local agenda 21 local plan for sustainable development of bistriþa ...

BISTRITA
13
I.1 ASSSESMENT OF THE NATURAL
CAPITAL
I.1.1 Geographic position – lat/ long. 47.1˚ N
24.5˚E
Bistrita municipality, which is part of the county of
Bistrita-Nasaud, is situated in the Bistrita depression,
on the lower course of river Bistrita Ardeleana at the
altitude of 358 m. The town has a central-southeastern
position within the county.
The Bistrita depression forms part of Bistrita Hills, a
subdivision of the Transylvania Plateau, between the
Somesul Mare passage to the north and north-west;
the Dipsei Valley running until Sirisoara, and further
on, the Sieului Passage, running until the junction with
Somesul Mare, to the south-west; to the east, the hill
runs a few hundred meters towards the Calimani and
Bargau mountains.
The Bistrita depression is connected to the Sieului
passage to the south-west, and closed in by the
Sieului peak; while to the north-east it continues with
the Livezile-Bargau passage.
The hilly peaks guarding the city are oriented in an
north-east to south-east direction and are represented
by the Fortress Hills to the north-west (Fortress Hill,
680 m, Ruja Hill, 475m, Schulerwald, Hill 469m, Hebal
Hill, 546m), Mocilor (Jelnei), 607m, and Budacului,
475m, to the southeast.
I.1.2 Relief
Due to its mountain relief with rich flora, the
microclimate in Bistrita has the characteristics of a
locality situated at a higher altitude than is the case –
at 350 m.
I.1.3 Climate
Due to its geographical position, Bistrita-Nasaud
county is situated in an area characterised by a
moderate continental climate influenced by air masses
from the Atlantic Ocean, as well as temporary polar
air, especially in winter.
Within the county, Bistrita municipality has a
temperate-continental climate, with relatively humid
and warm summers, and less dry, but cold winters.
The average annual temperature in Bistrita is 8.3°C,
the highest temperature ever recorded is 37.6°C, on
16 august 1952; the minimum temperature on record
is -33.8°C, on 18 of January 1963. The coldest month
is January, with an annual average of - 4.7°C; the
warmest month is July, with an annual average of
18.9°C.
The average date for the first frost is 4 October, with
last frost on 29 April; the average duration without frost
is 158 days. The average number of summer days is
52 (max. temps above 25°C), with an average 33
winter days (temps below zero).
The prevalent winds blow from the west during the
summer and from the north-east during the winter.
There is an annual average rainfall of 680 mm, with
the rainiest month being June (90 mm), the driest
February (20 mm). The average duration of snow
cover is 65 days; maximum snow thickness 52 cm.
I.1.4 Primary and secondary resources
The municipality’s resources come from the natural
capital of the area and anthropic capital, represented
by the economically active population in the urban
centre.
Among its natural resources, water and soil are
essential for present and future growth of the
municipality, with sustainable development depending
on their existence in necessary quantities and at the
right quality. The hills of the neighbouring area are
covered in pasture; hay fields; apple, pair, cherry and
plum orchards; walnut trees; and leafy forests. The
dominant species in the forests is the durmast: others
include hornbeam, acacia, ash tree, cherry tree,
corneal tree, hazel tree, elder tree.
Animal life in the durmast forests around the
municipality is specific to hilly relief: rabbit, fox, stag,
deer, and wild boar.