CONSERVATION OF HIGH NATURE VALUE (HNV) GRASSLAND IN A FARMED LANDSCAPE IN TRANSYLVANIA, ROMANIA

Abstract

Romania retains significant resources of wildflower-rich lowland grassland. These farm grasslands, especially the hay-meadows, are of major international conservation importance, supporting an abundance of plants, animals and vegetation communities that have disappeared from most of Europe. The Saxon villages area of southern Transylvania in particular comprises a High Nature Value farmed landscape, where rich biodiversity co-exists alongside traditional agriculture. Continued traditional management is required to maintain the rich mosaic of habitats. Landscape protection and sustainable development must reconcile conservation of grassland and other biodiversity-rich habitats with the provision of adequate incomes and community infrastructure. Fundaţia ADEPT (Agricultural Development and Environmental Protection in Transylvania), has been established to address these issues, and has placed special emphasis on permanent grasslands, which occupy a central position in plant conservation, high-quality local food products and eco-tourism in the Saxon Villages. In December 2008 habitats and species in the heart of the area, Tarnava Mare (85,000 ha), acquired protection within the EU's Natura 2000 network. This designation will facilitate the provision of financial incentives for farmers to conserve the geographical, cultural and biological elements of the landscape.