Infotrip FERM 2025 | Ion BARBU, PhD in Forestry – Hike through Tinovul Mare: Understanding and Conserving Nature in the Heart of Bukovina

Between July 9–13, 2025, Vatra Dornei hosted the Moldova Regional Economic Forum (FERM), a landmark event dedicated to the economic, social, and infrastructural development of the Moldova Region. The Forum brought together decision-makers, investors, experts, representatives of local and central public administration, business leaders, NGOs, and international institutions from Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, EU member states, the Western Balkans, the Middle East, and Asia.

One of the highlights of this year’s edition was the ”Infotrip” through Tinovul Mare, led by Ion Barbu, PhD in Forestry, a hike that combined the discovery of natural heritage with elements of ecological education and conservation.

Participants:

Nicolae Gurghiș – representative of the Suceava Forestry Directorate

Ion Barbu – PhD in Forestry

Tinovul Mare: a natural treasure of Romania

Located about 18 km from Vatra Dornei, Tinovul Mare in Poiana Stampei is the largest peat bog reserve in the country, impressing visitors with a landscape reminiscent of the Siberian tundra. The peat in the area, with layers up to three meters deep, has historically been used for balneotherapy and agriculture, but today it serves as a symbol of the conservation of unspoiled nature.

The flora of the reserve is remarkable, including rare plants protected by law, such as Drosera rotundifolia, a carnivorous plant declared a natural monument. The predominant trees are Scots pine and downy birch, alongside local birch hybrids, which contribute to the ecological diversity of the area.

Nicolae Gurghiș, representative of the Suceava Forestry Directorate, emphasized the importance of collaborating with specialists like Ion Barbu.

“You will see, it is something you won’t find everywhere, very interesting. I leave it to Professor Barbu to guide you so you can make the most of this experience”

Lessons in natural history and forestry

During the hike, Ion Barbu presented the complexity of the ecosystem and the importance of its conservation.

“The Romanian mountain area is extremely rich from every point of view. The landscape, climate, and land use practices offer huge opportunities for the sustainable development of the region”

Barbu explained the formation of peatlands and their scientific role, highlighting palynology – the study of pollen grains preserved in acidic peat, which allows the reconstruction of local vegetation evolution. He also described how human exploitation over centuries has altered the natural landscape: drainage of peatlands, exploitation of virgin forests, and artificial replanting.

“Our Carpathian forests, until the end of the 19th century, resembled virgin forests. The rush for resources and wealth completely changed these ecosystems. Preserving natural fragments has become essential for future generations”

Conservation and ecological education

The hike through Tinovul Mare offered participants the chance to observe the local fauna, from small herbivores to large carnivores such as bears, wolves, and lynx. Ion Barbu explained how foresters use controlled thinning methods to allow trees to grow harmoniously, including for resonance wood used in musical instruments or even in early 20th-century aircraft structures.

Visitors also learned about carnivorous plants and their unique insect-trapping mechanisms, as well as the importance of peat as a natural substrate for other plant species. Barbu also discussed modern challenges, including the emergence of invasive species such as Yps Duplicatus, which attacks spruce and affects non-native plantations.

“Through care and education, the general public, students, and pupils can decipher the secrets of nature and understand how to relate properly to the environment”

Conclusion

The visit to Tinovul Mare highlighted how the natural heritage of Bukovina can become a driver of sustainable development, not only through tourism but also through education, research, and responsible resource utilization. Through the examples presented by Ion Barbu, participants realized that protecting ecosystems, such as peatlands or virgin forests, is not a luxury but a necessity for biodiversity survival and the quality of life of local communities.

In a world where human-induced changes have dramatically transformed natural landscapes, Tinovul Mare represents a refuge of unspoiled nature and a model for “close to nature” forestry practices. The lessons learned here can be replicated in other areas of the Moldova region, demonstrating that economic development and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive but complementary, providing innovative solutions for the future.