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, ; [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

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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

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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 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 . 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 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

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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.

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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, , 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.

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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

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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. local interest. In this village are practiced It is situated in the northwestern grazed mountain or 'pendulation part of the village Băişoara on mountain', meaning spring local road 100. inhabitants of the village moved The first documentary attestation for a period of approximately dates from 1760 year Băișoara three months with all their Mountain Village. household in seasonal stables

Figure 5. The agriculture evolution in Muntele Baisorii village

In the village of Muntele Băișorii decrease to the population can notice a decrease the influenced agricultural activities population of 400 inhabitants in such the arable land decreased 1997 year to 279 in 2013, this from 112 ha to 15 ha. The

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Mirela Cirebea et al. pasture has increased from 317 people living in one room and in ha to 960 ha and hay fields the other animals.Sometimes increased from 455 ha to 680 ha humans are made separate and the forest surface has also construction and stalls for increased from 711 ha to 1395 animals (cows) and rarely are ha. The number of cattle has made shelters for pigs. These increased at 170 to 282 head, and buildings have carved walls, the number of horses is also solid spruce ax and modest increased from 20 to 41 heads. furniture in interior made by The number of sheep lowers at locals on the spot (Mirela 450 to 360 heads. Cirebea, 2011) In the season of spring The beginning of the mowing is inhabitants of the village moved dictated of the calendar not with all their household ȋn phenological. Firstly mow hay seasonal stables "in the fields the around of house that mountains" which is on have a higher production and communal grazing for a period of proceed to the farthest. Mowing about three months. In this period is done manually and they range from mountain to mechanically. The dry of hay is their homes in villages for always on the ground, and when gathering hay mowing and the grass is dry, it "builds" a pile maintenance crops. Each higher. household seasonal having Moara de Pădure is a demarcations their own, building village in Cluj County. It is fences and shelters for animals, situated in the northwestern to free choice, but without part of the Băişoara disturbing the neighbors. village on County Cottages (stables) are very Road 107 N. The first document simple, are sometimes separated of Moara de Pădure village dates by a single wall construction and from 1954 year.

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Figure 6. The agriculture evolution in Moara de Padure village

In Moara de Pădure village, Muntele Bocului is a village in arable land decreased from 30 ha the Cluj County. It is situated in to 2 ha and hay fields decreased the northwestern part of the from 121 ha to 48 ha, but Băişoara village. grassland had an increase of 6 ha from 84 ha to 90 ha ȋn 2013.

Figure 7. The agriculture evolution in Muntele Bocului village

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The natural grassland 90 heads and 800 sheep heads increased from 64 ha to 190 ha from164 heads. Muntele and hay increased from 91 ha to Cacovei is a village in the Cluj 128 ha, arable land decreased County. It is situated in the from 22 ha to 6 ha and south-west of the village significantly increased the Băişoara the border with Alba number of animals, cattle arrived county. The first documentary in 2013 year at 135 heads from attestation dates from 1954 year.

Figure 8. The agriculture evolution in Muntele Cacovei village

In Muntele Cacovei population forests. The number of animals decreased from 179 people to decreased. 115 people. It decreased arable Muntele Filii is a village land from 52 ha to 12 ha and hay in Cluj County. It is situated in fields from 213 ha to174 ha, but the northwestern part of the increased surface of pastures and Băişoara village.

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Figure 9. The agriculture evolution in Muntele Filii village

In 2013 in the Muntele Filii to 3 ha and hay fields decreased village there were 11 inhabitants from 61 ha to 42 ha, the pastures decline population influenced the and forests surface where evolution of the agricultural land increased. Decreased the number and the way to use such the of animals. arable land decreased from 15 ha

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding the evolution of 400 inhabitants in 1997 to 279 of the population and indicators inhabitants in 2013. for agriculture, bet on all nine This decrease of the villages (Muntele Băişorii , population influenced Muntele Bocului, Muntele agricultural activities thus the Cacovei, Muntele Filii, Muntele arable land in many villages has Săcel, Săcel, Moara de Pădure , halved, for example in the Frăsinet, Băişoara), there is a Băişoara village there is a downward trend is most decrease arable surface from 299 pronounced population in ha in 1997 to 34 ha in 2013, is Băişoara village where from the eloquent in this sense. Frăsinet 1220 inhabitants in 1997 was village the arable land decreased 1020 inhabitants in 2013. In from 38 ha in 1997 to 6 ha in Muntele Băișorii village can 2013. notice a decrease the population

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Figure 10. The agriculture evolution in Baisoara commune

The differences are large from Hayfields also decreased from one village to another in terms of 3035 ha to 2300 ha, but the the demographic situation, land surface of the agricultural land use categories and the number of has increased from 5841 ha to animals. 6284 ha, pastures increased from If until 1997 could talk about 2067 ha to 3200 ha and forests large areas of arable land and the from 4741 to 4988 ha ha. The crops and cereals in common number of cattle has decreased Baisoara the Apuseni Mountains, from 994 heads to 973 heads, the current situation is changed: number of horses has reached arable land has a very low a 155 heads to 221, but increased share because of unfavorable the number of sheep in 1732 ends climatic conditions, arable is in 3544 ends. While decreasing given low attention assortment of the number of animals (cattle and cultivated plants is very small, horses), has resulted in some the present species claims lower significant areas of grassland than temperature such as potato afforestation or abandonment. and some vegetables: cabbage, Population decreased from 2653 onion, garlic, carrot, parsley and, to 2073, this decline explains the rarely, swedes and the grain it dramatic decrease in arable can meet rye, oats and corn. surface, and the number of Arable land in the commune animals. decreased from 747 ha to 124 ha.

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REFERENCES

1. Mirela Cirebea , 2011, Natural and human landscape of the commune Baisoara, Bachelor paper, USAMV Cluj-Napoca. 2. A. Hopkins, 2011, Mountain farming in Europe, Grassland farming and land management systems in mountain regions,Grassland Science in Europe, vol.16 3. E.Potsch , B. Krautzer, A. Hopkins, 2011, Grassland farming and land management systems in mountain regions , Grassland Science in Europe, vol.16 4. V. Surd , Puiu V., Zoltic V. , Moldovan C., 2007, Riscul demografic în Munii Apuseni, Ed. Presa Universitară Clujeană, pag. 95. ***P.U.G. and R.L.U. of Bӑişoara commune, 1998. *** Central department of statistics from Cluj-Napoca.

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