Management of Natural Grasslands in Baisoara Village
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Mirela Cirebea et al. MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL GRASSLANDS IN BAISOARA VILLAGE Bibliographic study Mirela CIREBEA *, ROTAR I.*, Roxana VIDICAN *, PĂCURAR F.* *University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăştur Street, WA 400349, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; [email protected] Abstract Mountain areas are characterized by a permanent natural handicaps due of the relief and climate restrictions economy and agricultural activities. Our study aims to analyze farming systems specific to the nine villages which are included in the Baisoara village (with special focus on the pastures and agricultural evolution directions) in relation to population dynamics and activities. In the mountain villages of the population is engaged in agriculture and wood processing. A fundamental means of livelihood of the inhabitants is animal husbandry. Pedo-climatic and natural conditions are less favorable for agricultural cultivation, being a limiting factor on cultivated species and their habitat. Keywords: the mountains, farming system, population, livestock, pastures. INTRODUCTION The Apuseni Mountains were in continent; it is many ways vitally ancient times an environment important to the European inhabited by humans. In population. generally the Apuseni Mountains Mountain areas are characterized indubitable are part of the series by permanent natural handicaps territories affected by due of the relief and climatic demographic risk, which restrictions of the economy and translates into rapid depopulation agricultural activities. and irreversible structural Because of geographical disturbances in the short and constraints in mountain medium time (SURD et al., agriculture, productivity is on 2007). average less than 28% in After Pötsch E. et al. 2011 mountain areas compared to mountain region covers half the Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2014)9 25 Mirela Cirebea et al. deprived areas, and 40% services, marketing initiatives to compared with the lowlands. raise the profile and distinctive The agriculture in mountain areas market agricultural products therefore can not compete with from mountain farms. If the advantages of agriculture in necessary, develop marketing lowland few exceptions can not systems reliable and well- hope to become competitive in regulated infrastructure support intensive models adaptation in to overcome barriers to market response to increasing global access. Recognition of competition. competences of farmers and their The pastures have an important economic objectives, and training role in mountain agriculture and needs of future generations of structures are characterized farmers, must be in the center of mainly by small and low-input these measures. systems based on efficient use of In addition to these socio internal resources and - economic aspects there are a agricultural. Mountain farming in number of scientific challenges, Europe is facing many including the role of indigenous challenges. breeds of livestock for quality Feed produced in products and adapting the mountain areas are generally environment, the use of native weak in terms of quantity and plant species in the land nutritional value can not meet the improvement and restoration of needs of the animals, and the damaged sites and opportunities costs and workforce associated to improve productivity and cost with these forages are raised. The efficiency of livestock abandonment areas less production while minimizing accessible and less productive it environmental impact. is threat that affects many parts Technology of agriculture can of Europe. It is clear that farming not wait. There is a difficult was abandoned at random in the balance to protect traditional mountains of Eastern Europe farming evaluated aspects of the after the fall of communism. mountains, such as grazing, Continuation of sustainable transhumance and biodiversity of agriculture in mountain areas of grasslands, the need to ensure Europe should seek a long-term competitiveness and combination of measures, lifestyle farmers families including agri-environmental consistent with the XXI century. support to ensure the protection (HOPKINS, 2011). of biodiversity and ecosystem Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2014)9 26 Mirela Cirebea et al. MATERIALS AND METHODS A specific farming times, in the history of the system with encountered many locality. unique elements is in Apuseni The average altitude of Mountains. In our study we the Băişoara village is 1,101 m. examined specific aspects of the The average altitude of the peaks Baisoara village which is situated rise to side village where the in Cluj County and is values are over 1,600 m – Buscat representative of the area to Peak , Peak Pietrele Mărunte ( which we refer. 1735 m ) which is the maximum Băisoara is located in the south- rate of relief from the village. west of Cluj County, at 38 km Types of soils: soil consists away from the county seat, and eruptive origin of granite, granite 35 km from the nearest town - porfiruit and andezid, to which is Turda. added crystalline schists and The village is composed of nine falling within Spodisoluri Class , villages: Muntele Băişorii, Prepodzoluri type (friluvic, lithic, Muntele Bocului, Muntele histor, shaded cristagnic, skeletal, Cacovei, Muntele Filii, Muntele and low natural fertility and Săcel, Săcel, Moara de Pădure , strong acid), which led the Frăsinet, village of residence region's population to determine Băişoara and resort Muntele significant changes in vegetation Băișorii, which is a distinct in the cover through deforestation and commune. transformation in pastures, hays, In the north - west it is bordered and areas of crops, but after they by Valea Ierii in the north - east have done the necessary work: of the village Săvădisla, in east improving soil reaction, with Ciurila village and in application of organic and southeast with Iara village. mineral fertilizers. Local Relative to the natural frame is toponymy provide conclusive situated in the Apuseni evidence as possible in this Mountains of north-east of regard: Găbriana, Şesu Cald , Muntele Mare and south of the Muncei , Izvoare , Boinic , areas Munţii Gilăului in Iara River that today constitute areas of basin. pasture or hay in the Baisoara Dating village: Băişoara is an area. ancient settlement, mentioned in Climate: geographical documents in 1426 year (Banya) position of our country, and 1430 year (Olabanya) the especially Băişoara village name of village itself reflects the territory position in a mainly practice of mining in ancient mountainous area determines the Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2014)9 27 Mirela Cirebea et al. main characteristics of the of the administrative county of climate. Thus climate in Băişoara Cluj. As can be seen from this area frame in the mountain point of view, the Baisoara climate, characteristic of western village is part of large communes and north-western regions of our of our county. country - the Apuseni Mountains Băisoara is located in the - subject of a mainly western foothills east of Muntele Mare in circulation. the Apuseni Mountains, on the The climate is quite harsh, long middle of the river Iara. winters are short summers with It is bordered to the south by abundant rainfall; average Alba County, north of the village temperature in July is 16.6 ° C. Săvădisla, west Valea Ierii, east- The total area of Băişoara southeast Iara village and is 11,104 ha, representing 2.0% northeast Ciurila village. Figure 1. The agriculture evolution in the Băișoara village The Băişoara village manifest a This decrease of population downward trend in population in influenced the number of animals the interval of sixteen years such as cattle have gone from (1997 respectively 2013), the 200 to 95 heads and horses from number of inhabitants decreased 100 head to 18 heads. from 1220 in the year 1997 to Frăsinet is a village in 1020 in 2013year. Arable land Cluj County. It is situated in the decreased from 299 ha to 34 ha northwestern part of the Băişoara in 2013, also declined and village. The first documentary grasslands from 853 ha to 688 ha Frăsinet village dates from 1956 and hay fields decreased from year. 853 ha to 688 ha in the studied period. Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2014)9 28 Mirela Cirebea et al. Figure 2. The agriculture evolution in the Frăsinet village In the studied period Frăsinet Săcel is a village in the village there was a decrease of Cluj county, Transylvania, population, arable surface Romania. It belongs (grasslands decreased from 106 administratively the Baisoara ha to 89 ha and hayfields of 152 village. On the map of ha to 57 ha), but instead Transylvania in 1769-1773 increased the forest fund surface Josephine town appears as from 237 ha to 280 ha reached in "Aszszonfalva." Average 2013 and the number of cattle altitude: 617 m. increased from 18 heads to 50 heads in 2013. Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2014)9 29 Mirela Cirebea et al. Figure 3. The agriculture evolution in the Săcel village In Săcel village also presents a cattle has decreased at 168 heads diminishing of the population of to 84 heads, and 316 sheep 480 inhabitants was reached 407 increased from end to end 1880. inhabitants in 2013. The arable Muntele Săcelului is a surface decreased but increased village in Cluj County, natural grassland 729 ha to 378 Transylvania, Romania. It ha and hay fields decreased from belongs to administratively the 547 ha to 475 ha. The number of Baisoara village. Figure 4. The agriculture evolution in the Muntele Săcelului village Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2014)9 30 Mirela Cirebea et al. Reduction of the which is situated on communal population in the village of grazing. Muntele Săcelului influenced Muntele Băişorii is a the evolution of the agricultural village in the Cluj County, in land and how to use such the Baisoara village. On the basis arable land decreased from 44 ha government decree number 717 to 3 ha and hay fields decreased of 2 September 1999 a part of the from 182 ha to 97 ha, in favor of village Muntele Băişorii obtained forest area where increased of the status of a tourist resort of 284 ha to 440 hectares.