The upland Carpathian mountain plateau Oas Gutai in Maramures, a region in North Romania, is characterized by a mosaic landscape of grassland and forest habitats, and a network of high altitude wetlands.
The region has maintained healthy populations of brown bear, wolf, and lynx. The thirteen small communities and the city of Baia Mare with a population of 150,000) profit from the ecosystem services of the area (see table below), in particular its recreational values: elements of authentic archaic life integrated in nature and consisting of UNESCO heritage wooden churches, massive carved wooden gates, mills and brandy distilleries powered by water, handicrafts made of natural materials, and agro-pastoral traditions expressed by extensive agriculture practices, healthy and tasty local food, and local festivals.
