# Honey as a Bioindicator: Pollution's Effects on Its Quality in Mining vs. Protected Sites
## 2 Materials and Methods
### Honey Samples and the Description of the Area
Within its territory, 15 bird species are considered species of conservation interest: _Aquila chrysateos_ (Golden Eagle), _Buboubo_ (Eurasian Eagle-Owl), _Caprimulgus europaeus_ (European Nightijar), _Circatus gallicus_ (Short-toed Snake Eagle), _Dendrocops leucotos_ (White-backed Woodpecker), _Dendrocops medius_ (Middle Spotted Woodpecker), _Dryocyopus martius_ (Black Woodpecker), _Falco peregrinus_ (Peregrine Falcon), _Ficedula albicollis_ (Collared Flycacther), _Ficedula parva_ (Red-breasted Flycacther), _Lanius collurio_ (Red-backed Shrike), _Lullula arborea_ (Wood Lark), _Milvus migrans_ (Black Kite), _Pernis apivorus_ (European Honey Buzzard), and _Fictitious_ (2000). Figure 3: The geographical location of the honey sample collection points S4 and S54 in Romania. Picus canvas_ (Grey-headed Woodpecker). These species have benefitted from special protection under the Natura 2000 network [31]. * The Natura 2000 Site ROSCI0324 Bihor Mountains, is a Site of Community Importance (SCI) of 20,932.2 ha located across Arad, Alba, Bihor, and Hunedoa counties, being in the Alpine biogeographical region. The following protected habitat types and species of conservation interest have been identified within the site: 4070 *--bushes of _Pinus mugo_ and _Rhododend hrisutum_ (_Mugo-Rhododend hrisuthi_); 9110--_Luzulo-Fagetum_ beech forests; 9130--_Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests; 9170--_Galio-Carpinetum_ oak-hornbeam forests; 91V0--Dacian beech forests (_Symplyto-Fagion_); and 9410--acidophilous _Picea abies_ forests in a mountain zone (_Vaccini-Picetea_); _Rosalia alpina_ (Rosalia longhorn beetle), _Carabus variolosus_ (varied ground beetle); _Bombina variegata_ (yellow-bellied toad), _Triturus vulgaris ampensis_ (Danube crested newt), _Canis lupus_ (grey wolf), _Lynx lynx_ (Eurasian lynx), and _Ursus arctos_ (brown bear) [32]. * The Natura 2000 site ROSAC0027 Bicaz Gorge-Hasmas, is a 7642 ha Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Harghita and Neamt counties, entirely within an Alpine biogeographic region. The following habitat types have been identified within the special conservation area: 150--natural eutrophic lakes with _Magnopotanion_- or _Hydrochariation_-type vegetation; 4060--alpine and boreal heaths; 6170--alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands; 6190--Rupicolous Pannonic grasslands (_Stipo-Festuctalia pallentis_); 6210*--semi-natural dry grasslands on calcareous substrates (_Festuco-Brometalia_); 6430--hydrophilious, tall herb fringe communities of plains and montane to alpine levels; 6510--lowland hay meadows (_Aloprecurus pratensis_, _Sanguisorba officinalis_); 6520--mountain hay meadows; 8120--calcareous and calcshist screes of montane to alpine levels (_Thlaspieta rotundifolia_); 8210--calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation; 8310--caves not open to the public; 91E0 *--alluvial forests with _Alnus glutinosa_ and _Fraxinus excislo_ (_Alno-Padion_, _Alnion incanae_, and _Salicion albae_); 91Q0--calcicolous _Pinus sylvestris_ forests; 91V0--Dacian beech forests (_Symplyto-Fagion_); 9110--_Luzulo-Fagetum_ beech forests; and 9410--acidophilous _Picea abies_ forests of the mountain zone (_Vaccinio-Picetea_). The species of conservation interest identified within this site are as follows: _Cypripedium calcelous_ (Lady's Slipper Orchid), _Asphenium adulterinum_ (Ladder Spleenword), _Campanula serrata (Serrated Bellflower), _Iris aphyllla ssp.