The rehabilitation of mine waste dumps is a critical environmental challenge, particularly in areas like Uricani, Romania, where such sites are often characterized by hazardous conditions and poor ecological recovery. This study addresses the need for efficient, low-cost solutions for land reclamation by employing UAV photogrammetry and GIS spatial analysis to assess the potential for afforestation with Robinia pseudoacacia L., a species known for its soil stabilization and ecological benefits. Using UAV technology, high-resolution digital terrain models and orthophotos were generated, with an RMSE of 0.086 m, demonstrating the accuracy and efficiency of this method for large-scale landscape initiatives. GIS spatial analysis was performed to create six key terrain maps and four pedoclimatic factor maps, essential for evaluating the site’s suitability for ecological restoration. The pilot afforestation project, which involved planting R. pseudoacacia, achieved a 75% survival rate after four years, suggesting that the species can thrive under the site’s conditions. The landscape design proposal incorporates recreational spaces aimed at benefiting the local community and attracting tourism, thereby contributing to the area’s economic and cultural revitalization. The interdisciplinary integration of UAV surveying, GIS, and landscape design highlights the cost-effectiveness and interdisciplinary nature of this approach, offering a sustainable model for mine waste dump reclamation and future ecological restoration projects.

Paulownia trees represent a convergence of ecological innovation and economic opportunity. Beyond their extraordinary growth rates, adaptability to diverse climates, and capacity to produce high-value timber, Paulownia farms offer a unique solution to pressing environmental and economic challenges. However, economic sustainability is the most crucial factor for any farmer when deciding to introduce this species. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the profitability of seven existing Paulownia farms in Romania. The economic analysis has been carried out by adopting the discounted cash flow method. The results showed that the cultivation of Paulownia for both timber and woodchip production as a dual production system with an annual gross margin between 27 and 55% can present a viable alternative as compared to other agricultural crops. However, profitability highly depends on the selection of plant species according to the environmental conditions and agricultural practices applied, as well as demand and market price variations.

Paulownia trees represent a convergence of ecological innovation and economic opportunity. Beyond their extraordinary growth rates, adaptability to diverse climates, and capacity to produce high-value timber, Paulownia farms offer a unique solution to pressing environmental and economic challenges. However, economic sustainability is the crucial factor for any farmer to decide the introduction of this species. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the profitability of seven existing paulownia farms from Romania. The economic analysis has been carried out by adopting the discounted cash flow method. The results showed that the cultivation of Paulownia for both timber and woodchip production as a dual production system with an annual gross margin between 27-55% can present a viable alternative as compared to other agricultural crops. However, the profitability highly depends on the selection of plant species according to certain environmental conditions, agricultural practices applied but also on demand and market price variations.

The brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) is the only bear species on the Romanian territory, its natural habitat occupying a third of the country’s surface, including the entire mountain area as well as the hills in the immediate vicinity. The bear population in Romania is the largest in Europe, increasing every year due to legislative protection, the species being present in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. The fragmentation of the bears’ habitat is the main cause of conflict occurrences between bears and the human population, which have occurred increasingly often in recent years. The main aim of this study is the ecological diagnosis of lands populated with bears in Romania to identify the highest quality habitats within the hunting grounds and to identify possible ecological corridors aimed at preserving the connectivity between them, using GIS spatial analysis techniques and taking into account the ecological conditions needed for the brown bear to survive. Following the spatial modelling of the open-source data, it was possible to observe the presence of habitats of the highest quality that could support a bear population outside the areas where bear specimens are concentrated (the counties of Mureș, Bistrița, Harghita, Covasna, Neamț, Buzau, Vrancea, Prahova, Brașov, Sibiu, and Argeș). The analysis of these habitats, where the bear population has exceeded the optimal level that they can support, highlighted that to allow the passage of bear specimens from one habitat to another, it is necessary to create ecological corridors in several key areas deducted on the basis of mathematical models.

In recent decades, research on the effects of physical fields– particularly electric and magnetic– on biological processes in plants has developed significantly. These fields can influence seed germination, cellular activity, and the subsequent development of seedlings, offering innovative perspectives in agriculture and forestry. The present study evaluated the impact of electric and magnetic fields on spruce seeds, with the aim of improving germination rates and seedling growth. For the electric field, three voltages (10V, 30V, 50V) and two exposure times (15 and 35 minutes) were tested. The most effective combination was 10V for 35 minutes, while the 50V- 15 minutes’ variant had negative effects. The highest seedling height was obtained at 10V 15minutes. In the case of the magnetic field, the seeds were exposed to three different times intervals- 10, 20, and 30 minutes- at an intensity of 0.22 × 10⁻³ T. A 20-minutes exposure resulted in the highest germination rate and produced seedlings with significantly greater heights compared to the control and other variants. The results demonstrate the positive effect of using physical fields as an ecological and efficient method for stimulating germination and plant development, offering valuable applications in forest regeneration and the production of high-quality seedlings.