Conservation status of Natura 2000 grassland habitats of the Romanian sector of Pannonian bioregion

Mihai Sorin PASCU – Asociația Excelsior

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Pannonian bioregion in Romania

Pannonian bioregion limits N2k sites limits – SCI`s

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Natura 2000 sites in the Pannonian bioregion in Romania

31 SCI N2k sites 17 SPA N2k sites

N2k surface in the Pannonian region:

Total Pannonian region – 6% of national = 1434585 ha,

SCI total = 154342 ha

SCI in reg. = 113750 ha = 7,93%

SPA total = 188672 ha

SPA in reg. = 181541 ha = 12,65%

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Types of grassland habitats in the Pannonian bioregion of Romania 1530* – Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes

2340* – Pannonic inland dunes

40A0* – Subcontinental peri-Pannonic scrub

6120* – Xeric sand calcareous grasslands

6240* – Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands

6410 – Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae)

6430 – Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels

6440 – Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii

6510 – Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 1530* – Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes Salt steppes, salt pans, saltmarshes and shallow salt lakes, which are highly influenced by pannonic climate with extreme temperatures and aridity in summer. The enrichment of salt in the soil is due to high evaporation of ground water during Summer. These habitat types are partly of natural origin and partly under distinct influence of cattle grazing. The halophytic vegetation consists of plant communities on dry saltpans and steppes, humid salt meadows and annual plant communities of periodically flooded salt lakes with typical zonation. Plant text: Artemisia santonicum, Suaeda corniculata, Suaeda pannonica, Lepidium crassifolium, Puccinellia peisonis, Aster tripolium, Salicornia prostrata, Camphorosma annua, Plantago tenuiflora, Juncus gerardi, Plantago maritima, Cyperus pannonicus, Pholiurus pannonicus, Festuca pseudovina. Vertebrate: Microtus oeconomus mehelyi, Spermophilus citellus; Botaurus stellaris, Platalea leucorodia, Porzana parva, Ixobrychus minutus, Acrocephalus melanopogon, Aythya nyroca, Ardea purpurea, Panurus biarmicus. Invertebrate text: Molluscs - *Helicopsis striata austriaca; insects: *Callimorpha quadripunctaria, Lycaena dispar.

Image from ROSCI0231 (right) Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 2340* – Pannonic inland dunes Inland dunes of the Pannonic plain and of neighbouring basis. In former days widely distributed as a result of hay harvesting and grazing. Good examples exist in mosaics of different habitats with open sand, dune lichen communities, pioneer swards with many therophytes, open and closed swards. Only these habitat complexes should be considered under this title. For steppes and meadow-steppes on stabilised sand or sandy soils, not associated with dune complexes, see habitat 6260. Plant text: Cladonia convoluta, Cladonia furcata, Corynephorus canescens, Thymus serpyllum, Viola tricolor ssp. tricolor, Cerastium semidecandrum, Spergula morisonii, Alyssum montanum ssp. gmelinii, Bassia laniflora, Cynodon dactylon.

Cladonia convoluta Thymus serpyllum

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 40A0* – Subcontinental peri-Pannonic scrub Low deciduous scrub with continental and sub mediterranean affinities of the Pannonic basin and neighbouring regions including the eastern Alpine periphery, the southern periphery of the Northwestern Carpathians, the Transylvanian plateau and the adjacent foothills and valleys of the Eastern and Southern Carpathians and the Apuseni mountains, the southern periphery of the Pannonic basin, with irradiations to the lower Danubian plain, to the Moravian plateau, to the Dobrogea and to the hills and valleys of the northern Balkan peninsula. Occurs on both calcareous and siliceous substrates. Includes the following syntaxa: Plant text: Amygdalus nana (syn Prunus tenella), Cerasus fruticosa, Cerasus mahaleb, Spiraea media, Rosa spinosissima, Rosa gallica, Rosa pimpinellifolia, Amelanchier ovalis, Cornus mas, Crataegus monogyna, Acer tataricum, Cotoneaster integerrimus, Cotoneaster tomentosus, Cotoneaster matrensis, Cotoneaster niger, Allium sphaerocephalon, Anemone sylvestris, Asparagus officinalis, Buglossoides purpurcaerulea, Geranium sanguineum, Peucedanum carvifolia, Teucrium chamaedrys, Aster linosyris, Inula ensifolia, Inula hirta, Melica picta, Nepeta pannonica, Peucedanum cervaria, Phlomis tuberosa, Jurinea mollis, Vinca herbacea, Agropyron pectinatum, Verbascum austriacum, Salvia austriaca, Stipa dasyphylla, Aconitum anthora, Chrysanthemum corymbosum, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, Waldsteinia geoides, Syringa vulgaris

Images from ROSCI0048

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 6120* – Xeric sand calcareous grasslands Dry, frequently open grasslands on more or less calciferous sand with a subcontinental centre of distribution (Koelerion glaucae, Sileno conicae-Cerastion semidecandri, Sedo-Cerastion p.). Plant text: Allium schoenoprasum, Alyssum montanum ssp. gemelinii, Astragalus arenarius, Cardaminopsis arenosa, Carex ligerica, Carex praecox, Dianthus deltoides, Euphorbia seguierana, Festuca psammophila, Gypsophila fastigiata, Helichrysum arenarium, Herniaria glabra, Koelerion glauca, Petrorhagia prolifera, Sedum reflexum, Silene chlorantha.

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 6240* – Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands Steppic grasslands, dominated by tussock-grasses, chamaephytes and perennials of the alliance Festucion vallesiacae and related syntaxa. These xerothermal communities are developed on southern exposed slopes with AC-soils on rocky substrate and on clay-sandy sedimentation layers enriched with gravels. They are partially of natural, partially of anthropogenic origin. Plant text: Festuca valesiaca, Allium flavum, Gagea pusilla, Hesperis tristis, Iris pumila, Ranunculus illyricus, Teucrium chamaedrys, Medicago minima, Globularia cordifolia, Helianthemum canum, Poa badensis, Scorzonera austriaca, Potentilla arenaria, Seseli hippomarathrum, Alyssum alyssoides, Artemisia austriaca, Chrysopogon gryllus, Astragalus austriacus, Astragalus excapus, Astragalus onobrychis, Oxytropis pilosa, Daphne cneorum, Iris humilis ssp. arenaria, Carex humilis, Festuca rupicola, Stipa capillata, Stipa joannis, Botriochloa ischaemum.

Image: from Târnava Mare, Adept Foundation

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 6410 – Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) Molinia meadows of plain to montane levels, on more or less wet nutrient poor soils (nitrogen, phosphorus). They stem from extensive management, sometimes with a mowing late in the year or, they correspond to a deteriorated stage of draining peat bogs. Subtypes: - on neutro-alkaline to calcareous soils with a fluctuating water table, relatively rich in species (Eu-molinion). The soil is sometimes peaty with a summer drying. - on more acid soils of the Junco-Molinion (Juncion acutiflori) except species-poor meadows or on degraded peaty soils. Plant text: Molinia coerulea, Dianthus superbus, Selinum carvifolia, Cirsium tuberosum, Colchicum autumnale, Inula salicina, Silaum silaus, Sanguisorba officinalis, Serratula tinctoria, Tetragonolobus maritimus; Viola persiciflora, Viola palustris, Galium uliginosum, Cirsium dissectum, Crepis paludosa, Luzula multiflora, Juncus conglomeratus, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Inula britannica, Lotus uliginosus, Dianthus deltoides, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla anglica, Carex pallescens. Image: from Bazinul Ciucului de Jos, Organizaţia GeoEcologică ACCENT

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 6430 – Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels Subtypes: - Wet and nitrophilous tall herb edge communities, along water courses and woodland borders belonging to the Glechometalia hederaceae and the Convolvuletalia sepium orders (Senecion fluviatilis, Aegopodion podagrariae, Convolvulion sepium, Filipendulion). - Hygrophilous perennial tall herb communities of montane to alpine levels of the Betulo- Adenostyletea class. Plant text: Glechoma hederacea, Epilobium hirsutum, Senecio fluviatilis, Filipendula ulmaria, Angelica archangelica, Petasites hybridus, Cirsium oleraceum, Chaerophyllum hirsutum, Aegopodium podagraria, Alliaria petiolata, Geranium robertianum, Silene dioica, Lamium album, Lysimachia punctata, Lythrum salicaria, Crepis paludosa Aconitum lycoctonum (Aconitum vulparia), Aconitum napellus, Geranium sylvaticum, Trollius europaeus, Adenostyles alliariae, Peucedanum ostruthium, Cicerbita alpina, Digitalis grandiflora, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Cirsium helenioides.

Images from ROSCI0048

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 6440 – Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii Alluvial meadows with natural dynamic of flooding belonging to the Cnidion dubii alliance, under continental to subcontinental climatic conditions. Plant text: Cnidium dubium (C. venosum), Viola persicifolia, Scutellaria hastifolia, Allium angulosum Oenanthe lachenalii, Gratiola officinalis, Carex praecox var. suzae, Juncus atratus, Lythrum virgatum.

Images from ROSCI0231

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 6510 – Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) Species-rich hay meadows on little to moderately fertilised soils of the plain to submontane levels, belonging to the Arrhenatherion and the Brachypodio-Centaureion nemoralis alliances. These extensive grasslands are rich in flowers and are not reaped before flowering of the grasses and than only one or two times per year. Plant text: Arrhenatherum elatius, Trisetum flavescens ssp. flavescens, Pimpinella major, Centaurea jacea, Crepis biennis, Knautia arvensis, Tragopogon pratensis, Daucus carota, Leucanthemum vulgare, Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis, Campanula patula, Leontodon hispidus, Leontodon nudicaulis, Linum bienne, Oenanthe pimpinelloides, Rhinanthus lanceolatus, Malva moschata, Serapias cordigera. Images from ROSCI0048

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Types of grassland habitats in the Pannonian bioregion of Romania

18 SCI`s contain grassland habitats.

N2k site code ROSCI0020 ROSCI0021 ROSCI0387 ROSCI0025 ROSCI0048 ROSCI0294 ROSCI0231 ROSCI0218 ROSCI0401

Crișul Alb Dealul între Nădab- Mocrei- Name ofCâmpia Câmpia Gurahonț Socodor- Rovina- Turnu- N2k site Careiului Ierului Salonta Cefa Crișul Alb și Ineu Vărșand Ineu Variașu

1530* 1530* 1530* 1530* 1530* 2340* Types of 40A0* 40A0* 40A0* habitats 6120* present in each N2k 6240 site 6410 6430 6430 6430 6430 6430 6440 6440 6510 6510 6510 Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Types of grassland habitats in the Pannonian bioregion of Romania

N2k site code ROSCI0108 ROSCI0402 ROSCI0115 ROSCI0277 ROSCI0390 ROSCI0109 ROSCI0388 ROSCI0346 ROSCI0348

Sărăturile Lunca de la Name ofMureșului Valea dinMlaștina Bechicher Sărăturile Lunca Foeni -Pajiștea Pajiștea N2k site Inferior Sânandrei Satchinez ecu Mic Diniaș Timișului Grăniceri Ciacova Jebel

1530* 1530* 1530* 1530*

Types of40A0* habitats present in each N2k 6240 6240 6240 site 6430 6440 6510 6510

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Distribution of grassland habitats in the N2k sites

Habitat Habitat name code N2k sites present ROSCI0021, ROSCI0387, ROSCI0025, ROSCI0231, ROSCI0401, ROSCI0115, ROSCI0277, ROSCI0390, Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes 1530 ROSCI0388 Pannonic inland dunes 2340 ROSCI0020 Subcontinental peri-Pannonic scrub 40A0 ROSCI0021, ROSCI0048, ROSCI0218, ROSCI0108 Xeric sand calcareous grasslands 6120 ROSCI0020 Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands 6240 ROSCI0218, ROSCI0402, ROSCI0346, ROSCI0348 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) 6410 ROSCI0020, Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of ROSCI0020, ROSCI0021, ROSCI0025, ROSCI0048, plains and of the montane to alpine levels 6430 ROSCI0294, ROSCI0108 Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii 6440 ROSCI0020, ROSCI0048, ROSCI0108 Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus ROSCI0020, ROSCI0025, ROSCI0048, ROSCI0108, pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) 6510 ROSCI0109

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Surface occupied by the different grassland habitats in the N2k sites

99871 – total surface of the N2k Surface (ha)

Habitat name Habitat code 29732,62

Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes 1530 15972.72 Pannonic inland dunes 2340 2359.7 Subcontinental peri-Pannonic scrub 40A0 1821.53 Xeric sand calcareous grasslands 6120 2595.67 Sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands 6240 102.05 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) 6410 235.97 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels 6430 3916.41 Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii 6440 594.02 Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) 6510 2134.55

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Experience of Excelsior NGO regarding the status and management of Pannonian region grassland habitats

ROSCI0048 or ROSCI0048 or ROSCI0350 ROSCI0231 ROSCI0231 Habitat Newly Newly assessed Habitat name code Official assessed / new site Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes 1530 2331,35 3662 Subcontinental peri-Pannonic scrub 40A0 8,9 0,76 2,4 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels 6430 8,9 2,5 2,5 Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii 6440 8,9 121,95 Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) 6510 8,9 6

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Management problems of N2k sites

10 SCI have designated custodians - 5 NGO`s, 1 university.

Only 9 sites with management plan preparation in progress.

No management plan approved.

Poor data regarding the actual structure and functions of the habitats.

Poor data regarding the actual distribution of habitats.

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Management problems of N2k sites related to grassland habitats conservation status Most habitats have an inadequate to bad conservation status.

Most habitats perspectives present a regression tendency.

Main pressures identified are: 1. Overgrazing

Sheep flock grazing on 1530* habitat near Socodor, Arad county.

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Management problems of N2k sites related to grassland habitats conservation status Main pressures identified are: 2. Expansion of arrable land

1530* habitat Pannonian salt pasture plought at Sanmartin, Arad county

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Management problems of N2k sites related to grassland habitats conservation status Main pressures identified are: 3. Expansion of infrastructure flood protection measures and other maintenance works at dams.

New bridge over Crișul Alb river, ROSCI0048

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Management problems of N2k sites related to grassland habitats conservation status Main pressures identified are: 4. Open vegetation fires

Vegetation fire near Chișineu-Criș ROSCI0231

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Management problems of N2k sites related to grassland habitats conservation status Main pressures identified are: 5. Expansion of invasive species

Amorpha fruticosa in 6510 habitat ROSCI0048 Arad county

Follow up event of the Natura 2000 seminar for the Pannonian, Black Sea and Steppic Regions Arad, 04-06.11.2015 Thank You!

Asociația pentru Promovarea Valorilor Naturale și Culturale ale Banatului și Crișanei ”Excelsior”

Excelsior NGO, the Association for the Promotion of Natural and Cultural Heritage of Banat and Crișana

Arad, str. Suceava, nr. 18A, 310465 Arad

Tel./Fax: 0040-257-210.192, Fax: 0040-357-780.086 www.ongexcelsior.ro, [email protected]