Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
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STIPA
Trnava Mare SCI: Saving Transylvanias
Important Pastoral Ecosystems
Author:
Date
15 December 2012
Plan for the conservation of two priority dry grassland habitats in the Trnava Mare
area:
6210* Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous
substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites)
6240* Sub-pannonic steppic grasslands.
This Conservation Action Plan is the result of dry grassland habitat inventories, field
studies and consultation with the farmers and local authorities of the communes of
the STIPA project area: Buneti, Saschiz, Vnatori, Albeti, Apold, Danes, Laslea,
Biertan, over the period January 2011-December 2012.
The Conservation Action Plan can only succeed with the active support of local
authorities and farmers. We are pleased that this plan has been well received by
stakeholders, since it will bring financial benefits to local people through increased
productive grassland areas, and increased access to Common Agricultural Policy
funding: both Direct Payments and agri-environment payments.
This work was carried out under EU LIFE+ project Trnava Mare SCI: Saving
Transylvanias Important Pastoral Ecosystems (LIFE09 NAT/RO/000618) STIPA.
Table of contents
General Description
8
8
9
10
10
Management/restoration models
11
Restoration measures .
12
21
30
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Romania retains extensive contiguous traditionally farmed landscapes dominated by seminatural grasslands. In particular, the dry grasslands are well-developed, large in area, and
with a rich and varied plant species composition.
The dry grasslands comprise a complex mosaic in space and time of plant communities and
species. The most important dry grassland habitats fall under 6210* Semi-natural dry
grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important
orchid sites), 6240* Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands, and 62C0* Pontic and Sarmatic
steppes, but a wide range of species-rich associations exists, that include many species
Red-listed in Romania.
Even by Romanian standards, the Saxon Villages area is extremely rich in dry grassland
communities. This reflects an 800-year history of careful farming, allowing the survival of
biodiversity, and will only be maintained by management along similar traditional lines.
Protection of these special habitats involves not only creative design and application of
traditional practices, but also conserving and buffering the habitats as part of the broader
farmed landscape. It is not enough to protect fragments, even if they are linked by ecological
corridors.
Some areas of particularly remarkable rarity and diversity, notably on movile and other steep
and dry slopes, are suitable candidates for the establishment of micro-reserves. These small,
designated areas, often no more than 1 ha in extent and with a 1-page management plan,
have been established in several parts of S Europe to protect pockets of biodiversity that
cannot readily be included in conventional protected areas. The management plant, agreed
with the landowner and local people, usually encourages management practices that already
exist.
The management of dry grassland for biodiversity need not conflict with farm grassland
management and, indeed, will enhance pasture and hay-meadows managed for extensive
agriculture and quality food production. Furthermore, the greatest concentration of rare
plants biodiversity hotspots is on marginal land such as the steepest slopes and eroding
surfaces.
Romanian endemic species such as Cephalaria radiata and Salvia transsylvanica those
species are good indicators of quality of dry grasslands in the area. Except those species,
significant from international point of view, there are many other threatened and important
species from national point of view as Salvia nutans, Oxytropis pilosa, Astragalus exscapus
and many others.
Some of the best xeric grassland sites in this area are on the small slumping hills, termed
movile in Romanian (Jones 2009). They are considered a unique botanical treasure of the
project area, on a par with some of the best botanical sites in Europe, for their exceptional
botanical diversity at both habitat and species level, which is packed into small areas, often
30 m or less across (Jones et al. 2010).
Dry grasslands in the Sighioara-Trnava Mare pSCI are impressive by its scale and
relatively good status, as the area is still well maintained by traditional management
measures, comparing to the rest of the Europe. Grasslands of Festuco-Brometalia were once
widespread in the hilly calcareous regions of Western Europe but due to changes in
agricultural practices (either intensification or abandonment of grazing by sheep and cattle,
and the consequent succession towards forest) their extent has decreased dramatically and
the remaining areas have become extremely fragmented (Butaye et al. 2005). The same
trend is in Central Europe. Taking into account the dependency of agricultural habitats on
certain management measures, it is generally recognized that agricultural habitats are
amongst the most threatened. The low-intensity management practices that formed the rich
biodiversity of European agricultural landscapes for centuries became unprofitable during
recent decades and they are continuously disappearingdue to both intensification of
agriculture and abandonment of unprofitable land (Halada et. al. 2010).
Dry grasslands in the Sighioara-Trnava Mare pSCI represent important example of high
species richness due to still preserved traditional and big scale management practices.
6210* Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates
(Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites)
Description and species composition
Festuco-Brometalia grasslands, present in almost the entire European continent, are among
the most species-rich plant communities in Europe and contain a large number of rare and
endangered species (Calaciura, Spinelli 2008). These communities are dominated by
mixtures of grasses and herbs and can develop on different types of substrata. The habitat is
considered a priority type (6210*) only if it is an important orchid site (EC 2007). Important
orchid sites are sites that are important on the basis of one or more of the following three
criteria:
(a) the site hosts a rich suite of orchid species;
(b) the site hosts an important population of at least one orchid species considered not
very common on the national territory;
(c) the site hosts one or several orchid species considered to be rare, very rare or
exceptional on the national territory.
In the Trnava Mare SCI site these species are usually Orchis tridentata, Orchis coriophora,
Orchis morio, Orchis ustulata, Orchis militaris, sometimes Orchis purpurea and Limodorum
abortivum.
This Annex I category includes various forms of grasslands referable in European terms to
the Mesobromion (syn. Cirsio-Brachypodion pinnati) and Xerobromion (syn. Bromion erecti)
alliances. The structural and floristic characteristics of the habitat are strongly influenced by
microrelief, climatic factors and management practices, in particular the intensity of grazing.
According to Manual for interpreting Natura 2000 habitats from Romania (Gafta, Mountford
2008), also species from wide phytosociological unit Festucetalia valesiacae are present in
this habitat type. It means that ecological gradient is very wide, from xeric to mesoxeric
types.
Mesobromion is characteristic by dominance of tall grass Brachypodium pinnatum. It
develops on deeper soils in the warm and dry areas. The grasslands of Xerobromion are
distributed in the cooler regions and are characteristic by dominance of tall grass Bromus
erectus. Nevertheless, the ranges and the species compositions of these two alliances
overlap considerably. Brachypodium pinnatum dominated semi-dry grasslands are dominant
in the region; swards with Bromus erectus are much rarer. From the grasses and sedges we
can mention Festuca rupiloca, F. valesiaca, Carex humilis and C. caryophylea. There is a
great variety of herbs occurring in this habitat type. As an example, we can mention Linum
flavum, Linum hirsutum, Onobrychis vicifolia, Dianthus carthusianorum, Centaurea scabiosa,
Polygala comosa, Jurinea mollis, Cirsium pannonicum, Inula ensifolia, Astragalus onobrychis
and many others.
soils maintains the very open nature of the vegetation. Traditional low-intensity grazing
enabled the steppe species to persist. Due to their high species richness and the occurrence
of rare and endangered species, grasslands are a focus of conservation.
62C0* Ponto-Sarmatic steppe
This habitat is not in the Standard data form for Sighioara-Trnava Mare pSCI. However,
according to opinion of some specialists and publications (Jones et al. 2010), it is occurring
in the area. By species composition and ecological requirements it is very close to habitat
6240* Sub-pannonic steppic grasslands, as associations with dominance of Stipa spp. are
sometimes classified within alliance Festucion valesiacae in Romania . Another sub-type is
alliance Stipion lessingianae (Gafta, Mountford 2008), which is known from Transylvanian
Lowland. It s are steppe-like grasslands dominated by feather grasses (Stipa spp.). Two
associations occur in Transylvania: the Stipetum lessingianae So 1947 and the Stipetum
pulcherrimae So 1942 (Ruprecht et al. 2009). Due to their high species richness and the
occurrence of rare and endangered species grasslands dominated by Stipa spp. are a focus
of conservation. They are very rare.
40A0* Subcontinental peri-Pannonic scrub
Low deciduous scrub communities of alliance Prunion fruticosae are located on steep slopes
in mosaic with dry grasslands. It includes the subshrubs Prunus tenella (syn. Amygdalus
nana) and P. fruticosus. They can be threatened by inappropriate management and lack of
grazing. Habitat is relatively rare in the area.
Subscrubs with dominance of Amygdalus nana within complex of dry grassland species.
Photo by: Viera efferov. Location: Viscri, 9. 7. 2011
Threats
Undergrazing
Low intensity grazing impact on 6210* habitat with occurrence of orchid species Orchis
ustulata. The site is overgrowing by shrubs and competitive grasses, in this case
Brachypodium pinnatum. It is suppressing less competitive species.
Photo by: Viera efferov. Location: Archita, 8.7.2011
One of the typical plant species spreading successfully in areas where former human
management has been abandoned is also Calamagrostis epigejos. Its spreading is not
intensive in the area and we found only several patches. It is only potential threat to the area.
In the advanced succession stages, woody species gradually enter grassland communities
and force profound and fast changes to the vegetation by shading and producing a large
amount of litter.
Invading scrub
Another phenomenon we couldnt foresee is the growing importance of woody species. This
can be seen as the continuation of spontaneous overgrowing with woody species after
traditional management was abandoned or intensity of grazing was decreased. Scrub
encroachment is the most frequently documented cause of change in 6210* sites. Scrub
invasion is considered to be an acute threat because it can result in an increase in soil
nutrients and a decline of richness in grassland species (Calaciura, Spinelli 2008).
The most serious threat to dry grassland habitats is the invasion of the allochtonous, strongly
aggressive tree Robinia pseudacacia (black locust). An intensive vegetative spread as well
as production of a large quantity of seeds makes this species a superior competitor in
secondary succession.
Bigger scale invasion of Robinia pseudoacacia. Species is directly changing soil conditions,
making them unfavourable for typical plants of dry grasslands.
Photo by: Viera efferov. Location: Copsa Mare, 11. 7. 2011
Native scrub species overgrowing dry grasslands are Ligustrum vulgare, Cornus mas,
Crataegus sp. div., Rosa sp. div. etc. In the advanced successional stages, woody species
gradually enter grassland communities and force profound and fast changes to the
vegetation by shading and producing a large amount of litter.
Overgrazing
Overgrazing by sheep is a significant threat in the area. This leads to the spread of ruderal
and invasive plant species that respond positively to high fertility, and loss of less competitive
species.
10
Management/restoration models
Traditional management of these steppe-like grasslands was grazing by sheep or cattle from
spring to autumn. Through the last 50 years, land-use has changed in this region greatly
influencing several dry grassland sites. Livestock number has decreased due to the low
profitability, and because these dry grasslands have the lowest productivity (600 g m-2 yr1dry matter) among the regions grasslands, they were the first to be abandoned (Ruprecht
et al. 2009). The open and unfenced grasslands are currently managed by sheep and cattle
grazing in extensive systems and by hay cutting and occasional burning to control scrub
(Jones 2010). Hence it is important to control scrub and provide appropriate levels of
grazing/cutting as grassland soil seed banks under long-term scrub cover may not be longlived.
EU
Code
Habitat
Distribution
6210*
Semi-natural dry
grasslands and
scrubland facies on
calcareous substrates
(Festuco Brometalia)
6240*
Sub-continental steppic
grasslands
62C0*
Ponto-Sarmatic steppe
40A0*
11
12
The rate of change (delta) of the surface in the horizontal (dz/dx) and vertical (dz/dy)
directions from the center cell determines the slope. The basic algorithm used to calculate
the slope is:
slope_radians = ATAN ( ( [dz/dx]2 + [dz/dy]2 ) )
First classification of slopes was tested in the field on occurrence of target habitats. Totally,
23 sites were tested in whole project area in July 2011. Twelve detail records with complete
list of species composition and detail description of site were elaborated in the same period.
After field test new classification of slopes have been elaborated:
1.
<15-0;
2.
15-20;
3.
20-25;
4.
25-30;
5.
30-35;
6.
>35.
13
Last phase was elimination of slopes in the forests, which was done based on aerial photos.
Result of identification of dry grasslands is shows their distribution in Figure 1. Total
estimated area is 5,895 ha. We can see that western part of project area has much higher
occurrence of dry grassland habitats.
This estimation can be biased by preciseness of DTM in case small slopes, which can be
neglected. On the other side, flat parts of hills with dry grasslands are omitted as well.
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Explanations
We are using 3 basic methods of habitat restoration
1. Clearing of scrub with Brielmeier and strimmers: a one-off action backed up by
continued management by the farmer.
Fig. 8: Site selected for clearing (Hoghilag, Point 23 on map): before clearing. May 2012.
Fig 9: Site selected for clearing (Hoghilag): during clearing with Brielmeier. May 2012
Fig 10: Site selected for clearing (Hoghilag): after clearing. May 2012.
21
22
23
24
25
Fig 15: Stelica sheep grazing area (193 ha (point 33 on map) showing target habitat
distribution
26
Calculations:
A
Physical block
(PB) code
Area of
BF
%age of
target
habitat
in PB
Area of
BF with
target
habitat
Area of BF
managed
by Stelica
Area of
habitat
managed
by Stelica
%age of
habitat
managed
by Stelica
Area used
for
calculation:
508689-507669
39.36
100
39.36
3.95
3.95
10.04
39.36
509160-507277
25.18
100
25.18
24.92
24.92
98.97
24.92
508580-507000
21.53
80
17.22
20.53
16.42
76.28
17.22
510297-507003
8.19
0.77
0.06
8.19
0.06
0.77
0.06
510110-506778
6.07
0.46
0.03
5.07
0.02
0.38
0.02
509156-508244
34
0.2
0.07
6.02
0.01
0.04
0.01
510228-507549
101.96
12.42
12.66
100.42
12.47
12.23
100.42
510679-506668
30.37
0.13
0.04
22.98
0.03
0.10
0.03
510881-507763
63.9
0.53
0.34
0.92
0.00
0.01
330.56
294.51
94.96
193
57.90
TOTAL
27
182.04
Fig 16: Saschiz micro-reserve (49.93 ha, point 32 on map) showing target habitat
distribution
In the case of micro-reserves restored by grazing management, we include the whole grazed
area of target habitat brought under agreement, regardless of PB, as having been brought
under improved conservation status.
28
Achieve/maintain favourable conservation status for 75% of 6210* and 6240* habitats
through sympathetic management by 2013 project and (Sept 2013).
In addition to the up to 1,000ha of concrete conservation actions under C2 of the project,
STIPA also has a target to achieve/maintain favourable conservation status for 75% of 6210*
and 6240* habitats through sympathetic management by 2013 project and (Sept 2013).
The target area is (75% x 5,895 ha identified target habitats =) 4,421.25ha.
We will achieve this by direct actions under C2 (approx 1,000 ha), plus actions to increase
awareness of the opportunities represented by good habitat management, improved
management through meetings, workshops, with the incentive to farmers of:
1. Increased income from more productive grasslands
2. Increased income from improved access to agri-environment payments.
We are using village meetings, printed materials and farm visits for awareness-raising. As a
result of these awareness-raising actions, participation of Trnava Mare area farmers in the
High Nature Value grassland agri-environment non-mechanised grassland measure, typical
for target dry grassland habitats, has increased from 20,695.23 in 2008, to 24,505.75 in
2012. See Table below.
Table 1: take-up of grassland agri-environment measures in STIPA communes before and
after awareness-raising by Fundatia ADEPT staff (data from APIA, Romanian payments
agency, 2012)
SCI
Measure
Agri-environment
measure
214/2
(non-
mechanised)
2008
2012
20,695.23
24,505.75
This shows an increase of 3,810.52 ha in the non-machanised grassland agrienvironment scheme between 2008 and 2012.
The majority of this grassland is target habitat. This shows quantitive measurement of
results of awareness-raising. This measurement, although approximate, shows over
3,000 ha of target habitat entering the non-machanised grassland agri-environment
schemes since 2008, largely the result of ADEPT awareness-raising activities.
In addition, target habitats already within agri-environment schemes are being brought
under better management through Fundaia ADEPT guidance.
29
Code
Action
Location
Name
Area (PB) in
hectares
Target habitat
restored
Percentage of
PB (target
habitat)
restored
Code
Action
Location
Name
Area (PB) in
hectares
Cleared areas
(ha)
Percentage of
PB cleared
C1
Boiu
0.00
0.00
C1
Archita
C1
Malancrav
C1
Noul Sasesc
C1
Floresti
n/a
7.00
Land area
restored
Details/
observations
Details/observati
ons
outside the SCI
but still
demonstration
point
C2
Malancrav
Asociatia crescatorilor de
bovine
C2
Malancrav
Rolf Roth
C2
Bunesti
Stanciu Viorica
C2
Bunesti
Adi Palasan
101.96
6.00
5.88
6.00
clearing
10
C2
Bunesti
Palasan Ioan
42.80
0.50
1.17
1.17
clearing
11
C2
Mesendorf
Adrian Stoian
4.92
2.00
40.65
4.92
clearing
12
C2
Viscri
Gheghiceanu Neculai
5.01
2.00
39.92
5.01
clearing
13
C2
Viscri
Walter Fernolend
42.50
2.00
4.71
2.00
clearing
14
C2
Viscri
Marcu Stelian
46.20
5.00
10.82
46.20
clearing
15
C2
Viscri
Casaru Gheorghe
38.25
2.50
6.54
2.50
clearing
16
C2
Viscri
Molnar Adrian
20.17
1.50
7.44
1.50
clearing
17
C2
Daia
Tomuta Ioan
67.20
2.00
2.98
2.00
clearing
40.83
48.00
117.56
40.83
clearing
72.44
6.00
8.28
72.44
clearing
4.40
7.00
159.09
4.40
clearing
Total 195.97 ha
n/a
Restored
area
recorded
(ha)
31
32
Code
Area (PB)
in hectares
Action
Location
Name
18
C2
Archita
19
C2
Archita
20
C2
Archita
Mihai
Vitezul
131.15
21
Percentage
of PB (target
habitat)
restored
Restored
area
recorded
(ha)
Details/
observations
48.30
6.30
13.04
48.30
clearing
94.28
7.00
7.42
7.00
clearing
208.60
23.00
11.03
23.00
0.00
clearing
plantation
(excluded)
22
C2
Valchid
21.35
3.00
14.05
21.35
clearing
23
C1
Valchid
3.34
4.00
119.76
4.00
clearing
24
C2
Viscri
Viscri Pm parcela 2
34.00
22.80
67.06
34.00
clearing
25
C2
Viscri
Stipa+Viscri parcela1
67.20
21.01
31.26
67.20
clearing
Total 204.85 ha
Target
habitat
restored
33
34
Code
Action
Location
Name
26
C2
Laslea
Sheepfold1
27
C2
Valchid
28
C2
Hoghilag
29
C2
32
33
Target
habitat
restored
Area (PB) in
hectares
Restored
area
recorded
(ha)
Details/observations
10.79
2.40
22.24
10.79
clearing
Sheepfold2
9.95
0.52
5.23
0.52
clearing
Sheepfold3
39.68
0.41
1.03
0.41
clearing
Danes
Sheepfold4
47.63
0.10
0.21
0.10
C2
Saschiz
Microreserve Saschiz
49.93
7.36
14.74
49.93
C2
Bunesti
Stelica sheepfold
193
57.9
30
193
clearing
Grazing management
2012
Grazing management
2012
Total 254.75 ha
Percentage of
PB (target
habitat)
restored
35
36
Code
Action
Location
C1
Boiu
2011
C1
Archita
2011
C1
Malancrav
2011
C1
Noul Sasesc
2011
C1
Floresti
year
2011
Area (PB) in
hectares
0.00
n/a
Percentage of
PB (target
habitat)
restored
Restored
area
recorded
(ha)
Details /
observations
outside the SCI
but still
demonstrative
point
0.00
7.00 n/a
C2
Malancrav
Asociatia crescatorilor de
bovine
C2
Malancrav
Rolf Roth
2011
C2
Bunesti
Stanciu Viorica
2011
4.40
7.00
159.09
4.40
clearing
C2
Bunesti
Adi Palasan
2011
101.96
6.00
5.88
6.00
clearing
10
C2
Bunesti
Palasan Ioan
2011
42.80
0.50
1.17
1.17
clearing
11
C2
Mesendorf
Adrian Stoian
2011
4.92
2.00
40.65
4.92
clearing
12
C2
Viscri
Gheghiceanu Neculai
2011
5.01
2.00
39.92
5.01
clearing
13
C2
Viscri
Walter Fernolend
2011
42.50
2.00
4.71
2.00
clearing
14
C2
Viscri
Marcu Stelian
2011
46.20
5.00
10.82
46.20
clearing
15
C2
Viscri
Casaru Gheorghe
2011
38.25
2.50
6.54
2.50
clearing
16
C2
Viscri
Molnar Adrian
2011
20.17
1.50
7.44
1.50
clearing
17
C2
Daia
Tomuta Ioan
2011
67.20
2.00
2.98
2.00
clearing
18
C2
Archita
2012
48.30
6.30
13.04
48.30
clearing
19
C2
Archita
2012
94.28
7.00
7.42
7.00
clearing
20
C2
Archita
2012
208.60
23.00
11.03
23.00
Mihai Vitezul
2011
131.15
Valchid
2012
21.35
21
22
Name
Target
habitat
restored
C2
2011
40.83
48.00
117.56
40.83
clearing
72.44
6.00
8.28
72.44
clearing
37
0.00
3.00
14.05
21.35
clearing
plantation
(excluded)
clearing
23
C1
Valchid
2012
3.34
4.00
119.76
4.00
clearing
24
C2
Viscri
Viscri Pm parcela 2
2012
34.00
22.80
67.06
34.00
clearing
25
C2
Viscri
Stipa+Viscri parcela1
2012
67.20
21.01
31.26
67.20
clearing
26
C2
Laslea
Sheepfold1
2012
10.79
2.40
22.24
10.79
clearing
27
C2
Valchid
Sheepfold2
2012
9.95
0.52
5.23
0.52
clearing
28
C2
Hoghilag
Sheepfold3
2012
39.68
0.41
1.03
0.41
clearing
29
C2
Danes
Sheepfold4
2012
47.63
0.10
0.21
0.10
32
C2
Saschiz
Microreserve Saschiz
2012
49.93
7.36
14.74
49.93
33
C2
Bunesti
Stelica sheepfold
2012
193
57.9
30
193
clearing
Grazing
management
2012
Grazing
management
2012
Total 655.57 ha
Of which:
2011: 195.97
2012: 459.60
38
Literature
Calaciura B., Spinelli O. 2008. Management of Natura 2000 habitats. 6210 Seminatural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (FestucoBrometalia) (*important orchid sites). European Commission.
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ed. Ulmer, Stuttgart, Germany.
Halada L., Evans D., Roma C., Petersen J.E. 2010: Which habitats of European
importance depend on agricultural practices? Biodivers Conserv
Ruprecht, E., Szab, A., Enyedi, M. Z., Dengler, J. 2009. Steppe-like grasslands in
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