictions can cover collecting plants, disturbing or killing protected animals, lighting fires, leaving waste, driving vehicles and entering sensitive areas. There is no single national entrance fee established for all natural sites; local administrations, reserve managers or providers may charge for entry, guiding, accommodation, camping or other services. Seasonal rules can change during breeding periods, high water, fire danger or other sensitive conditions. Moldova records about 1,842 vascular plant species and approximately 4,600 lower plants and fungi. The 2015 Cartea Roșie lists 208 plant and fungi taxa and 219 animal species or taxa. The country has more than 280 bird species, about 90 fish species, 75 mammals, 14 reptiles and 14 amphibians. Important habitats include the waterbird migration area at Prutul de Jos, the bison enclosure and floodplains of Pădurea Domnească, the red deer and beech ecosystems of Plaiul Fagului, and the forest ecosystems of Codri. Protected species listed in the Cartea Roșie and species covered by CITES rules cannot be collected, captured, killed or traded. Nature is also used for forestry, agriculture, grazing, fishing, hunting and the collection of fruits, berries, medicinal and aromatic plants or honey. Moldsilva, the Agenția de Mediu, the Inspectoratul pentru Protecția Mediului, local administrators and other responsible bodies regulate these activities. Fishing and hunting depend on permits, quotas, seasons, methods and zoning. Hunting is governed by Law No. 55/2024 and the applicable ministerial rules for quotas, methods and seasons, including the 2026–2027 season. Fishing access is supported by the e-Pescuit platform and the applicable fisheries legislation. Traditional use may continue in transition or multifunctional zones, while core zones generally exclude economic use. Permits or use fees may apply, but no single national tariff covers every activity. Nature-based recreation is available through marked forest and water trails, guided visits, information centres, nature museums, accommodation and camping at some sites. Providers include Moldsilva, reserve and park administrations and local public administrations. Provision is uneven, and access may be affected by weather, fire risk, nesting periods, flooding, vehicle restrictions and local site rules. Environmental education takes place through school biology and geography, higher-education and research activities, reserve trails, visitor centres, nature museums, guided tours, campaigns and actions by non-governmental organisations or local administrations. Environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments support decisions on projects and plans that may affect nature. Public access to environmental information and consultation is available within the relevant procedures. Nature-related hazards include vegetation and forest fires, heat and drought, low water levels, floods and flash floods, and pollution of water bodies and habitats. Flood-risk plans for 2026–2031 cover the Nistru and the Dunărea–Prut–Marea Neagră basin, including maps, warning arrangements and measures concerning riparian forests and flood zones. During the highest fire-danger class, IGSU warnings apply, and open fires or the burning of dry vegetation are prohibited or sanctioned under the applicable rules. The emergency number is 112. The 2026 hydrological situation includes alarm and water-deficit concerns affecting the Nistru, with cross-border dependencies. Conflicts commonly arise between farming or grazing and habitat protection, timber or other forest use and conservation, water extraction or hydraulic engineering and river ecology, hunting or fishing and species populations, and recreation, vehicles or fires and soil or habitat recovery. Relevant projects can involve environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, public consultation, inspection by the Inspectoratul pentru Protecția Mediului, damage assessment by that inspectorate and remediation planning by the responsible company. The Agenția de Mediu can assess severity and remediation requirements, including costs, deadlines and monitoring. The Nistru and Prut systems, Ramsar sites and floodplain ecosystems also create cross-border links with Romania and Ukraine.