Landscape connectivity without governance? Exploring wildlife presence and corridor influence in urbanizing Carpathian Areas

Enhancing landscape connectivity is essential for facilitating wildlife movement, supporting habitat restoration, and maintaining ecological functionality. However, such improvements may inadvertently increase the frequency of human–wildlife interactions (HWIs), particularly in areas where ecological corridors intersect with human settlements. This dynamic is exemplified in Romania’s Prahova Valley, a region within the Carpathian Mountains where large protected areas inhabited by species such as the brown bear ( Ursus arctos ), grey wolf ( Canis lupus ), and wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) are adjacent to major tourist towns. In recent decades, both residents and tourists have reported a notable rise in HWIs. Although ecological corridors have been conceptually integrated into Romanian legislation, no formal implementation or regulation has been realized to date. In the Prahova Valley, preliminary studies have proposed potential habitat linkages, but their impact remains unverified. This study examines the hypothesis that these proposed corridors contribute to increasing wildlife presence in human-dominated areas. Using stakeholder interviews, spatial analysis of corridor data, and GIS tools, we analyse the relationship between corridor proximity and HWI patterns. Despite their unofficial status, these corridors may provide a useful framework for future ecological planning. Our findings underscore the importance of assessing HWI risks prior to corridor formalization and highlight the influence of adjacent protected areas in shaping human–wildlife dynamics under ongoing urban expansion.