Building governance for nature conservation: legislative development of Romanian protected areas before and after EU accession

Introduction Protected areas are key tools for conserving biodiversity, but their success depends on how they are governed. In Romania, research on protected area governance has primarily focused on institutional changes, EU accession, or the implementation of Natura 2000, while less attention has been given to how the legal framework itself has changed over time. Methods In this study, we analyzed the development of protected area governance in Romania by examining legal norms adopted from 1990 to 2024. We reviewed legislation issued by national authorities and compared developments before and after Romania’s accession to the EU. Our analysis documented the content of legal norms enacted after 1990, assessed their alignment with EU and international standards, and highlighted key differences between the pre- and post-accession periods. Results We found that before EU membership, the focus was mainly on establishing foundational legal definitions, management rules, and administrative mechanisms. After accession, the focus shifted toward implementing and updating these rules in alignment with EU nature conservation policies, especially through the Natura 2000 network. Conclusion Overall, our results show how successive legal norms have influenced protected area governance in Romania and provide insights into the impact of EU integration on environmental governance in post-communist countries.