摘要
The present paper is the first study conducted in Romania on the inventory of wetlands of a large surface of the country. The focus of this study is the Moldavian Plateau, located in the east of Romania. It is delimitated by the Eastern Carpathians on the west, the Romanian Plain on the south, the Ukrainian border on the north and the Prut Valley (border with the Republic of Moldavia) on the east. Although the Moldavian Plateau is situated in the driest region of Romania, the majority of the wetlands and of the low discharge rivers is found in this region. The existence of numerous wetlands, respectively small ponds, is influenced by the human activities and the scarcity of water resources. The impermeable clayey substratum favored the occurrence and survival of a large number of wetlands. Most of them are found in the northern Moldavian Plain, and the fewest to the south, in the Covurlui Plateau. The most important wetlands are those developed along the two main rivers draining this territory: Prut and Siret. Unfortunately, Siret River floodplain has been in most of its part protected by means of flood prevention dikes. Consequently, many of the wetlands entered agricultural use.