Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Bra şov Series II: Forestry • Wood Industry • Agricultural Food Engineering • Vol. 5 (54) No. 1 - 2012

STUDY OF PHYTOGEOGRAPHIC AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS FROM THE BARAOLT AND BODOC MOUNTAINS

O. APARASCHIVEI 1 Gh. SPÂRCHEZ 1

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to contribute to the detailed knowledge of the phytogeografic environment of the Baraolt a Bodoc Mountains in order to study the forest sites from this area, as well as for their evaluation. Thus, this paper tries to support the site evaluation for the beech stand by means of the ecological indicators.

Key words: beech, site evaluation, soil, site quality.

1. Introduction very important for the biomass production to know the structure and the formation of The determination of the forest resort the soil, its chemical, physical, hydro- components requires general knowledge of physical, thermic and aeration properties. the specific physical-geographical framework to be taken into study. Based on 2. The Purpose, Objectives and Place of bibliographic research and personal Research observations upon the studied framework, this paperwork accomplishes the detailed The main purpose of this research is study regarding the proper physical and represented by the detailed knowledge of physical-geographical environment for the the phytogeographic specific environment Baraolt and Bodoc mountains. This study of the Baraolt and Bodoc mountains in is very important in carrying out researches order to study forestry sites in the area and regarding the types of forest sites and finally, so to determine the quantitative variation in establishing the variation of the ecological of ecological indices used in forest site indices used in the evaluation of forest sites. quality assessment (Figure 1). As a polydisperse, structured, leachy and In order to accomplish the intended hydrophilic system, made of mineral and purpose, we have established the following organic components, the soil represents the objectives: rooting and nutrition support for trees and - Knowledge of geological and geo- other forest plant formations. morphological, climatic and vegetation Trees are perennial and big sized wooden conditions which represents important plants that use water and nutritional soil solification factors in soil evolution; substances for the development of physiologic - Establishment of detailed morphological processes in the wooden production. It is and physical-chemical soil proprieties;

1 Dept. of Silviculture, Transilvania University of Bra şov. 14 Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Bra şov • Series II • Vol. 5 (54) No. 1 - 2012

made in The Laboratory of Pedology from the Faculty of Sylviculture and Forest Engineering of Bra şov.

4. Research Results

4.1. Geological conditions

The Baraolt and the Bodoc Mountains are framed within the Carpathian Mountain Range, the flysch subunit, and they lay on perishable (on the half south side) and intrusive (not so perishable - on the half north side) rocks. The Baraolt massif is made Fig. 1. Research location [17] of formation by marl - chalky flysch of neocomian age, by horizon marl - sandstone - Establishment of forest sites and forest - a formation equivalent with breccias schist types distribution from the researched and horizon, components layer of Sinaia, territory. with valangian - hauteriviene age, with Our research was conducted in the area sandstone - chalky (which both form the of the Baraolt and Bodoc mountains and in Sinaia layer) flysch schist and flysch and the Baraolt, Şugas and Tali şoara forest with the Sinaia formation, a berriasian - districts, on beech mature stands older than hauterivian superior (sandstone - chalky and 80 years [17]. breccias formation) [1]. The Bodoc massif is preeminently made 3. Material and Research Methods of the barremian - aptiene formations of the “Bodoc flysch”, some lithologyc flysch , The used methods used were the schist - sandstone and sandstones . On the bibliographic research and direct observations east side we can find conglomerate bands, completed with tree - measurements and albian - vraconiene sandstone calciphyte, also soil samples laboratory analyses, and in the north-west corner between cropped out of the open soil profile. Malna ş and Bodoc, a band of Sinaia layers By bibliographical research means,a (marls, sandstones, marl chalky, breccia) precise characterization of the physical and intercalated among sandstone chalky phytogeographical environment for the formation, scale and marl - chalky [5] . researched area was achieved. Direct observation was used for morphological 4.2. Geomorphologic conditions description of the open soil profiles and for rock and parental material determination. Geomorphologically, the researched area The biometric measurements of tree is framed within: The Oriental Carpathian; growth allowed the determination of the The Moldo - Transylvanian Carpathians; medium diameter, of the medium height, the Baraolt - Tali şoara - - the Bra şov of age and quality class, elements used in Depression area [13]. the production class establishment of the The Bodoc masiff surface can be divided stands. To determine physical and into three orographic levels: the upper chemical soil proprieties, acknowledged level is represented by the main chine with methods were used. The analyses were an altitude that exceeds 1000 m, the Aparaschivei, O., et al.: Study of Phytogeographic and Physical Conditions … 15 intermediate level that preempts almost all The maximal monthly averages are in July- the secondary lateral inter - rivers and a August (aprox. 18 oC), and the minimals few isolated crests, which has 800-1000 m are in December-January (–5 oC) [6]. altitude and the 600-800 m altitude level that includes the periferic surfaces. This 4.3.2. Wind condition level range has an obvious influence on thermal characteristics and space - allotment Wind condition of the Baraolt and Bodoc of the atmospheric precipitations, which are mountains is divided into two major air important elements in the forestry vegetation masses: dry, warm in summer and cold in distribution [8]. winter and a continental flow, watery and The Baraolt mountains are divided into breezy in summer and gentle one in winter, two levels: a higher northern level with an that moderates the continental climate of altitude of 900 metres and a southern level the researched area. which is 600-700 metres lower. The predominant wind directions are The northern level is connected to a coming from the north-west district (the flattening surface which is well majority) and from the west district and represented in the Curvature Carpathians they react to the aerian mass invasion in between 800 and 1200 metres. Due to the the Northen North-West Atlantic that rock resistance difference and to a better represents a local influence of the cold and configuration, the northern higher surface dry Crivetz, also known as Nemira. side of the masiff slightly inclines to the The medium speed of the wind is 2-3 m/s north. The lower level includes the in the lower area and 5-6 m/s in the higher flattening surface that frames the 600-700 area, especially on crests [4]. Considering metres limit of the Bra şov Depression. At its geographic position and according to this erosion level its hills from Dryed Aita „Romanian Geography - Physical (Dryed Aita Hollow) are connected [9]. Geogrhaphy” - the studied district frames itself within the temperate - continental 4.3. Climatic conditions climate: - Provincial climate district no. I - oceanic 4.3.1. Thermic conditions influence; - Lower mountains climate region; The characteristic climate of the researched - Climate subregion of the Oriental area is in close contact with the perpendicular Carpathians; position up against the displacement direction - Forestry district and mountain meadows; of the west air mass of the Baraolt and Bodoc - Complex topoclimate of the Harghita - crests. Although they have a lower altitude Baraolt Mountains; compared to the other crests in the Oriental - Complex topoclimate of the Bra şov Carpathians, in their ascension on the Depression. flanks from the Transylvanian Depression, According to Koppen, the studied district aeration masses form orographic rainfall is part of D.f.b.x climate region, where: D - and in their descendence on the eastern boreal climate, fixed snow bedding with flank, a adiabatic heat takes place while the cold humid winter; f - adequate rainfall all fumes quantity runs low (from 600 mm/year year long; b - the media warmest temperature to 500 mm/year). of the month is under 22 oC, but at least 4 o Medium yearly temperature is 7.8 C, months a year is over 10 oC; x - the maximum o aprox. 23 C amplitude that decreses along pluviometric is at the begining of summer with the altitude increase. and the mininum is at the end of winter [7]. 16 Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Bra şov • Series II • Vol. 5 (54) No. 1 - 2012

4.4. Hydrological conditions studying the management plan for the forest district situated in the target district The studied district taken to study is part and taking into consideration my own of the hydrographyc pond of the Olt river, observations [11]. medium superior area. The principal affluents are: the Iar ăş brook, H ăghig, Araci, Vârghi ş, Cormo ş, Baraolt, Aita, , Jambor and the Black river that has two affluents: the Beldii brook and the Lisn ăului Valley. Water filling is permanent for the Olt River and its main affluents, alternating with the secondary valleys. The water discharge grows especially in spring when Fig. 2. Soil distribution on the researched there is plenty of rainfall mixed with the district snow melting season, but the discharge is minimal in winter. Its density is 0.8-1.0 As observed, the most representative soil km/km 2 in the mountainous area and 0.5- type is euricambisoil (30%) closely followed 0.6 km/km 2 in the hill area [10]. by luvosoil (26%), districambosoil (24%), preluvosoil (12%), rendzina (3%) aluviosoil 4.5. Edaphic conditions and histosoil (2%) and alosoil (under 1%). In Table 1 is presented the soil samples In Figure 2 is presented the soil types tests report from the Baraolt and Bodoc distribution in the researched district after Mountains.

Soil samples tests report from the Baraolt and Bodoc Mountains Table 1

pH pH C/N C/N Bases Bases district district Texture Texture Horizon Horizon Hydrogen Hydrogen Humus % Humus Level (cm) (cm) Level exchange % exchange % exchange saturation % % saturation soil type, soil soil soil type, Degree of base base of Degree capacity (V) % (V) capacity Total exchange exchange Total Total N g% N Total Compartment, Compartment, Production Unit, Production subtype, Forestry Forestry subtype, Ao 0-20 5.18 2.4 10.69 7.2 9.2 16.4 43.90 0.13 31 A, UP I Vâlcele, A/B 20-35 5.46 1.2 5.31 8.0 7.8 15.2 52.63 01.3 LP Preluvosoils, Şuga ş Bt 35-70 5.63 10.0 6.8 16.8 59.52 AP 35 G, UP II Sfântu Ao 0-20 5.12 3.6 20.9 5.2 8.4 13.6 38.23 0.10 Gheorghe, Luvosoils, El 20-35 5.54 13.6 8.0 21.6 62.96 LAP Şuga ş Bt 35-90 5.66 18.8 7.2 26.0 72.31 AP Ao 0-20 4.99 3.84 18.5 3.6 8.0 11.6 31.03 0.12 73 B, UP I Vâlcele, LP Districambosoils, Bv 20-45 5.35 4.4 6.0 10.4 42.31 1 LP Şuga ş Bv 2 45-100 5.62 12.0 5.6 17.6 68.18

1. Compartment unit 31 A lies at 650 m horizon and prismatic in the Bt horizon. It north-west altitude with an average slope has a moderate-acid reaction and a base of 28 0. The determined soil type is typical saturation higher than 53% in the Bt prelovosoil. Tested soil is formed on flysch horizon. The soil is poor in humus and marl sandstone, it has a silty loam texture nitrogen. The soil has a medium trophicity in the A/B horizon and silty clay in the Bt so the existent 100 years beechwood horizon, granular structure in the Ao represents the 3 rd production class. Aparaschivei, O., et al.: Study of Phytogeographic and Physical Conditions … 17

2. Compartment unit 35 G lies at 560 m forest hill sites - 40% [11]. altitude, north-east exposion with an The researches was made in the average slope of 35 0. The determined soil premountain and mountain beechwoods, type is typical luvosoil. The researched soil premountain and mountain that which is formed of sandstone chalky, it presents a represents 48% of the Baraolt and Bodoc silty clayey loam texture in the El horizon mountainous area. and silty clay texture in the Bt horizon. It 1. FM - FD4 - Beech mountain and has a crumbly structure in the Ao horizon, piedmont sites: this vegetation floor is the granular structure in El horizon and best represented one with a widespread angular blocky structure in Bt horizon. It area over 48%. The lythologic sublayer is has a moderate - acid reaction in all the diverse and it covers the majority of the profiles. Due to the large edaphic volume, formation met on the researched area; in the moderate - acide reaction and the this sublayer eutricambosoils and medium - nitrogen content, it is very fertile districambosoils are usually formed and for the beechwoods, in fact the stands in rarely luvosoils. The relief is scrapped, it this experimental holding is 48 cm in has a moderate relief energy and with a medium diameter, 34 cm medium hight preponderant average slope of 16 0-30 0. The and it can be framed within the production flanks are sunny and partly sunny (at class no 2 (Table 1). higher altitude) and rarely shadowed. The 3. Compartment unit 73B lies at 720 m climatic conditions of this floor are lightly altitude, north-west exposion with an favourable for the blended floor, it has average slpoe of 25 0. higher air temperatures (around 1-3 0C) The determined soil type is typical and lower but sufficient rainfall . The districambosoil. The reasearched soil is forestry vegetation is particularly made of formed on flysch marl, it presents a silty beech stand. Here and there we can see the loam horizon in A/B and Bv, a granular hornbeam, particulary the black alder in structure in Ao and angular blocky areas with phenomena of gleyzation and structure in Bv horizon. It has a moderate- pseudogleyzation. The productivity of the acid reaction in all the profiles and a base stands is preponderant medium, but in the saturation lower than 53% in the Bv 1 deep rock free content soil the beech horizon. The soil content is low in humus productivity is high [11]. and very low in nitrogen and it has a medium trophicity so that the existent 5. Conclusions beechwood can be framed within the production class no 3. The research emphasizes the close correlation between the solification factors 4.6. Forest site types and the studied soil types inside the researched sites as well as between these The vegetation distribution in the Baraolt factors and their morphological and Bodoc Mountains is: characteristics and physical and chemical - FM3 - Norway spruce forest mountain properties of the soil. sites - 2% The chemical characteristics that the - FM2 - Mixed forest mountainous sites - studied soil has in the surface horizon are 10% influenced by vegetation and by the nature of - FM1 + FM4 - Beech mountain and the parent material in the secondary horizon. piedmont sites - 48% The fertility level of the studied soil - FD3 - European beech and sessile oak diversifies from medium to inferior, 18 Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Bra şov • Series II • Vol. 5 (54) No. 1 - 2012 depending on deepness, deep rock content, Succession in Bodoc Mountains ). In: reaction, nutrient element content. Contribu ţii Botanice, Cluj Napoca, The component elements of soil and climate 1977, p. 55 -68. have a mixed activity and they influence 6. Marcu, M.: Meteorologie şi climatologie both the mountain and the premountain site forestier ă (Forest Meteorology and quality beech stands forest resort. Climatology ). Bucure şti. Editura Ceres, We observe a close correlation between 1983. the edaphic volume of the soil, its trophicity 7. Mihai, E.: Depresiunea Bra şov - studiu and the beech stands productivity level. climatic (Bra şov Depression - Climatic Study ). Bucure şti. Editura Academiei, Acknowledgements 1975. 8. Orghidan, N.: Mun ţii Baraolt. Extras This paper is supported by the Sectoral din Omagiu lui Constatin Kiri ţescu Operational Programme Human Resources (Baraolt Mountains - An Extract from Development (SOP HRD), financed from Constantin Kiri ţescu Tribute ). Bucure şti. the European Social Fund and by the Editura Cartea Româneasc ă, 1937. Romanian Government under the contract 9. Pauca, A.: Preciz ări referitoare la number POSDRU/88/1.5/S/59321. zonarea şi etajarea vegeta ţiei din România (Vegetation Zonning in References ). Bucure şti. 1963. 10. Târziu, D., Spârchez, Gh.., Dinc ă, L.: 1. Băcăin ţan, N.: Mun ţii Baraolt - studiu Pedologie cu elemente de geologie geomorfologic (Baraolt Mountains - (Pedology with Elements of Geology ). Geomorphologic Study ). Bucure şti. Bra şov. Editura Silvodel, 2004. Editura Academiei Române, 1999. 11. Târziu, D., Spârchez, Gh.: Elemente de 2. Băcăin ţan, N., Kovács, Al.: Observa ţii geologie şi geomeorfologie (Elements preliminare asupra rela ţiilor sol - of Geology and Geomorphology ). vegeta ţie în Mun ţii Bodoc Litografia Universit ăţii Transilvania (Preliminary Observatons on Soil- din Bra şov, 1991. Vegetation Relations in Bodog 12. Târziu, D.: Pedologie şi sta ţiuni Mountains ). Bra şov. Aluta, 1976. forestiere, Edi ţia a II-a (Pedology and 3. Danciu, M.: Studii geobotanice în Forest Sites, Second Edition ). Bra şov. sudul Mun ţilor Baraolt (Geobotanical Editura Silvodel, 2006. Studies in Southers Baraolt 13. *** Geografia României: Carpa ţii Mountains ). Universitatea Bucure şti, Române şti şi Depresiunea Transilvaniei. 1974. Volumul III (Romanian Carpathians 4. Eigel, Gh.: Date climatologice şi and Transilvania Depression. Volume meteorologice referitoare la teritoriul III ). Bucure şti. Editura Academiei jude ţului (Climatic and Republicii Socialiste România, 1987. Meteorological Data Regarding 14. *** Amenajamentul Ocolului Silvic ). Direc ţia general ă Baraolt (Baraolt Forest District pentru agricultur ă, industrie alimentar ă Management Plan), 2008. şi ape - Casa Agronomului, 1972. 15. *** Amenajamentul Ocolului Silvic 5. Kovács, Al., Csürös, Şt.: Contribu ţii la Tăli şoara (T ăli şoara Forest District cunoa şterea succesiunii asocia ţiilor de Management Plan), 2007. plante din mun ţii Bodoc 16. http://www.wunderground.com/auto/ (Contributions to Vegetal Associations wxmap/global/stations/15215.html.