The Need to Restore Post-Industrial Ecosystems: Importance and Functions of Riparian Brownfields

  • Roxana VIDICAN University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj
  • Anca PLEȘA University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj
  • Tania MIHĂIESCU University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj
  • Anamaria MĂLINAȘ University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj
  • Bianca POP University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15835/buasvmcn-agr:2022.0033
Keywords: ecosystem services, disturbed ecosystem, riparian brownfield, heavy-metal pollution

Abstract

Healthy riparian areas are of unique importance for delivering a variety of valuable ecological services. Here, we evaluate to which extend the restoration of urban riparian brownfields could increase the amount of ecosystem services provided by this type of habitat. The research was conducted on a post-industrial site located in Baia Mare city, Romania, historically polluted with heavy metals (HM). The ecosystem services provided by this disturbed ecosystem were assessed according to the list of ecosystem services proposed by the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES), and considering the local plant species diversity. Our results showed a limited number of ecosystem services delivered by the disturbed ecosystem analyzed and a species composition mostly formed by non-valuable species. While some groups of plant species identified are native for the riparian habitat, a high percent from species compositions is occupied by the invasive alien species Reynoutria japonica Houtt., impacting the importance and functions of this site. Based on these findings we proposed a list of plant species which could be used in the restoration of this post-industrial ecosystem. This research highlighted the importance of restoration actions on the range of ecosystem services delivered by riparian post-industrial sites.

Author Biographies

Roxana VIDICAN, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj

Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant culture

Anca PLEȘA, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj

Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant culture

Tania MIHĂIESCU, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj

Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Engineering and environmental protection

Anamaria MĂLINAȘ, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj

Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant culture

Bianca POP, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur St. no 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj

Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant culture

Published
2022-11-20
Issue
Vol. 79 No. 2 (2022): BULLETIN OF UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND VETERINARY MEDICINE CLUJ-NAPOCA. AGRICULTURE
Section
Research Articles

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