Background Located in the Pietrosul Rodnei Biosphere Reserve, part of the Rodnei Mountains National Park in the Carpathian Mountains in northern Romania, this project targeted the restoration of three seriously threatened alpine forest habitats: cembra pine (Pinus cembra), spruce (Picea abies) and mugo pine (Pinus mugo). The actions were implemented by planting seedlings over 50 hectares including the avalanche area of Mount Pietrosul Rodnei. The 6,415-ha Pietrosul Rodnei Biosphere Reserve, now also a proposed Natura 2000 site, hosts a number of habitats and species of Community interest, some of which have become damaged by human activities. The main threats include tourism e.g. skiing, hiking, mountaineering, selective logging, livestock-grazing and disturbance from hunting e.g. of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). Among the habitats of Community interest in the reserve, forests are the most seriously degraded, surviving in some cases in only small patches. Some, such as the cembra pine, mugo pine and spruce from the project area only survive at 1%, 20%, and 21% respectively, of their former area. In the past, a large population of cembra pine was present in the targeted area, but with only around 40 over-aged trees remaining, the species population has become almost extinct locally. In Romania, the cembra pine grows, together with mugo pine and spruce, at high altitudes (1,600-2,000 metres). It also occurs in the Polish, Ukrainian and Slovak Carpathians, as well as the Austrian, Swiss, French and Italian Alps. The species' habitat, which has a priority status according to the Habitats Directive, is important for a number of reasons, including reforestation in the sub-Alpine zone, and landscaping. Its wood is used for the manufacture of furniture and crafts, and its seeds are one of the most important food resources for the bird species, the nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes). The distributional trend of another priority habitat, Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsutum shrubland, is also decreasing in the Pietrosul. When allowed to grow naturally, its continuous carpet effect helps guard against soil erosion. However, during the 1970s, the P. mugo carpet was cut over a large area in the Pietrosul to create land for livestock grazing. As a result, the area has become more prone to avalanches. For example, in 1996 an avalanche killed four hikers within the LIFE project area. Objectives The project’s main objective was the recovery of the cembra pine/spruce and mugo pine habitats in a 50-ha area, located mainly on the very steep (40-60°) northern slopes of Mt. Pietrosul Rodnei, (rising to 2,303 metres it is the highest peak in the Rodnei Mountains). The work included the planting of seedlings originating from neighbouring areas within the reserve, with similar genetic origin and environmental requirements. The conservation of other flora and fauna was also tackled through the drawing up and execution of a management plan for the whole reserve, backed up by surveillance and monitoring. Ahead of the planting of the seedlings, a chalet refuge was built. During the project implementation, the chalet housed the workers, project team, and researchers – providing shelter during activities such as the seedlings’ plantation, the scientific inventory of the woody, herbaceous, bird and carnivore species and GIS measurements. Since the project ended, the chalet has been put to use by the National Park, mainly by the park warden. A GIS distribution map was also prepared for the forest, herbaceous, and stony habitats in the reserve. The planting, together with its associated activities, proved to be the most laborious and difficult of tasks. For example, sticks and seedlings were transported from Borsa (650 m elevation) to the project area (1,800 m elevation) along a very treacherous path, using a primitive caterpillar track. The sticks, used for field marking of the seedlings, were carried on workers’ back to the planting area. Another laborious task was the digging of the seedling beds in spring and the planting in autumn. An awareness-raising campaign was launched at the start of the project, which continued throughout the project period. Results The project's main achievement was the successful reintroduction of cembra pine and its restoration together with the mugo pine and spruce on 50-ha. In total, 15 500 seedlings were used for the restoration instead of the 10 000 foreseen. The monitoring of the restoration work confirmed that the correct methodology was used, as shown by the high survival rate of seedlings. Another major output was the management plan setting out actions to be taken during the project and establishing a working framework for long-term conservation and management of the reserve. After the establishment of the national park in 2004, the scope of this plan was extended from the foreseen area of the biosphere reserve to the entire area of the national park. The plan includes economic and conservation activities for the sustainable development of the area with special emphasis to specific actions regarding the restoration of woody habitats and conservation of all flora and fauna habitats. This action involved consultation with local administrators, stakeholders and local residents, and the organisation of three workshops the final of which took place in May 2007. The beneficiary also organised an international IUFRO conference (37 participants from 11 countries) focusing on pines, including cembra pine. The project team also produced several awareness-raising products including a brochure, two leaflets and two short films, all of which were distributed to stakeholders both regionally and nationwide. Finally, the project’s after-LIFE conservation plan foresees a continuation of activities, initiated during the LIFE project, especially maintenance of seedlings and young plants and the monitoring of restoration success. This project has been selected as one of the 26 "Best" LIFE Nature projects in 2007-2008.