Beavers (Castor fiber L.) are recognized as keystone ecological engineers who shape freshwater ecosystems by modifying hydrology, sediment dynamics, and biodiversity. Although beaver populations have recovered across Europe, including Romania, understanding the environmental factors driving their dam distribution remains limited. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physical and compositional features of beaver dams in the Râul Negru basin, Romania, (ii) model the environmental variables influencing the dam distribution using MaxEnt, and (iii) evaluate the implications for broader conservation strategies. Over a five-year survey covering 353.7 km of watercourses, 135 beaver families were identified, with an estimated population of 320–512 individuals. The dam dimensions showed strong correlations with the river slope, channel width, and wetness index. Predictive models based on LIDAR data achieved over 90% accuracy, outperforming SRTM-based models. The results reveal that topographic wetness, flow accumulation, and valley morphology are the strongest predictors of dam presence. These findings contribute to proactive beaver management strategies, highlighting areas of potential future expansion and offering data-driven guidance for balancing ecosystem restoration with human land use, contributing to the development of conservation strategies that balance ecosystem engineering by beavers with human land-use needs in Romania and across Europe.

Human-Wildlife conflict (HWC) presents a growing challenge for wildlife conservation, especially as species recover and reoccupy human-dominated landscapes, creating tensions between ecological goals and local livelihoods. Such conflicts are increasingly reported across Europe, including Romania, involving semi-aquatic species like the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra L.). Enhancing coexistence with wildlife through the integration of conflict mapping, stakeholder engagement, and spatial analysis into conservation planning is therefore essential for ensuring the long-term protection of conflict species. A mixed-methods approach was used, including structured surveys among stakeholders, standardized damage report collection from institutions, and expert field assessments of species activity. The results indicate that while most respondents recognize the legal protection of both species, a minority have experienced direct conflict, primarily with beavers through flooding and crop damage. Tolerance varied markedly among demographic groups: researchers and environmental agency staff were most accepting, whereas farmers and fish farm owners were the least accepting; respondents with no personal damage experience and those with university or post-secondary education also displayed significantly higher acceptance toward both species. Institutional reports confirmed multiple beaver-related damage sites, and through field validation, conflict forecast zones with spatial clustering in Harghita, Brașov, Covasna, and Sibiu counties were developed. These findings underscore the importance of conflict forecasting maps, understanding the coexistence dynamics and drivers of acceptance, and the need to maintain high acceptance levels toward the studied species. The developed maps can serve as a basis for targeted interventions, helping to balance ecological benefits with socioeconomic concerns.

The alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) once vanished from Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, but a reintroduction initiative launched in 1973 has since fostered population recovery. This study evaluates the long-term success of those efforts and explores the feasibility of further reintroductions. Population data from 2004 to 2025 across the Rodna, Retezat, and Făgăraș Mountains show a steady growth trend, culminating in a national population of approximately 815 individuals by 2025. Habitat quality was assessed using a Habitat Suitability Index, identifying robust colonies that could serve as donor populations. Additionally, an Ecological Diagnostic Key was developed to evaluate 27 potential reintroduction sites in the Țarcu, Ciucaș, and Bucegi Mountains. Findings reveal that 61 ha are suitable for reintroduction, with 40.5 ha rated as highly suitable. The study proposes a phased reintroduction strategy, combining individuals from established Romanian colonies with genetically diverse founders from Western Europe. It emphasizes soft-release protocols and calls for mitigation of anthropogenic pressures. This research supports a broader conservation framework that integrates habitat evaluation, demographic stability, and genetic health to enhance the alpine marmot’s persistence and expansion in Romania.