Abstract:

The Pietros Biosphere Reserve is a 3300 ha large mountainous area in the eastern Carpathians, with its lowest point at 734 m a.s.l., and several peaks over 2000 m. Sixty-four species of birds are known to nest in the area. Prunella collaris was the most important representative of the alpine and rocky areas. The most characteristic species for the sub-alpine meadows wasanthus spinoletia, whereas Lyrurus tetrix was typical of Pinus mugo thickets. The most species-rich bird fauna was found at the boundary between deciduous forests and juniper and pine trees in the sub-alpine zone. The sub-alpine truffle in between coniferous forests was a typical habitat for Turdus torquatus. Closed coniferous forests provided habitats for many species characteristic for pine forests, such as Picoides trydactilus and Tetrao urogallus. The bird associations in mixed (beech and spruce fir) forests also comprised species representative of beech forests, a typical of which is Dendrocopos leucolos. The reserve contains populations of several ground-nesting birds and birds of prey that depend on continued habitat protection.