Determinants of Domestic Animal Biodiversity Dynamics in Romania: An Econometric Analysis of Economic Transition and Agricultural Policy Effects

Abstract

Domestic animal biodiversity represents a strategic component of food security and agricultural sustainability, yet its dynamics are strongly influenced by economic and institutional transformations. In Romania, the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market economy, the restructuring of agriculture, and the integration into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have generated major structural changes, whose effects on livestock biodiversity have been insufficiently investigated from a quantitative perspective. This paper aims to econometrically analyze the determinants of domestic animal population dynamics in Romania, using time-series and panel data structured by species, in order to assess the impact of economic transitions, agricultural policies, and rural socio-economic changes. By introducing dummy variables associated with major structural breaks and estimating regression models, the study captures the differentiated effects of regime changes on livestock biodiversity. The results suggest that structural and species-specific factors play a more significant role than aggregate policy variables in explaining livestock population dynamics, while policy effects appear to be indirect and heterogeneous. These findings contribute to the existing literature by providing an empirical assessment of the relationship between economic processes and domestic animal biodiversity, offering analytical support for the design of public policies aimed at the conservation of animal genetic resources and the sustainable development of agriculture.