In the heart of the Putna-Vrancea Natural Park, the Cheile Tișiței and Muntele Ciuta areas have been designated as a “Primary Protection Zone for Butterflies.” This unique biodiversity is of inestimable value, yet it faces an invisible threat: light pollution.
Butterflies and other nocturnal insects are attracted to the white or bluish lights from street lamps, residential areas, or tourist facilities. Once near these light sources, many insects become easy prey or die from exhaustion. In this way, a simple bulb can turn into a deadly trap for vulnerable species.
To better understand the impact of light pollution on biodiversity, we have started monitoring activities in the villages of Lepșa and Greșu:
- we inventory the sources of artificial light in the villages,
- we analyze their types and intensity (street, residential, commercial),
- we correlate the data with observations of insect behavior near light sources.
Observations take place mainly on warm, calm nights, especially during weekends and holidays, when lighting is more intense.
The aim is to learn how artificial lighting affects the balance of ecosystems and to identify ways to protect nocturnal species.
In Lepșa and Greșu, we will replace approximately 600 outdoor lamps with warm-light alternatives that are safer for insects. The replacement will be free of charge. Each household receiving a new lamp will also receive an informative leaflet about the protected species in Putna-Vrancea Natural Park and about how we can all contribute to conserving biodiversity.
