A series of complex ecological reconstruction works have been completed (in autumn 2023) on the Gilort River. They were carried out as part of the LIFE project “Restoration of the migration lanes and habitats for rheophilic fish species in the Gilort River” - Fish for Life, within the radius of Bengești-Ciocadia commune. They included works in the riverbed, aimed at increasing the diversity of habitats for the rheophilic fish species that inhabit the Gilort River. Last but not least, a series of tree plantings were completed in the Natura 2000 Gilort River site.

Ecological reconstruction works in the riverbed include engineered logs or threshold logs, ELJ structures - engineered log jam and barracks made from tree trunks. More than 200 anchorages of variable sizes were installed on the Galbenu River, with the aim of dispersing the water’s energy and creating local alternation of the flow regime (rapid waters, calm waters, stilling pools, etc.).

As for the plantings, they aim to restore the connectivity of the riparian forests along the Gilort River and contribute to the reduction of bank erosion and provide shade to the riparian areas. These were achieved by planting 13,000 saplings on an area of 3.09 ha. Four species were used for planting, namely white willow, black alder, black poplar/white poplar and ash.

On two of the river sectors, the plantings on the banks were carried out in the same areas where work was also done in the riverbed. This solution was chosen based on the fact that the bank defence works carried out in the riverbed will deteriorate over time, but their protective role will be taken over by the trees that will grow on the bank, whose submerged roots will form ridges. Thus, over time, the shore will be protected against erosion and fish will find new habitats for resting, feeding, breeding and, very importantly, refuge during floods.