Natural Habitat
Moldova's natural habitat is characterized by forest steppes, a temperate-climate habitat type composed of grassland interspersed with areas of woodland or forest. A belt of forest steppes cross Eurasia from eastern Europe to Eastern Siberia, forming a transition between temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and temperate grasslands. In the 19th century Moldova witnessed a sharp decrease in the forested areas, sacrificed for agriculture due to rich soil.
| land formation | area, km² | of which currently forests, km² | % forests | habitat type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Moldavian Hills | 4,630 | 476 | 10.3% | forest steppe |
| Dniester-Rāut Ridge | 2,480 | 363 | 14.6% | forest steppe |
| Middle Prut Valley | 2,930 | 312 | 10.6% | forest steppe |
| Bălţi Steppe | 1,920 | 51 | 2.7% | steppe |
| Ciuluc-Soloneţ Hills | 1,690 | 169 | 10.0% | forest steppe |
| Corneşti Hills (Codru) | 4,740 | 1,300 | 27.5% | forest |
| Lower Dniester Hills | 3,040 | 371 | 12.2% | forest steppe |
| Lower Prut Valley | 1,810 | 144 | 8.0% | forest steppe |
| Tigheci Hills | 3,550 | 533 | 15.0% | forest steppe |
| Bugeac Plain | 3,210 | 195 | 6.1% | steppe |
| part of Podolian Plateau | 1,920 | 175 | 9.1% | forest steppe |
| part of Eurasian Steppe | 1,920 | 140 | 7.3% | steppe |
| Total | 33,840 | 4,228 | 12,5% | forest steppe |
Read more about this topic: Geography Of Moldova
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